![]() In Antelope’s defence, though, if you require more comprehensive monitoring control they offer a good dedicated analogue monitor controller, the Satori, which would make a great companion for the Pure2. For instance, it’s not possible to monitor the analogue inputs before the signal passes through the A–D converter. Nifty connections apart, the monitor-control functionality is rather basic. By assigning the DAW software’s monitor outputs to the Pure2’s monitor outputs, it’s possible to listen to the digital processing applied after the analogue processing, making Pure2 a competent mastering tool. This is desirable in a mastering situation, when a mix may need to be processed in the analogue domain, then recorded through the Pure2 and the result monitored in real time. It’s also possible to monitor the analogue inputs while a stereo mix is sent from the DAW to the analogue outputs. The source for each output can be selected individually, thus it’s possible to choose to listen to the USB 1–2 outputs (which could be the main stereo mix), while the headphone output is set to the USB 3–4 outputs (for example, to send a cue mix to the artist’s headphones). The control panel’s GUI is divided into four tabs, the first showing the volume settings for the main, monitor and headphone outputs, of which the last two have associated mono, dim and mute buttons. The included software control–panel utility automatically ensures that all software is updated to the latest version, assuming the studio computer is connected to the Internet. The analogue connections are accompanied by small trim pots that allow the user to fine-tune their levels manually. The rear panel is rather more densely populated, with the following connections, running from left to right: AC power input, word-clock input, 10M input (which makes it possible to synchronise the internal clock with Antelope’s 10MHz ‘super reference’ clock), Toslink, S/PDIF and AES3 inputs and outputs, USB port, eight word-clock outputs (which allow the Pure2 to serve as a master clock) and, finally, two analogue XLR/TRS combi inputs, two analogue XLR main outputs and two TRS monitor outputs. Although quite small, the level meters have an accurate response and provide a very clear indication of the signal level. The display features three level meters, which show the analogue, USB and digital input levels, as well as indicating the clock source and currently selected sample rate. The front–panel layout is clean and simple, with a power button, LEDs indicating the digital sync source, buttons for changing the sample rate, a volume knob, a button for toggling between monitor or headphone volume control, three preset buttons and a headphones output. Like all Antelope Audio’s products, the Pure2, with its metal buttons, sleek layout and OLED display, has an appealing, professional feel. As a happy Orion 32 owner, I jumped at the opportunity to evaluate their new Pure2, a stereo A–D/D–A converter with built-in monitor controller and USB audio–interfacing facilities. ![]() We take Antelope’s latest mastering–grade converter and monitor controller for a spinĪntelope Audio may be a fairly young company but they’ve garnered an enviable reputation both for their expensive high–end A–D/D–A converters and master clocks, and more recently for their Orion 32 and Zen Studio audio interfaces, which draw on the same technology and offer very impressive value for money. ![]()
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