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How to Set Up Fender Studio Pro with Volt

Updated

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

Note: Fender Studio Pro is the current version of the DAW previously released as PreSonus Studio One Pro. If you are using Studio One 7 or earlier, the menus described in this article will differ.

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 Fender Studio 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.

Windows

Volt requires the Volt ASIO driver on Windows. Windows detects Volt without the driver for general playback, but Fender Studio Pro needs the ASIO driver for low latency and full multichannel input and output. Before configuring Fender Studio Pro, 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 Fender Studio Pro 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 Fender Studio Pro's audio settings

MacOS

  1. Open Fender Studio Pro.
  2. In the top menu bar, click Studio Pro, then select Preferences.
  3. Open the Audio Setup tab.
  4. From the Audio Device menu, choose your Volt.

Your Volt appears in this menu with its model name. You can also open Audio Setup from the Start page by clicking Configure Audio Device.

No driver type selection is needed on macOS. Fender Studio Pro uses Core Audio.

Note: If your Volt does not appear in the Audio Device menu, confirm that it is powered on and connected, then quit and reopen Fender Studio Pro.

Windows

  1. Open Fender Studio Pro.
  2. In the top menu bar, click Studio Pro, then select Options.
  3. Open the Audio Setup tab.
  4. From the Audio Device menu, choose your Volt.

Your Volt appears in this menu as an ASIO device. You can also open Audio Setup from the Start page by clicking Configure Audio Device.

Note: If your Volt does not appear in the Audio Device menu, the Volt driver is not installed. Open UA Connect and install it, then reopen Fender Studio Pro.

 

Next, create the inputs and outputs you want available to your tracks. Your Volt's inputs are not available until you do.

  1. Create or open your session. In the top menu bar, click Session, then select Session Setup.
  2. Open the Audio I/O Setup tab.
  3. On the Inputs tab, click Add (Mono) or Add (Stereo) for each input you want available.
  4. Click the grid to assign each input to the Volt channels you want it to use.
  5. Open the Outputs tab and repeat the process for your outputs.
  6. Click Make Default in the lower left, then confirm, so that every new project starts with this configuration.

Input names appear in every track's input menu, so name them for what is plugged in.

Inputs and outputs that are not created here will not appear in your tracks' input and output menus. If an input is missing later, return to Audio I/O Setup and confirm it exists.

To apply a new input and output configuration to a project created earlier, open Session Setup in that project and click Reset to Default.

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 Session, then select Session Setup.
  2. Open the General tab.
  3. Set Sample Rate to the rate you want to work at.

Fender Studio 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 Volt model uses UAD Console, UAD Console follows the sample rate set in Fender Studio Pro. Set the rate in Fender Studio Pro 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 bar, click Studio Pro, then select Preferences (macOS) or Options (Windows).
  2. Open the Audio Setup tab.
  3. Set Device Buffer Size to the value you need.

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 Fender Studio 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. Right-click in the track area and choose Add Tracks, or press T on your keyboard.
  2. Set Type to Audio.
  3. Set the track's input to one of the inputs you created earlier.
  4. Click OK.
  5. Choose a monitoring method using one of the three sections below.
  6. Click the Record Arm button on the track.
  7. 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 Fender Studio Pro, 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 turn on DIRECT while input monitoring is also enabled on the track, you will hear your input twice, once from Volt and once from Fender Studio 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. Turn off input monitoring on the track in Fender Studio 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 for Volt does not include plug-in inserts or plug-in processing. All plug-in processing takes place in your DAW.

Monitor through Fender Studio Pro

Monitoring through Fender Studio 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. Turn off DIRECT on Volt's front panel.
  2. If your model uses UAD Console, mute the input channel in UAD Console so you don't 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 Fender Studio Pro users

UAD Console gives you software control of your Volt hardware alongside your Fender Studio Pro session. The features most relevant while working in Fender Studio 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 computer as an input in Fender Studio 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.

 

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