How to Set Up Digital Performer with Volt

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

Note: These instructions were written for Digital Performer 11. Menu names may differ in other versions.

Table of Contents

• Before you begin
• Connect Volt to your computer
• Configure Digital Performer'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 Digital Performer
• UAD Console basics for Digital Performer users

Before you begin

Mac

Volt interfaces are class-compliant on macOS, which means no additional driver is required for your Mac to detect them. Before configuring Digital Performer, 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 Digital Performer needs the ASIO driver for low latency and full multichannel input and output. Before configuring Digital Performer, 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 Digital Performer 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 Digital Performer’s audio settings

1. Open Digital Performer.
2. Create a new project using the Empty Document template.
3. In the top menu bar, click Setup, then select Configure Audio System > Configure Hardware Driver.
4. For the driver, select CoreAudio on macOS and ASIO on Windows.
5. For the audio device, select your Volt.
6. Click OK to confirm.

If your Volt is not available as the audio device on macOS, clear Follow System Audio Settings, then select your Volt from the menu.

Note: On Windows only, if ASIO does not appear in the driver 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 Digital Performer.

Digital Performer names your Volt inputs by channel number. You can rename them so they describe what is plugged in:

1. In the top menu bar, click Studio, then select Bundles.
2. Open the Inputs tab.
3. Double-click an input name and type a new one.

Note: Renaming inputs is optional. The names you set here appear in every track's input menu.

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 Setup, then select Configure Audio System > Configure Hardware Driver.
2. Set Sample Rate to the rate you want to work at.

Digital Performer 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 Digital Performer. Set the rate in Digital Performer 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 Setup, then select Configure Audio System > Configure Hardware Driver.
2. Set Buffer Size to the value you need.
3. Click OK to confirm.

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 Digital Performer.

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 Project, then select Add Track > Mono Audio Track.
2. In the track settings, choose the input you want to record from.
3. Choose a monitoring method using one of the three sections below.
4. Click the REC button on the track to record-enable it.
5. Start recording.

Note: Choose Stereo Audio Track instead when you are recording a stereo source.

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 Digital Performer, click Studio, then select Audio Patch Thru > 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 Audio Patch Thru to Off, you will hear your input twice, once from Volt and once from Digital Performer. 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. In Digital Performer, click Studio, then select Audio Patch Thru > Off.
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 Digital Performer

Monitoring through Digital Performer 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 the top menu bar, click Studio, then select Audio Patch Thru and choose an option other than Off.

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 Digital Performer Users

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

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.