ZEN QUADRO Review // Antelope Audio // Galaxy converters in an affordable tabletop audio interface

[@MusicTechHelpGuy]

In this video I do a full overview and review of the new ZEN QUADRO USB-C audio interface from Antelope Audio. They've taken the same converters from their Galaxy series of interfaces and incorporated them into this tabletop unit. In addition to being a great piece of hardware for the studio, it is fantastic for content creators and streamers, because of its dual USB-C ports, which allow you to record audio to your mobile device - such as a phone or tablet. Enjoy! Check out the Zen Quadro here! ➛ en.antelopeaudio.com Download my 35-part Logic starter course here! ➛ www.logicproguide.com For mixing/mastering work, contact me at my website ➛ carneymediagroup.com Follow MusicTechHelpGuy on Instagram ➛ instagram.com/musictechhelpguy Support the channel on Patreon ➛ patreon.com/musictechhelpguy Chapters: 0:00 Overview 2:22 Hardware Features 5:47 Software Features 11:07 Hardware Controls 13:20 Musical Examples 15:30 Wrap-Up

[@j_wah3084]

Hi MTHG! Thanks for this video. Very helpful. I have a question about the control panel/mixer app. Do I have to use the Antelope launcher EVERY time I want to open the mixer panel? Or is opening the launcher to access the mixer/control panel only required for installation/initial setup? I'm considering getting a Quadro and your feedback is helpful. Thanks for your time.

[@litlords]

Also agree on the standalone app. Slows down workflow having to open the launcher first.

[@rombsix]

Can you print the reverb? (i.e. *record* with the reverb, not just monitor it) - by the way, to answer your question: you can switch the preamps from Mic to Line to Hi-Z (the latter for A1 and A2 only) through the physical buttons on the device itself by hitting the GAIN button to get you to the preamp you want to change the setting on, then hitting the rotary knob (just a single tap). Everytime you single tap the rotary knob, you cycle (for example, on A1) from Mic to Line to Hi-Z then back to Mic, Line, Hi-Z, and so on. :)

[@litlords]

Had one for some time now. Hopefully the problems with the software are ironed out before commercial release. 48v pp has a bug not turning off when changing presets and showing as off but mic still hot. Theres a now known bug with power gate and master de esser where if you turn off the unit and plug back in then load a preset with these effects on, it malfunctions and ramps the gain up and high frequency up very distorted. Theres also the issue of the clocking safety release where when working in a daw you can’t change presets because of USB playback so you have to change audio devices or turn your audio engine off and stop anything else running Audio to then change your preset on the device which is a major workflow hamper. They said they will consider feedback on this topic so I’m hoping they’d make it the same as it was on the Zengo where you could just change presets whenever no matter what was going on. Also, if you’re familiar with the Zengo, you could press the button combinations to save a preset and load a preset on the Zen Quadro you have to menu dive, which makes it a bit slower. I don’t understand why that feature did not carryover but its an easy software fix. Also on the loop back have you figured out how to make it not be mono and super distorted? That’s a problem. I’m running into on both the Zen goand the Zen Quadro. I’m not sure if it’s a user on my part or bug on the software. There’s likely more bugs to be discovered an effect combinations that can probably cause some problems so experimentation will have to be done. overall the device is great on paper and also sounds great they just need to get this software down.

[@giuseppeferrara6384]

hi! is there a way to turn off / switch off completely other than by unplugging the power cable?

[@vewilli]

Cool overview of this Audio interface. I know it’s a high quality product as I have the ZenQ TB and the Edge Solo microphone. So there is no need to buy the Quattro. I agree with what you say about it, especially the thing with the control panel app. Thanks a lot to „The Teacher“ who you can learn everything about recording, mixing, etc. … 💪🏻👏🏻👍🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@siegfriedthaa3882]

@MusicTechHelpGuy have you had by any chance the device tested with a Playstation on the secondary USB? And is it possible, to mute the mic input with a HW function like the outputs? PS: I know, using this with a Playstation will be overkill.

[@sleepwalkerinlove]

Hello. I have a few questions. I see that this audio interface has four outputs. Am I correct in assuming that one pair can be configured as outputs 3-4? One of my needs is to send a metronome to the drummer while working with 4-channel playbacks. Also, do you know what additional gear I might need to expand the number of inputs and outputs? And is it possible to configure different mixes for the headphone outputs? I’m looking to buy a single device that can handle both live performances and recording. If everything aligns, I’m seriously considering purchasing it. Thanks!

[@VallyTheHitman]

How does this compare to the Apogee Symphony MKll and Symphony Desktop soundwise? Really curious.

[@svenson745]

Can this device be turned off without plugging out the USB cable?

[@Thegreenstudio.]

How do you think it compares to the Audient ID 4 MK2?

[@luiscepeda3058]

When you're recording voice, can you balance the amount of the instrumental volumen so you can listen to yourself real-time and record comfortably?

[@jvices]

Great review, can these bypass the preamps?

[@MusicTechHelpGuy]

Like if you were using an external mic preamp? Yes. Just use Line Input, that bypasses the mic preamp, but also requires a line level signal.

[@jvices]

@@MusicTechHelpGuy exactly thanks J

[@josephdaniel7777]

I've been waiting for your review on the quadro.. love the video.. I have a question... are the headphone amps better than that of the zen Q? Cuz I heard the zen Q's headphone amps weren't powerful enough compared to the competition. So is there an improvement with the headphone amps on the quadro or is the same thing as the zen q?... thanks...

[@MusicTechHelpGuy]

Interestingly, the Zen Q manual just says "2 × Stereo Headphone Outputs" but doesn't give any tech specs about the HP outs. The Zen Quadro manual says "Headphone outputs - Dynamic Range: 118 dB (A-Weighed), Output impedance: 10 Ω". Since they are listing the spec on the Zen Quadro, it's possible, but I'm not sure.

[@josephdaniel7777]

@MusicTechHelpGuy okay thanks.. but if you get to find out, please I'd love to know. If the quadro is as loud as the apogee duet 3 headphone amp, then it's good enough for me...

[@foolaround]

@@josephdaniel7777 the quadro has 10ohms headphone out impedance compared to the zen q, which is 27, so the quadro will be louder

[@josephdaniel7777]

@@foolaround thanks.. I really needed the information.. appreciate it.

[@frankmaoro4287]

Great video, great product!

[@raft899]

Which one is the best investment Zen quadro or babyface pro fs

[@sandychahal1200]

Babyface pro fs . I have antelope audio zen tour . Antelope has shit driver and costumer support.

[@dragonstone6594]

I hate these launchers and require login. Great review.

[@foolaround]

it actually requires login only for activating the device the first time, otherwise not needed for daily use

[@dragonstone6594]

@@foolaround Its shouldn't require anything. If you just bought this new or used and their servers went off or if they went out business or you don't have an internet connection is useless. And so on.

[@HarmoBeatsProd]

I was planning to buy the zen Q but i just discovered the Quadro, so what do you think it makes them different, and thank you for the vedeo loved it!!

[@MusicTechHelpGuy]

There are three main differences between the Q and Quadro. (1) The Q only has 2 mic/line inputs, while the Quadro has 4. (2) The Q has two separate instrument inputs on the front, while the Quadro's front Mic/Line inputs can be switched over to instrument inputs. (3) The Q has an option for thunderbolt, while the Quadro is USB-C only; however, the bonus is that you get 2 USB-C ports. So you can record video with a phone, and the audio will go straight to the phone video, or live stream, or podcast, etc. Or you can record to two different devices at once. I was able to get my iPhone to actually power the unit, with no extra power. So if you need the 4 mic/line inputs, or if you need the dual USB-C functionality - the Quadro might be best for you. But if you don't need those things, and 2 mic/line inputs is enough, the Q will work just fine.

[@HarmoBeatsProd]

@@MusicTechHelpGuy thank you so much, appreciate your detailed response, so if I understood correctly, there is no difference in conversion quality, or construction?

[@MusicTechHelpGuy]

The construction is very similar - metal outer box. But it doesn't have that forward slant that the Q has, because it has 2 additional XLR/Line ports on the front. Otherwise very similar construction. As far as converters go, the Quadro should be somewhat better, because they took the Galaxy converters and put them in the Quadro.

[@HarmoBeatsProd]

​@@MusicTechHelpGuy thanks a lot, appreciate that. We need a video for this audio interface for a complete audio test haha.

[@litlords]

Zen q has more dsp than the quadro. Quadro has the same dsp as zen go

[@JoshuaEmmanuelBessong]

Can you connect 4 monitors and play them back at the same time?

[@foolaround]

yes

[@jheymygradosespinoza9369]

Do you think It work's well with my iPhone and my PC 💻 in the same time?

[@borjacabanas]

Can I stream the following to my phone? : 1 a backingtrack 2 a live guitar with amp plugins from the daw, like neural dsp etc. Thank you!

[@MusicTechHelpGuy]

It has loopback, so you can set it up to stream those elements to your phone as well, in addition to a live mic.

[@borjacabanas]

@@MusicTechHelpGuy thank you

[@romangonzalez4285]

Would you choose this over the Apollo Twin X Duo? Dont mind the price, just looking at specs and features

[@titovalasques]

It's like Canon vs Nikon in cameras, both are excellent and do the job but people become tribal about this kind of stuff. If this is your first interface of either brand I would simply choose whichever suits your price point and practical features (such as how many and location (on unit) of inputs and outputs to minimize mess on desk and/or ease of reaching said sockets. To me those things are far more important given the quality of both Antelope and Apollo. Given that MusicTechHelpGuy is predominantly a Logic Pro channel I'm assuming you're on Mac in which case drivers really shouldn't matter. Just remember, either have their own propriety plugins and once you choose you're kind of 'locked into' whichever the same way (returning to my initial metaphor) you're locked into whichever lenses fits your camera bayonet. Personally I never bought into either of the two because I never felt the need to run plugins on separate processors even though it will ease the workload on your computer processor quite a bit.

[@romangonzalez4285]

@@titovalasques Well, theres a few other things to consider besides that. Thunderbolt vs usb-c, quality of AD/DA converters...

[@titovalasques]

@@romangonzalez4285 Although USB-C is technically going to give you better latency, standard USB is so fast today that it really shouldn’t matter. The only reason I might care about connectivity might be if the interface works with an iPad or iPhone if that is a requirement. And with the high quality of the baseline AD/DA converters found on practically every audio interface today (with maybe a couple of exceptions, perhaps) I would be more worried about my mixing skills, room treatment and monitors before I nerd out on the converters, especially if your choice is between Antelope and Apollo. I’m not saying the things you brought up aren’t important, I just wouldn’t put them on the top of my list.

[@valgimorais602]

i dont understand how you guys keep on boosting the antelope products whit big problems of stability and drivers

[@MusicTechHelpGuy]

Other than the firewire issue I identified in this video, I've never had a stability or driver problem with Antelope products working on macOS. I'm assuming you're a PC user? What kind of issues are you having?

[@shiinemusic]

you are the worst karaoke singer in the world but number one logic master on KZbin

[@jamesbastani4295]

How do you think it compares to the Apogee Duet 3?

[@MusicTechHelpGuy]

You probably get more bang for your buck with the Zen Quadro. It's $100 more, but you get 4 mic/line inputs, 2 of which can also be instrument inputs, two independent headphone outs, ADAT, SPDIF, and line outs if you use hardware. Not to mention DSP, and a larger catalog of DSP effects for input, compared to Apogee. The one thing you have to ask yourself is if you prefer Apogee preamps and converters over Antelope's preamps and converters. Antelope's clean preamps tend to be a little more hyped in the top end, which some people might like, but I'd highly recommend using one of the DSP preamps whenever making recordings with the Zen Quadro. You can hear the stark difference from example #1 (clean preamp) and example #2 with the 1073 preamp model.