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This article contains complete instructions for Volt 2 hardware controls and connections. Note: To learn how to set up Volt with audio software and how to redeem your bundled software, please see UA Connect with Volt Interfaces. |
Article Contents
Getting Started
To begin with setup, follow the steps below. The UA Connect software guides you through the process step-by-step.
- Download and install UA Connect from www.uaudio.com/volt/start
- Launch the UA Connect application
- Follow the instructions within the app
To learn how to set up Volt with recording software and how to redeem your bundled software, please see UA Connect with Volt Interfaces.
Introduction & Overview
A Letter from Bill Putnam, Jr.
Thank you for choosing Volt as part of your music making experience. We know that any new piece of gear requires an investment of time and money — and our goal is to make your investment pay off.
Universal Audio’s family of audio interfaces represent the best examples of what UA has stood for over its long history; from its original founding in the 1950s by my father, to our current vision of delivering the best of both analog and digital audio technologies.
Volt’s best-in-class audio quality serves as its foundation, but this is just the beginning. Volt is also the perfect "on-the-go" audio interface and features an exclusive analog Vintage Mic Preamp circuit, inspired by our legendary UA 610 mic preamp. Plus, some Volt models feature the analog 76 Compressor inspired by our iconic 1176 limiter heard on thousands of classic records. Volt also includes MIDI for connection to a wide range of devices, and direct monitoring capability for latency-free recording.
At UA, we're dedicated to the idea that technology should serve the creative process — not be a barrier. These are the very ideals my father embodied as he invented audio equipment. We believe Volt will earn its way into your creative workflow by providing stunning fidelity and rock-solid reliability for years to come.
Please feel free to reach out to us via our website www.uaudio.com, and via our social media channels. We look forward to hearing from you, and thank you once again for choosing Universal Audio.
Bill Putnam, Jr.
Volt 2 USB Recording Studio
Supercharge your music with legendary sound.
Start recording right out of the box with a high-quality 2-in / 2-out USB audio interface, award-winning DAW, and suite of UAD plug-ins and instruments including classic Teletronix LA‑2A compressors and Pultec EQs, plus new favorites like PolyMAX Synth, Century Tube Channel Strip, and Oxide Tape Recorder.
Built with timeless UA analog sound, Volt 2 USB Recording Studio gives you the sound of your favorite records.
- Get the sound of UA’s classic 610 preamps and professional-grade converters to capture every detail and nuance of your performance with up to 24-bit / 192 kHz quality
- Record and mix with the award-winning LUNA Digital Audio Workstation, giving you the sound and workflow of a real analog studio
- Create using the same UAD plug-ins and instruments trusted by top industry pros – for the sound of your favorite records right in your home studio
- Level up your recording and mixing skills with tips and tutorials for beginners to advanced users
Record with Studio-Quality Sound at Home
Powered by Universal Audio’s award-winning preamp and converter technology, Volt elevates any recording with pro studio sound, even for those just starting.
Get Analog Warmth with Vintage Mic Preamp Mode
Plug in your mic or instrument, press the Vintage button, and experience the rich, full sound of the renowned UA 610 tube preamp — one of the most recorded mic preamps of all time.
Sound Like Your Favorite Records
We designed LUNA to bring the sound of classic tape machines and analog mixing consoles into a modern DAW, with intuitive workflows and unlimited track counts to capture your wildest ideas.
Record & Mix with Premium UAD Plug-Ins
Mix like the pros with a suite of UAD plug-ins and instruments including classic Teletronix LA‑2A compressors and Pultec EQs, plus new favorites like PolyMAX Synth, Century Tube Channel Strip, Galaxy Tape Echo, Pure Plate Reverb, Oxide Tape Recorder, and Verve Analog Machines Essentials.
Level up Your Production Skills
From beginner tutorials to advanced techniques, Volt 2 USB Recording Studio includes tons of helpful content to get you up and running fast, plus a 3-month trial of PureMix Pro.
- Desktop 2-in / 2-out USB audio interface with 2 preamps and class-leading 24-bit / 192 kHz audio conversion
Vintage Mic Preamp mode for recording your voice, guitar, or any instrument with the rich, full sound of an iconic UA tube preamp - Listen in realtime as you record with Direct Monitoring for latency-free recording
Bus-powered and class-compliant for hassle-free set-up with Mac, PC, iPad, and iPhone using the included USB-C to USB-A cable - Studio-quality headphone amplifier for loud, clear monitoring
- 48V phantom power for condenser microphones
- Stylish, rugged construction built to withstand years of use
- Connect MIDI controllers, synths, and drum machines through the onboard 1-in / 1-out MIDI connection
System Requirements
Please visit this article for Volt system requirements.
Volt 2 Hardware Descriptions
All hardware controls, connections, and indicators are explained in this section.
Front Panel
(1) XLR/TRS Combo Inputs
Connect your microphones, instruments, or line level sources here. The combo input connectors accept XLR and ¼” (6.35 mm) plugs.
A microphone is typically connected with an XLR connector, and an instrument or line level signal is connected with a ¼” (6.35 mm) TS or TRS plug.
Preamp gain and impedance automatically adjusts for line or mic signals, based on whether the plug is XLR or ¼”, along with the state of the INST button.
Press the INST button to toggle the impedance and gain of the line input to accommodate a Hi-Z instrument, such as an electric guitar or bass.
Tip: The Vintage Preamp can be used on mic, line, and instrument inputs.
Balanced and unbalanced connections
- The line inputs on Volt are balanced when connected with TRS connectors to balanced equipment.
- Use TRS (balanced) audio cables for the best results with balanced audio sources. Balanced equipment uses three conductor wiring (via TRS or XLR connectors) to reduce interference and electrical noise, and to provide better audio quality over longer cable runs. Use TS (unbalanced) cables for instruments that are not balanced, such as an electric guitar or bass, or an unbalanced synth or sound module. TS connections may also be suitable for shorter input cables, where electrical interference noise may not be an issue.
(2) Gain Knobs
These knobs adjust the preamp gain for the microphones, instruments, or line level devices attached to the associated inputs. For optimum gain, rotate the gain knob to adjust the input signal level while monitoring the source that is connected, so the input meters (3) show signal but do not light red.
(3) Input Meters
The Input Meters show the signal level of the input, which is controlled by the Gain knob. The red input LED lights when the input signal is near 0 dB. Tip: Clipping occurs when the signal is overloaded. When clipping occurs, the top of the waveform is squared off, creating distortion that may be unpleasant. Clipping has creative uses, but is usually avoided. To prevent clipping, adjust the gain so only green and yellow meters light, and the red LED doesn't light.
Tip: Clipping occurs when the signal is overloaded. When clipping happens, the top of the waveform is squared off, creating distortion that may be unpleasant. Clipping has creative uses, but is usually avoided. To prevent clipping, adjust the gain so only green and yellow meters light, and the red LED doesn't light.
(4) Vintage Buttons
Press these buttons to toggle the Vintage Preamps. The Vintage Preamps can be used on mic, line, and instrument inputs.
The Vintage Preamp adds a carefully crafted analog tube preamp emulation, inspired by Universal Audio’s all-tube 610 console preamplifier, to the sound. When the button is lit orange, the circuit is active.
(5) Instrument Buttons (INST)
Press these buttons to toggle the impedance and gain of the line inputs to accommodate Hi-Z instruments, such as electric guitar or bass. These buttons are lit green when the Hi-Z inputs are enabled.
Tip: Generally speaking, the INST button should be off when connecting a line-level source such as a keyboard or sound module, unless you need more gain.
(6) 48V Phantom Power Button
Press this button to toggle 48V phantom power at the XLR microphone inputs. The LED blinks red while phantom power is activating or powering off. The LED is lit solid red when phantom power is active. Both XLR inputs receive phantom power when enabled.
Phantom power is required by most condenser microphones, but is usually not required with dynamic microphones or ribbon microphones (phantom power can damage some ribbon microphones).
Note: Disable phantom power before you connect or disconnect the microphone.
(7) Monitor Knob
Rotate this knob to adjust the volume of speakers connected to the Monitor outputs. The output signal level meters indicate the output levels.
(8) Headphone Output
Connect stereo headphones to this output. Headphones are connected with a ¼” (6.35 mm) TRS plug. If your headphones have a ⅛” (3.5 mm) plug, use a TRS ⅛” to ¼” adapter.
(9) Headphone Volume Knob
Adjust the headphone volume with this knob. The headphone volume control is independent from the Monitor volume control.
Note: The monitor output and headphone signals are the same.
(10) Direct Monitoring Button
Press this button to cycle through available direct monitoring options.
Direct monitoring is on when the button is lit blue or orange, and off when the button is unlit.
Important: Direct monitoring applies to the input signals only. You always hear audio from your computer or audio software regardless of this setting.
- ON (Orange) — When the button is lit orange, the inputs are panned to the left and right in stereo.
- ON (Blue) — When the button is lit blue, the inputs are panned to the center in mono.
Direct monitoring notes
- When enabled, direct monitoring slightly reduces the volume from your audio software so you can clearly hear your input signals.
- When direct monitoring is on, disable the software monitoring feature in your audio software to prevent signal doubling, which can make your input sound thin or “phasey.”
- When direct monitoring is off, you may notice your inputs have latency (a slight delay) before they are heard, as a result of buffering and signal processing by the audio software.
What is direct monitoring?
Use direct monitoring on Volt to hear your input signals with no delay in your headphones and monitor speakers.
With direct monitoring, you hear the input signals directly from the Volt hardware with no delay or latency, bypassing your audio software’s buffers
When you monitor input signals through your audio software, those signals pass through the software before you hear them from the Volt monitor and headphone outputs. These signals use the software buffer, which causes latency — an amount of delay that increases as the buffer size is increased.
Use direct monitoring when you are recording sources that you don’t need to monitor through your software. For example, use direct monitoring for vocals or instruments that don’t require you to listen to effects or plug-ins in your software.
(11) Host Indicator
The host indicator is lit blue when Volt is recognized by the computer or device.
Rear Panel
(12) Monitor Outputs
Connect your stereo speaker system to the monitor outputs. Connect the left speaker to Monitor 1/L and the right speaker to Monitor 2/R. You can use TS (tip-sleeve) or TRS (tip-ring-sleeve) ¼” (6.35mm) cables.
Balanced and unbalanced connections
- The outputs on Volt are balanced when connected with TRS connectors to balanced equipment.
- Use TRS (balanced) audio cables for the best results with a balanced stereo speaker system. Balanced equipment uses three conductor wiring to reduce interference and electrical noise, and to provide better audio quality over longer cable runs. TS connections may be suitable for shorter output cables, where electrical interference noise may not be an issue.
Note: The monitor outputs are not powered. You will need to connect the cables to either powered speakers or an amp with speakers.
(13) MIDI I/O
You can connect a MIDI device to Volt with standard 5-pin MIDI DIN cables. Connect the MIDI OUT of your device to the MIDI IN on Volt, and the MIDI IN of the device to the MIDI OUT on Volt.
You may not need to make both connections. For example, a MIDI controller might only be connected to the MIDI IN on Volt, and a MIDI sound module might only be connected to the MIDI OUT from Volt.
(14) USB-C
Connect Volt to a USB 2.0 (or higher) port on your computer with a USB-C to USB-A cable (included), or with another cable.
For example, you can connect with a USB-C to USB-C cable if your computer has a USB-C port. For iOS or iPad devices, connect the interface with a USB-C cable (iPads with USB-C) or with the Apple Lightning to USB Camera Adapter (other iPadOS and iOS devices).
Note: Volt is bus powered when connected to ports that meet USB 2.0 specifications. However, some USB ports, such as those on low-quality hubs, don’t meet USB specs and cannot supply adequate bus power. If Volt doesn’t power on, connect Volt to external 5VDC power to compensate for the underpowered USB port.
(15) 5VDC Power
Volt is bus powered when connected to a USB port that supplies adequate power. You can use the 5VDC connector to connect to power when required (for example, if you want to reduce power drain on an iPad or laptop, or if the USB port or hub is not able to provide enough power).
Tip: You can power Volt by connecting the included USB-A to barrel connector power cable to a USB power adapter, then connecting the barrel plug to this power inlet on Volt.
(16) Power Switch
Apply power to Volt with this switch.
(17) Kensington Security Slot
Use with Kensington-compatible security devices to secure Volt hardware.
Troubleshooting
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Problem |
Solution |
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No power |
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Host indicator doesn’t light |
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Crackling audio, dropouts, glitches |
Increase the buffer size setting in the software on your computer. When recording, you can use direct monitoring to record without latency at higher buffer sizes. |
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(PC) ASIO driver not available in DAW |
Install the Volt hardware driver with the UA Connect app. |
Volt 2 Specifications
For Volt 2 specifications, please visit this article.