How to Set Up Cubase or Nuendo with Volt

This article explains how to configure your Volt audio interface with Cubase or Nuendo, and how to choose the monitoring method that best fits your workflow.

Table of Contents

• Before you begin
• Connect Volt to your Computer
• Configure Cubase or Nuendo's audio settings
• Set the sample rate
• Set the buffer size
• Set up the audio connections
• Set up an audio track for recording
• Monitor through Volt's direct monitoring
• Monitor through UAD Console
• Monitor through Cubase or Nuendo
• UAD Console basics for Cubase or Nuendo

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 Cubase or Nuendo, 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 interfaces require the ASIO driver on Windows, which can be downloaded via UA Connect. Before configuring Cubase or Nuendo, complete the following:

1. Download and install UA Connect.
2. Register your Volt in UA Connect. Install the ASIO driver and 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 models 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 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 uses an external power supply.

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 Cubase or Nuendo's audio settings

1. Open Cubase or Nuendo.
2. In the Steinberg hub, click on ‘Create Empty’.

3. Choose where to save the project and click on ‘Select Folder’ 
4. In the top menu, click on ‘Studio’ and open ‘Studio Setup’.

5. On the left side, click on ‘Audio System’ and then select Volt from the drop-down menu.

6. Confirm the selection by clicking on ‘Switch’.
   

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. Press Shift+S to open Project Settings
2. Set the Sample Rate 
   

Cubase or Nuendo 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.

Note: If your model uses UAD Console, UAD Console follows the sample rate set in Cubase or Nuendo. Set the rate in Cubase or Nuendo 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.

1. In the top menu, click on ‘Studio’ and open ‘Studio Setup’.

2. On the left side, select Volt and open the control panel:

3. Choose the buffer size from the drop-down menu.

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 the audio connections

1. In the top menu, click on ‘Studio’ and open ‘Audio Connections’.

2. Add the required Audio Connections on the Input and Output side. You can add additional connections by clicking Add Bus.

3. Connect the created buses to their hardware connections.

4. You can rename the buses by double clicking the name.

Set up an audio track for recording

1. In the top bar, click on Project -> Add Track -> Audio:

2. Select the newly created track and then choose the input that you want to record from the drop-down menu.

3. Click the Record button in the transport 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. Turn on DIRECT on Volt's front panel.
2. In Cubase or Nuendo, leave input monitoring turned off on the track.

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. Leave input monitoring turned off on the track in Cubase or Nuendo.
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 plug-in inserts or plug-in processing. All plug-in processing takes place in your DAW.

Monitor through Cubase or Nuendo

Monitoring through Cubase or Nuendo 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. Turn off DIRECT on Volt's front panel.
2. If your Volt model uses UAD Console, mute the input channel in UAD Console so you do not hear the signal twice.
3. Click the input monitoring button on the track to turn it on.

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 Cubase or Nuendo

UAD Console gives you software control of your Volt hardware alongside your Cubase or Nuendo 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 computer 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 computer as an input in Cubase or Nuendo.

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 UAD DSP plug-in inserts. Those features are exclusive to Apollo interfaces.