Orion 32+ User manual
Orion32+ | Gen 3
Premium 64-channel Thunderbolt(TM)/U B AD/DA Converter
User Manual
1. Safety Notes
To reduce the risk of electrical shocks, fire, and related hazards:
Do not remove the screws, cover, or cabinet. There are no user-serviceable parts inside.
Refer servicing to qualified service personnel.
Do not e pose this device to rain, moisture or spillover of liquid of any kind.
Should any form of liquid or a foreign object enter the device, do not use it. Switch off
the device and then unplug it from the power source. Do not operate the device again
until the foreign object is removed or the liquid has completely dried and its residues fully
cleaned up. If in doubt, please consult the manufacturer.
Do not handle the power cables with wet hands!
Make sure the device is switched off when plugging/unplugging it to/from the power
source.
Avoid placing things on the cabinet or using the device in a narrow and poorly
ventilated place, which could affect its operation or the operation of other closely located
components.
If anything goes wrong, turn off the device first and then unplug the power. Do not
attempt to repair the device yourself. Consult authorized service personnel or your dealer.
Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, stoves, or other devices
(including amplifiers) that produce heat.
Do not use harsh chemicals to clean your unit. Clean only with specialized cleaners for
electronics equipment.
Connect all your devices before powering your unit.
This unit is connected via its power cord to the mains safety earth. Never operate the unit
without this earth connection.
AC power supply cable should be routed so that it is not likely to be walked on or
squeezed by items placed upon or against it.
To completely turn off the device, unplug the power cable first from the outlet and then
from the rear panel of the unit.
Both occasional and continued e posure to high sound pressure levels from headphones
and speakers can cause
permanent ear damage.
Your unit should always be un-racked when traveling or in a flight case.
The device is designed to operate in a temperate environment, with a correct operating
temperature of 0-50 °C, 32-122 °F
2. Introduction
Thank you for choosing Antelope Audio!
Spawning three generations, the world's first 32-channel AD/DA converter just got a lot
better! Orion 32+ | Gen 3 e pands the unit's proven fle ibility and e emplary sound quality
even further, with industry-leading conversion and a major facelift. Just like its
predecessors, the Orion 32+ | Gen 3 stands ready to take over studios and live shows
across the globe once again!
Key Features
•Cutting-edge AD/DA converters with up to 129dB dynamic range
•FPGA-based real-time FX models of iconic studio gear
•Compatible with AFX2DAW software bridge
•64 channels of 24-bit, 192 kHz audio via ThunderboltTM
•Ultra-fast & stable custom Thunderbolt(TM) driver for Windows
•32 channels of 24-bit, 192 kHz audio via USB
•MADI, ADAT, S/PDIF, 8 DB25 connectivity
•Flawless 4th Generation 64-bit clocking and jitter management
•10 MHz input enables connection to 10M & 10MX atomic clocks
•Word Clock outputs for use as Master Clock
•Networking Control from multiple computers
•Fle ible routing, mi ing, and effects chaining via Windows & macOS app
•Freely movable and resizable Control Panels for multi-screen workflows
•Facelift for 2019 - gorgeous Carbon Grey faceplate
Enjoy working with the Orion32+ | Gen 3!
With compliments,
Team Antelope
3. Getting Started
1. Hook up to a power source and connect the Orion32+ | Gen 3 to your Windows or Mac
computer with a Thunderbolt(TM) * or USB cable (an USB cable is included). Power on the
unit.
2. Visit www. antelopeaudio.com and log in or create a customer account.
3. Head to the Antelope Audio Customer Support page and download the Antelope
Launcher. Windows users must download the drivers as well.
4. Install the software by following the on-screen instructions.
5. Open the Antelope Launcher and update the Orion 32+ | Gen 3 firmware & Control
Panel to the latest available version.
6. Launch the Orion 32+ | Gen 3 Control Panel from the Antelope Launcher.
7. Use the Antelope Audio Registration Wizard to register your device. Simply follow the
on-screen instructions.
8. Proceed with connecting your equipment and setting up the Orion 32+ | Gen 3 for use in
your preferred DAW.
* For more information, please visit the official Antelope Audio Windows Thunderbolt(TM)
driver page.
4. Front Panel Controls
From left to right:
1. Power button
Toggles standby/operation state
Press and hold the Power button to enter the System Menu, which lets you access the
following sub-menus:
1. Comm. Interface (choose between Thunderbolt(TM) and USB connectivity)
2. Device Info
3. Brightness
4. Scr Save Time
5. Scr Save Style
6. Factory Reset
7. 10M Calibration
Use the Frequency Up/Down buttons to navigate. Press the Frequency Down (?) button to
enter a menu. To confirm, press and hold the Frequency Down button.
2. Oven Clock light
When lit, this indicates Orion32+ | Gen 3 is clocked by its own internal clock.
3. Lock light
When lit, this indicates Orion32+ | Gen 3 is locked to the Digital input (S/PDIF, MADI,
DB25).
4. Atomic Clock Lock light
When lit, this indicates Orion32+ | Gen 3 is locked to the Antelope Audio 10M/10MX
Atomic Master Clock. The Oven Clock lock light will automatically dim.
5. Frequency Up/Down buttons
Use these buttons to increase and decrease the device's sample rate. The following
choices are available: 32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, and 192kHz.
6. Display
Multi-function display * that shows the Sample Rate on the left and individual input/output
volume levels on the top and bottom meters ( up to 64 channels at a time, adjustable from
the software Control Panel).
* There's a protective film over the display, which may dim the illumination – feel free to
remove it.
7. Antelope button
Hold down the Antelope button to access the Control Menu *, which lets you adjust:
1. Clock Source
2. Peak Meter
3. Monitor Trim
4. Line Out Trim
5. Line In Trim
6. SR Conversion
7. S-MUX In
8. S-MUX Out
Use the Frequency Up/Down buttons to navigate. Press the Frequency Down (?) button to
enter a menu. To confirm, press and hold the Frequency Down button.
* To restore Factory Defaults:
1. nplug the power cable
2. Press and hold the Frequency p and Down buttons simultaneously
3. Plug the power cable back in.
8. Preset buttons (1-5)
Five Preset buttons store and recall your ‘favorite’ settings. The following functionality is
available:
1. Save Preset
2. Recall Preset
Use the Frequency Up/Down buttons to navigate. Press the Frequency Down (?) button to
enter a menu. To confirm, press and hold the Frequency Down button.
5. Rear Panel E plained
From left to right:
9. Mains Power Connection
The IEC connector supports a range from ~95-245 V. The device automatically
accommodates mains voltage in every country.
10. Word Clock Input
BNC connector for Word Clock reference signal.
11. 10M Input
This BNC Input Connector lets the Orion32+ | Gen 3 receive timing reference from an
Antelope Audio Atomic Clock, such as the 10M and 10MX, thereby increasing oscillator
accuracy, musical detail, and clock stability.
12. Word Clock Outputs
Two Word Clock Outputs wvith BNC connector.
13. S/PDIF Input/Output
75ohm S/PDIF connectors for use with compatible equipment.
14. ADAT Connectors
2 Inputs & 2 Outputs (up to 8 channels per line).
15. MADI Input/Output
1 MADI I/O Connector, up to 64 tracks input and 64 tracks output.
16. ThunderboltTM port
Enables you to connect your Orion32+ | Gen 3 to a ThunderboltTM port on a Mac or
Windows * computer using a Thunderbolt(TM) cable (not included).
* For more information, please visit the official Antelope Audio Windows Thunderbolt(TM)
driver page.
17. USB port - Type B
Orion32+ | Gen 3 uses an USB connector Type B and operates at up to 192kHz sample
rate under Windows & macOS.
18. Monitor Outputs
A stereo pair (2 TRS) of balanced outputs to connect a pair of studio monitors.
19. D-SUB 25pin Analog Outputs (on top)
Four connectors enable you to attach breakout cables, each with 8 lines.
20. D-SUB 25pin Analog Inputs (on bottom)
Four connectors enable you to attach breakout cables, each with 8 lines.
6. Software Control Panel
Routing Tab and Main View options
The Universal Panel view sits constantly on the upper half of the Control Panel, allowing
for quick access to the most important features.
Main view:
1. Power/Standby button
2. Levels meter
3. Meter Source display (dropdown tab allows you to select different sources to preview)
4. Clock Source
This dropdown menu lets you select how the Orion32+ | Gen 3 will be synchronized.
- Select Oven/10M for internal sync (with or without Atomic Clock * reference)
- W.C. (Word Clock) to sync the Orion32+ | Gen 3 to an e ternal device through the Word
clock input
- MADI **, ADAT, S/PDIF to sync with incoming digital signals
* Once an Atomic Clock is connected, it replaces ‘Oven’ in the Clock Source dropdown
menu.
** Orion32+ | Gen 3 supports sample rates higher than 48kHz for MADI and ADAT and
also supports S-Mu .
The following tables show what the various options for MADI and ADAT implement in order
to be consistent with the input/output of your other devices connected via MADI or ADAT.
Clock Source MADI Options (with or without the S-Mu option selected in Settings):
Clock ource Mode MADI Configuration
ample Rate Channels
MADI 44.1 kHz 64 ch
48 kHz 64 ch
MADI 2X 88.2 kHz 32 ch
96 kHz 32 ch
MADI 4X 176.4 kHz 16 ch
192 kHz 16 ch
Clock Source ADAT options: (Note that there is no S-Mu check-bo for ADAT as it is
automatically enabled when you select ADAT 2X or ADAT 4X):
Clock ource Mode MADI Configuration
ample Rate Channels
ADAT 44.1 kHz 8 ch
48 kHz 8 ch
ADAT 2X 88.2 kHz 4 ch
96 kHz 4 ch
ADAT 4X 176.4 kHz 2 ch
192 kHz 2 ch
5. Sample Rate select
6. Lock light
7. Presets
8. Audio source selector
9. Device selector
10. Settings
11. Info
12. Minimize
13. Close
14. Monitor volume knob
15. Mute output
16. Sessions – manage, save, load *
* By saving and loading your sessions using the two buttons on the right of the control
panel, you can always keep files for every song that you work on (recording, mi ing,
mastering).
Once you click save, you can select what you would like to save from all the settings. For
e ample, save the Mi er settings, AFX, Digital I/O, etc.
Once you click save, you can save your session as a file on your computer. So when you
load the file in the future, you can recall your session and have everything sounding
e actly the same.
Routing Tab
17. Undo/Redo Routing; Save/Load Set Up Files
18. How-to tutorials
19. Routing ‘To’ Section
20. Routing ‘From’ Section
Displays
21. ‘MP32 detected’ display (indicates if an MP32 unit is connected to your Orion32+ | Gen
3)
22. Connectivity display (indicates how your Orion32+ | Gen 3 is connected to your
computer -
via ThunderboltTM or USB)
Table of contents
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