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How to Set Up GarageBand with Volt

Updated

This article explains how to configure your Volt audio interface with GarageBand on macOS, and how to choose the monitoring method that best fits your workflow.

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

Table of Contents

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 GarageBand, 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 Mac

  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 GarageBand's audio settings

  1. Open GarageBand.
  2. In the top menu bar, click GarageBand, then select Settings.
  3. Open the Audio/MIDI tab.
  4. For Output Device, select your Volt.
  5. For Input Device, select your Volt.

GarageBand plays back through Volt's first pair of outputs (1–2) only. You cannot route playback to other Volt outputs from GarageBand.

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 GarageBand.

Set the sample rate

The sample rate determines how many times per second your Volt captures audio.

GarageBand works at a fixed sample rate of 44.1 kHz and sets your Volt to that rate automatically. You do not need to set it anywhere else.

Note: If your model uses UAD Console, UAD Console follows the sample rate set by GarageBand. Do not change the rate in UAD Console while GarageBand is open.

Set the buffer size

The buffer size determines how much audio your Mac processes at a time. GarageBand manages the buffer size automatically and does not offer a setting to change it.

A smaller buffer size gives you lower latency, which makes virtual instruments feel responsive as you play them. A larger buffer size gives your Mac more room to process, at the cost of added latency when playing virtual instruments and monitoring through your DAW.

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 GarageBand.

If you hear clicks, pops, or distortion, the cause is likely CPU load. Reduce the number of plug-ins and tracks playing at once.

Set up an audio track for recording

  1. In the top menu bar, click Track, then select New Track, or press Option-Command-N.
  2. Select Mic, Line, or Guitar or Bass depending on what you are recording.
  3. Click Details, then from the Input menu, select the input you want to record from.
  4. Click Create.
  5. Select the track.
  6. Click the Record button in the control bar to begin recording.

 

To record multiple tracks simultaneously:

  1. In the top menu bar, click on Track, then select Configure Track Header.
  2. Enable the Record Enable option.
  3. Click the Record Enable button on the track.
  4. Click the Record button in the control bar to begin recording.

Note: You can adjust Volt’s input gain directly from GarageBand. The “Record Level” option under Recording Settings on the track you have selected will adjust the input gain of the selected channel.

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 GarageBand, turn off the Input Monitoring button 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 turning off Input Monitoring, you will hear your input twice, once from Volt and once from GarageBand. 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. Turn off the Input Monitoring button on the track in GarageBand.
  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.

UAD Console must be running 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 GarageBand

Monitoring through GarageBand 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.

  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. Click the Input Monitoring button on the track to turn it on.

Note: If you hear clicks, pops, or distortion when monitoring this way, reduce the number of plug-ins and tracks playing at once.

UAD Console basics for GarageBand users

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

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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