This article contains complete instructions for Volt 476 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
• Introduction & Overview
• Hardware Descriptions
• Troubleshooting

 

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Getting Started

To begin with setup, follow the steps below. The UA Connect software guides you through the process step-by-step.

1. Download and install UA Connect from www.uaudio.com/volt/start 
2. Launch the UA Connect application
3. 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.

 

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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.

Supercharge your music with legendary sound.

Start recording right out of the box with a high-quality 4-in / 4-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 476 USB Recording Studio gives you the sound of your favorite records.

• Get the rich, full album-ready sound of UA’s classic 610 preamps with Vintage mode with up to 24-bit / 192 kHz quality and crystal clear converters
• Add clarity and punch to vocals, instruments, and more with an analog compressor based on UA’s renowned 1176
• 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
• Level up your recording and mixing skills with tips and tutorials for beginners to advanced users
• Take Volt anywhere with support for MacOS, Windows, iPad, iPhone (iOS 14+) for laptops, desktop, and mobile recording

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.

Control Volume Peaks with UA Compression

Get album-ready punch and presence with Volt 476's onboard 76 Compressor — an innovative analog circuit inspired by UA's renowned 1176 Limiting Amplifier. The 76 Compressor features presets to tame voice, guitars, synths, and drum machines. So you can just plug in, pick a setting, and play.

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 476 USB Recording Studio includes tons of helpful content to get you up and running fast, plus a 3-month trial of PureMix Pro.

Features

• Desktop 4-in / 4-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
• 76 Compressor adds clarity and punch to vocals, instruments, and other sources with analog circuit based on UA's renowned 1176
• 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.

 

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Volt 476 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 and 76 Compressor 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) 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. 

3) 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.

(4) 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.

(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. 

Top Panel

(6) Monitor Knob

Rotate this knob to adjust the volume of speakers connected to the Monitor outputs. The output signal level meters (14) indicate the output levels. 

(7) Gain Knobs

These knobs adjust the preamp gain for the microphones, instruments or line level devices attached to the inputs. 

For optimum gain, rotate the knob to adjust the input signal level while monitoring the source that is connected, so the input meter (12) shows signal but does not light red. The red input LED lights when the input signal is near 0 dB. 

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. 

(8) 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. 

(9) 76 Compressor Buttons

Press these buttons to engage the 76 Compressors. The 76 Compressors can be used on mic, line, and instrument inputs. The button is lit orange when the compression circuit is active.

The 76 Compressor lets you add clarity and punch to voice, guitars, and more, with an analog compressor based on UA's iconic 1176 Limiting Amplifier.

Press the button repeatedly to cycle through the presets or disable the circuit (VOC, GTR, FAST, or OFF). 

Note: The input level increases when the compressor is active, so you may want to readjust your Gain setting.

(10) 76 Compressor Presets

The indicators above the 76 Compressor button indicate whether the compressor is off or enabled on one of the presets. The 76 Compressor presets have the following characteristics:

VOC	Slowest attack and slow release for classic smooth vocal compression
GTR	Medium attack and very slow release allows guitar/bass transients and longer sustain
FAST	Fastest attack and fast release for aggressive compression

 

Tip: Although these presets are designed to work well with these particular sources, you can use any setting with any source. Feel free to use the 76 Compressor creatively.

Shaping your sound with the Vintage Preamp and 76 Compressor 

Here’s some guidance to help you add just the right amount of analog saturation or compression to your track with the Vintage Preamp and 76 Compressor: 

1. Start with the gain knob at zero. 
2. Press the 76 Compressor button to select the desired preset (VOC, GTR, or FAST), based on the source you're recording. 
3. Enable Vintage preamp mode.
4. Slowly raise the gain until you hear audible distortion. 
5. From that point, back the gain off slightly for a subtle classic "tube" sound, or overdrive it for the right amount of energy.

(11) Monitor Source Buttons

Important: Output pair OUT 1-2 and/or OUT 3-4 must be selected to hear audio from your computer. 

These buttons select the audio that you’ll hear in the monitor and headphone outputs. When a monitor source button is lit, that source is routed to the speakers and headphones. 

You can choose to monitor the mic/line/instrument inputs (direct monitoring), outputs from the computer, or both.

IN – The IN 1-2 and IN 3-4 buttons route Volt’s hardware inputs directly to the monitor outputs. Direct monitoring allows you to listen to your inputs through the device, without any software latency. 

OUT – The OUT 1-2 and OUT 3-4 buttons route audio from the computer to the monitor outputs. Enable these buttons to hear sound from the audio software.

Monitor source notes

• You can monitor multiple sources at the same time. Enable all sources that you want to route to monitor outputs and headphones. 
• Press the MONO button so it is lit blue to listen to the inputs panned to the center. By default, inputs are routed in stereo, so input 1 and 3 are routed to the left, and input 2 and 4 are routed to the right. 
• You can still hear direct audio from the inputs if IN sources are enabled, even if no OUT sources are enabled for monitoring.
• When any combination of both IN and OUT sources are enabled, the volume from your audio software is slightly reduced so you can clearly hear your input signals.

The monitor source buttons work as described below.

Monitor Source Button	Enabled	Disabled
IN 3-4	Hardware inputs 3-4 are routed directly to the monitor and headphone outputs, and also to the audio software.	Hardware inputs 3-4 are routed to the audio software, but not directly to the monitor and headphone outputs.
IN 1-2	Hardware inputs 1-2 are routed directly to the monitor and headphone outputs, and also to the audio software.	Hardware inputs 1-2 are routed to the audio software, but not directly to the monitor and headphone outputs.
OUT 3-4	Audio software outputs 3-4 are routed to the monitor and headphone outputs.	Audio software outputs 3-4 are not routed to monitor and headphone outputs.
OUT 1-2	Audio software outputs 1-2 are routed to the monitor and headphone outputs.	Audio software outputs 1-2 are not routed to monitor and headphone outputs.

 

 

Default setting

From the factory, OUT 1-2 is selected. With this setting, you hear audio from your computer (most audio software will automatically route audio to outputs 1-2), but your inputs are not directly monitored.

Monitor Source Example

How to listen to preamp inputs and audio software

Select IN 1-2 to hear hardware inputs 1 and 2, and select OUT 1-2 to hear audio from your computer.

(12) Mono Button

Press the mono button to route the monitor source direct inputs in mono instead of stereo. The button lights blue when enabled. 

Important: The mono button applies to Volt’s hardware inputs only.

(13) Input Meters

The input meters show the level of signal on the inputs. 

The red LED lights when the level is near 0 dB. To prevent undesirable clipping, adjust GAIN so only green and yellow meters light, and the red LED doesn't light. 

(14) Output Meters

The output meters show the level of signal at the monitor and headphone outputs.The red LED lights to indicate that the level is near 0 dB. 

(15) Host indicator

The host indicator is lit blue when Volt is recognized by the computer or device. 

 

Rear Panel

(16) Line 3-4 Inputs

Connect input sources for line inputs 3-4 here. These are ¼” balanced inputs designed for line-level sources, such as synths, external sound modules, or other line-level sources.

Note: There are no gain controls on the line 3-4 inputs. Any level controls must be configured in your software.

(17) 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. 

Monitor notes

• The sources that you hear in the monitor and headphone outputs are assigned using the Monitor Source buttons (11). To hear your computer or software in the monitor speakers and headphones, Monitor Source OUT 1-2 must be enabled. These outputs are enabled by default.
• When you enable direct inputs with the Monitor Source IN buttons, you will hear those inputs on the monitor outputs and the headphone outputs, even if no outputs are selected with the Monitor Source buttons.

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.

 

(18) Line Outputs

Use the line outputs for monitoring unattenuated audio directly from the software. Audio can be assigned to these outputs in your software. These are ¼” balanced outputs. See (11) Monitor Source Buttons for related information.

• Line Outputs 1-2 typically carry the main outputs from your software.
• Line Outputs 3-4 must be specifically assigned as outputs from your software. These can be used for various monitoring purposes.

(19) 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. 

(20) 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).

(21) 5VDC Power

Use the 5VDC power supply when using Volt 476. Volt 476 may work from USB bus power, but only in limited configurations.

(22) Power Switch

Apply power to Volt with this switch.

(23) Kensington security slot

Use with Kensington-compatible security devices to secure Volt hardware.

 

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Troubleshooting

Problem	Solution
No power	Make sure Volt is connected to the 5VDC power supply. Make sure the power switch is in the ON position.
Host indicator doesn’t light	Power Volt off and back on. Try a different USB port or USB hub. Try a different USB cable.
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.
(PC) ASIO driver not available in DAW	Install the Volt hardware driver with the UA Connect app.

 

 

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Volt 476 Specifications

For Volt 476 specifications, please visit this article.