How to Set Up Logic Pro with Volt

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

Note: Apple renamed the Preferences window to Settings in recent versions of Logic Pro. If you are using an earlier version, use Logic Pro > Preferences wherever this article refers to Logic Pro > Settings.

Table of Contents

• Before you begin
• Connect Volt to your computer
• Configure Logic Pro's audio settings
• Set the sample rate
• Set the buffer size
• Set up an audio track for recording
• Monitor through Volt's direct monitoring
• Monitor through UAD Console
• Monitor through Logic Pro
• UAD Console basics for Logic Pro users

Before you begin

Volt interfaces are class-compliant on macOS, which means no additional driver is required for your Mac to detect them. Before configuring Logic Pro, 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.

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 Mac 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 Mac whenever possible. If you must use a hub, use a powered USB hub to ensure the interface receives sufficient power.

Configure Logic Pro's audio settings

1. Open Logic Pro.
2. In the top menu bar, click Logic Pro, then select Settings > Audio.
3. Open the Devices tab.
4. For Output Device, select your Volt.
5. For Input Device, select your Volt.

Note: If your Volt does not appear in the Output Device and Input Device menus, confirm that it is powered on and connected, then quit and reopen Logic Pro.

Next, choose the outputs you want Logic Pro to use:

1. Open the I/O Assignments tab.
2. Open the Output tab.
3. Set Stereo Output to the Volt outputs your monitors and headphones are connected to.

Logic Pro makes every Volt input available to your tracks automatically. If an input is missing later, return to the Devices tab and confirm that your Volt is selected as the Input Device.

To see which physical Volt input or output each channel number corresponds to, choose Mix > I/O Labels. The Provided by Driver column lists each channel as Volt reports it, and you can enter your own names in the User column so your inputs and outputs are easier to identify in your tracks.

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 top menu bar, click File, then select Project Settings > Audio.
2. Set Sample Rate to the rate you want to work at.

Logic Pro 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 Logic Pro. Set the rate in Logic Pro rather than in UAD Console.

Set the buffer size

The buffer size determines how much audio your Mac 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 bar, click Logic Pro, then select Settings > Audio.
2. Open the Devices tab.
3. Set I/O Buffer Size to the value you need.
4. Check the Resulting Latency readout below it to see the result in milliseconds.
5. Close the Settings window when you are finished.

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

A larger buffer size gives your Mac 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 Logic Pro.

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. In the top menu bar, click Track, then select New Tracks, or press Option-Command-N.
2. Select Audio.
3. From the Input menu, select the input you want to record from.
4. Click Create.
5. Choose a monitoring method using one of the three sections below.
6. Click the Record Enable button on the track.
7. Click the Record button in the control bar to begin recording.

Note: You can adjust Volt's input gain directly from Logic Pro. In the Mixer, Control-click a channel strip and choose Channel Strip Components > Audio Device Controls, then use the gain knob at the top of the audio channel strip. 

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 Logic Pro, choose Logic Pro > Settings > Audio, open the General tab, and deselect Software Monitoring.

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 deselecting Software Monitoring, you will hear your input twice, once from Volt and once from Logic Pro. 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. Deselect Software Monitoring in Logic Pro.
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 Logic Pro

Monitoring through Logic Pro 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. In Logic Pro, choose Logic Pro > Settings > Audio, open the General tab, and select Software Monitoring.
4. Click the Input Monitoring button on the track to always monitor the input, or leave it off to monitor only when the track is record-enabled.

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 Logic Pro Users

UAD Console gives you software control of your Volt hardware alongside your Logic Pro project. The features most relevant while working in Logic Pro 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 Logic Pro.

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.