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How to Set Up FL Studio with Volt

Updated

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

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 FL Studio, 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 Ableton Live needs the ASIO driver for low latency and full multichannel input and output. Before configuring Ableton Live, 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 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 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 FL Studio's audio settings

MacOS

  1. Open FL Studio.
  2. In FL Studio's main menu, click Options, then select Audio settings. You can also press F10.
  3. In the Input / output section, set the Input device to your Volt.
  4. Set the Output device to your Volt.

Note: If your Volt does not appear in the Input / output menus, confirm that it is powered on and connected, then quit and reopen FL Studio.

Windows

  1. Open FL Studio.
  2. In FL Studio's main menu, click Options, then select Audio settings. You can also press F10.
  3. In the Input / output section, open the Device menu and select the Volt ASIO driver.

With ASIO, FL Studio uses a single Device menu for both input and output, rather than the separate input and output menus used on macOS.

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

 

Next, choose the outputs you want FL Studio to use:

  1. Open the Mixer by choosing View > Mixer, or by pressing F9.
  2. Select the Master track.
  3. At the bottom of the Mixer track properties, open the Output menu and select the Volt outputs your monitors and headphones are connected to.

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 Audio settings window, find the Sample rate menu.
  2. Set Sample rate to the rate you want to work at.

FL Studio 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 FL Studio. Set the rate in FL Studio 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.

MacOS

  1. In the Audio settings window, find the Buffer length slider.
  2. Set Buffer length to the value you need.
  3. Check the Status readout to see the resulting latency in milliseconds.

Windows

With ASIO, the buffer size is set in the Volt control panel rather than in FL Studio. Open it with the Show ASIO panel button in Audio settings.

  1. In the Audio settings window, find the Buffer length readout.
  2. Click Show ASIO panel to open the Volt Driver Control Panel.
  3. Go to the Buffer Settings tab.
  4. Set the buffer size in the control panel, then close it.
  5. Check the Buffer length readout in FL Studio to see the result in milliseconds.

More information about buffer size

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 FL Studio.

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. Open the Mixer by pressing F9.
  2. Select an unused Mixer track. Do not record on the Master track.
  3. At the top of the Mixer track properties, open the Input menu and select the Volt input you want to record from. Choose from the lower Mono list for a single microphone or instrument.
  4. Right-click the Mixer track and choose Assign to new audio track.
  5. Click on “EXT” and choose a monitoring method using one of the three sections below.
  6. Confirm the Mixer track's Record Arm button is lit.
  7. Click the Record button in the transport, then click Play 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. Enable direct monitoring on Volt's front panel.
  2. In FL Studio, click the Recording Pickup selector on the Mixer track and set Monitor external input to 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 Monitor external input to Off, you will hear your input twice, once from Volt and once from FL Studio. 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 FL Studio, set Monitor external input to Off on the Mixer track.
  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 FL Studio

Monitoring through FL Studio 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. Click the Recording Pickup selector on the Mixer track and set Monitor external input to On to always monitor the input, or to When armed to monitor only when the Mixer track is armed.

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 FL Studio users

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

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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