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How to Set Up Ableton Live with Volt

Updated

This article explains how to configure your Volt audio interface with Ableton Live and how to choose the monitoring method that best fits your workflow.

Note: Ableton renamed the Preferences window to Settings starting in Live 12. If you are using Live 11 or earlier, use Live > Preferences wherever this article refers to Live > Settings.

Table of Contents

Before you begin

MacOS

Volt interfaces are class-compliant on macOS, which means no additional driver is required for your Mac to detect them. Before configuring Ableton Live, complete the following:

  1. Download and install UA Connect.
  2. Register your Volt in UA Connect and install any available firmware updates.
  3. Install UAD Console if your Volt model supports it, as listed below.

Windows

Volt requires the Volt ASIO driver on Windows. Windows detects Volt without the driver for general playback, but Ableton Live needs the ASIO driver for low latency and full multichannel input and output. Before configuring Ableton Live, complete the following:

  1. Download and install UA Connect.
  2. Register your Volt in UA Connect, install the Volt driver, and install any available firmware updates.
  3. Install UAD Console if your Volt model supports it, as listed below.

UAD Console compatibility with Volt

UAD Console is compatible with Volt Gen 2, Volt Max, and Volt 876. It is not compatible with first-generation Volt models. Interfaces are grouped as follows:

  • UAD Console compatible: Volt 1 Gen 2, Volt 2 Gen 2, Volt 4 Gen 2, Volt 2 Max, Volt 4 Max, Volt 4P Max, Volt 876
  • Not UAD Console compatible: Volt 1, Volt 2, Volt 176, Volt 276, Volt 476P

Every model in both groups follows the same Ableton Live configuration steps described in this article. Only the monitoring and preamp control options differ.

Connect Volt to your computer

  1. Connect Volt to your computer using the included USB cable.
  2. Power on Volt if your model features a power switch.

Note: Connect Volt directly to a port on your computer whenever possible. If you must use a hub, use a powered USB hub to ensure the interface receives sufficient power.

Configure Ableton Live's audio settings

MacOS

  1. Open Ableton Live.
  2. In the top menu bar, click Live, then select Settings.
  3. Open the Audio tab.
  4. For Driver Type, select CoreAudio.
  5. For Audio Input Device, select your Volt.
  6. For Audio Output Device, select your Volt.

Your Volt appears in these menus with its model name and channel count. For example, Volt 4 Gen 2 appears as Volt 4 Gen 2 (18 In, 10 Out).

Windows

  1. Open Ableton Live.
  2. In the top menu bar, click Options, then select Settings.
  3. Open the Audio tab.
  4. For Driver Type, select ASIO.
  5. For Audio Device, select your Volt.

If ASIO does not appear in the Driver Type menu, or your Volt does not appear in the Audio Device menu, the Volt driver is not installed. Open UA Connect and install it, then reopen Ableton Live.

Note: With ASIO, Ableton Live uses a single Audio Device menu for both input and output, rather than the separate input and output device menus used on macOS.

 

Next, choose which inputs and outputs you want available to your tracks:

  1. Click Input Config.
  2. Highlight each mono and stereo input you want to be selectable in an audio track.
  3. Click OK to confirm.
  4. Click Output Config.
  5. Highlight each mono and stereo output you want to be selectable.
  6. Click OK to confirm.

Note: Inputs and outputs that are not enabled here will not appear in the Audio From and Audio To menus on your tracks. If an input is missing later, return to Input Config and confirm it is enabled.

Set the sample rate

The sample rate determines how many times per second your Volt captures audio. Set it before you begin recording, because changing it later affects how existing audio in your project plays back.

  1. In the Audio tab of the Settings window, find the Sample Rate section.
  2. Set In/Out Sample Rate to the rate you want to work at.

Ableton Live drives the sample rate for your Volt. You do not need to set it anywhere else.

Most music projects are recorded at 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz. Use 48 kHz when your audio will be paired with video. Higher rates increase CPU load and file sizes, and offer diminishing returns for most material.

Ableton Live does not convert your recorded files when you change the sample rate. Files stay at the rate they were recorded at and are converted during playback instead. The Default SR & Pitch Conversion setting controls the quality of that conversion. Set it to High Quality if your project mixes files recorded at different rates.

Note: If your model uses UAD Console, UAD Console follows the sample rate set in Ableton Live. Set the rate in Live rather than in UAD Console.

Set the buffer size

The buffer size determines how much audio your computer processes at a time. It is the main trade-off you will manage while working, so expect to change it more than once per project.

macOS

  1. In the Audio tab of the Settings window, find the Latency section.
  2. Set Buffer Size to the value you need.
  3. Check the Overall Latency readout below it to see the result in milliseconds.

Windows

  1. In the Audio tab of the Settings window, find the Latency section.
  2. Click Hardware Setup to open the Volt Driver Control Panel.
  3. Go to the Buffer Settings tab.
  4. Set the buffer size in the control panel, then close it.
  5. Check the Overall Latency readout in Live to see the result in milliseconds.
  6. Close the Settings window when you are finished.

Note: With ASIO, the buffer size is set in the Volt control panel rather than in Ableton Live. Open it with the Hardware Setup button in the Audio tab.

More information about buffer size

A smaller buffer size gives you lower latency, which makes virtual instruments feel responsive as you play them. It also requires your computer to work harder, and an overloaded CPU produces clicks, pops, and distortion.

A larger buffer size gives your computer more room to process and clears up those artifacts. The trade-off is added latency, which makes playing virtual instruments and monitoring through your DAW feel delayed.

A common workflow is to use a lower buffer size while recording, then raise it while mixing, when latency no longer matters and plug-in counts are at their highest.

Buffer size does not affect what you hear through Volt's direct monitoring or through UAD Console, because neither path passes through your Mac. If you monitor that way, latency only affects virtual instruments and any input you monitor through Ableton Live.

If clicks and pops continue at a large buffer size, the cause is likely CPU load rather than the buffer. Freeze CPU-intensive tracks or increase the buffer further.

 

Set up an audio track for recording

  1. Select an audio track, or create one by choosing Create > Insert Audio Track.
  2. In the track's Audio From menu, select Ext. In.
  3. In the menu below it, select the input you want to record from.
  4. Choose a monitoring method using one of the three sections below.
  5. Click the Arm Recording Button on the track.
  6. Click the Record Button in the Control Bar to begin recording.

Monitor through Volt's direct monitoring

Direct monitoring routes your input signal straight to Volt's monitor and headphone outputs, so you hear yourself without any latency. This method is available on every Volt model and is the simplest option while tracking.

  1. Enable direct monitoring on Volt's front panel.
  2. In Ableton Live, set the track's Monitor switch to Off.

Use this method when you want the lowest possible latency and do not need to hear plug-ins on your input while recording.

Note: If you enable direct monitoring without setting the Monitor switch to Off, you will hear your input twice, once from Volt and once from Ableton Live. This produces a doubled or hollow sound.

Monitor through UAD Console

On UAD Console-compatible models, UAD Console builds a latency-free monitor mix and up to two independent cue mixes from your Volt inputs. This is the best option when you are recording other performers, need separate headphone mixes, or want to blend inputs and playback without latency.

  1. Open UAD Console.
  2. Set the track's Monitor switch to Off in Ableton Live.
  3. In UAD Console, adjust the level, pan, and cue sends for each input channel.
  4. Route the cue mixes to the headphone or line outputs your performers are using.

You must run UAD Console to change monitor mixes, cue mixes, and preamp settings. Your settings are stored in the interface and persist after you close UAD Console.

Note: UAD Console does not include UAD DSP plug-in inserts or plug-in processing. All plug-in processing takes place in your DAW.

Monitor through Ableton Live

Monitoring through Ableton Live lets you hear your input with plug-ins applied, such as an amp simulator or reverb, while you record. The trade-off is added latency, which depends on your buffer size.

  1. Disable direct monitoring on Volt's front panel.
  2. If your model uses UAD Console, mute the input channel in UAD Console or turn off DIRECT so you do not hear the signal twice.
  3. Set the track's Monitor switch to In to always monitor the input, or to Auto to monitor only when the track is armed and the transport is stopped.

Note: Lower your buffer size to reduce latency when monitoring this way. If you hear clicks, pops, or distortion, raise the buffer size or freeze CPU-intensive tracks.

UAD Console basics for Ableton Live users

UAD Console gives you software control of your Volt hardware alongside your Ableton Live session. The features most relevant while working in Live include:

  • Preamp control: Adjust gain, Tone setting, the 76 Compressor, polarity, and 48V phantom power from your Mac instead of the front panel.
  • Assistive Auto-Gain: Set recording levels automatically while your performer plays or sings.
  • Session recall: Save your front-panel settings and mixes, then restore them when you return to a project.
  • Cue mixes and talkback: Send two independent low-latency mixes to performers and talk to them through the built-in talkback mic on supported models.
  • Loopback: Capture audio from other applications on your Mac as an input in Ableton Live.

For complete details on every control, see the UAD Console manual for your interface.

Note: UAD Console for Volt does not offer Unison preamp modeling or low-latency plug-in monitoring. Those features are exclusive to Apollo interfaces.

 

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