Universal Audio Volt 2 Manual

Getting Started

To begin with setup, follow the steps below. The UA Connect software guides you through the process step-by-step.

1. Download and install UA Connect from www.uaudio.com/volt/start
2. Launch the UA Connect application
3. Follow the instructions within the app

Introduction & Overview

Volt is the perfect "on-the-go" audio interface and features an exclusive analog Vintage Mic Preamp circuit, inspired by our legendary UA 610 mic preamp. Plus, some Volt models feature the analog 76 Compressor inspired by our iconic 1176 limiter heard on thousands of classic records. Volt also includes MIDI for connection to a wide range of devices, and direct monitoring capability for latency-free recording.

Please feel free to reach out to us via our website www.uaudio.com, and via our social media channels.

Collaborate Like a Pro, Anywhere.
Plug right into your Mac, PC, iPad, or iPhone and Volt just shows up, ready to capture your inspiration with professional sound, courtesy of Universal Audio.

Get a 30-day Free Trial to UAD Spark
Start creating music with the best gear ever made using UAD Spark, an ever‑expanding library of world‑class plug‑ins and instruments for a low monthly price. UAD Spark plug‑ins run natively on Mac and will give your recordings the professional analog tones heard on your favorite albums.

Easy In, Easy Out
Volt 2 gives you simple 2-in/2-out audio connections. Just plug your mics or instruments into the front panel. Then connect your speakers or headphones to monitor your audio with no latency. With Volt, you'll be creating like a pro, fast.

iPad & iPhone Ready
Traveling light? Plug Volt 2 into your iPad or iPhone, and you can easily create beats and samples, record your band's rehearsals, and edit songs anywhere (requires external Volt power supply and an Apple Lightning to USB Camera Adapter, except iPads with USB-C).

Stay Inspired with a Curated Suite of Audio Software
Some audio interfaces give you a smattering of random audio apps. Not Volt. Instead, we put together a bundle of serious music production tools, virtual instruments, and plug‑ins from the industry's best.

Capture Inspiration for Years to Come
Featuring rugged all-metal construction and sleek, vintage-inspired industrial design, Volt 2 elevates your production space with impeccable style, built to last decades.

Key Features

• Desktop 2-in/2-out USB audio interface with class-leading 24-bit/192 kHz audio conversion for Mac, PC, iPad, and iPhone
• Vintage Mic Preamp mode lets you record voice or guitar with the rich, full sound of a classic UA tube preamp
• Essential suite of audio and music software including Ableton, Melodyne, UJAM's Virtual Drummer, Marshall, Ampeg, and more
• Studio-quality headphone amplifier for loud, clear monitoring
• USB bus powered to reduce cable clutter
• 48V phantom power for condenser microphones
• Direct Monitoring for latency-free recording
• Stylish, rugged construction built to withstand years of use
• 1-in/1-out MIDI connections
• USB-C to USB-A cable included

Device Hardware Descriptions

All hardware controls, connections, and indicators are explained in this section.

Front Panel

1. XLR/TRS Combo Inputs
   Connect your microphones, instruments, or line level sources here. The combo input connectors accept XLR and ¼" (6.35 mm) plugs.
   A microphone is typically connected with an XLR connector, and an instrument or line level signal is connected with a ¼" (6.35 mm) TS or TRS plug.
   Preamp gain and impedance automatically adjusts for line or mic signals, based on whether the plug is XLR or ¼", along with the state of the INST button.
   Press the INST button to toggle the impedance and gain of the line input to accommodate a Hi-Z instrument, such as an electric guitar or bass.
   Tip: The Vintage Preamp can be used on mic, line, and instrument inputs.

BALANCED AND UNBALANCED CONNECTIONS

• The line inputs on Volt are balanced when connected with TRS connectors to balanced equipment.
• Use TRS (balanced) audio cables for the best results with balanced audio sources. Balanced equipment uses three conductor wiring (via TRS or XLR connectors) to reduce interference and electrical noise, and to provide better audio quality over longer cable runs. Use TS (unbalanced) cables for instruments that are not balanced, such as an electric guitar or bass, or an unbalanced synth or sound module. TS connections may also be suitable for shorter input cables, where electrical interference noise may not be an issue.

2. Gain Knobs
   These knobs adjust the preamp gain for the microphones, instruments, or line level devices attached to the associated inputs. For optimum gain, rotate the gain knob to adjust the input signal level while monitoring the source that is connected, so the input meters (3) show signal but do not light red.
3. Input Meters
   The Input Meters show the signal level of the input, which is controlled by the Gain knob. The red input LED lights when the input signal is near 0 dB. Tip: Clipping occurs when the signal is overloaded. When clipping occurs, the top of the waveform is squared off, creating distortion that may be unpleasant. Clipping has creative uses, but is usually avoided. To prevent clipping, adjust the gain so only green and yellow meters light, and the red LED doesn't light.
   Tip: Clipping occurs when the signal is overloaded. When clipping happens, the top of the waveform is squared off, creating distortion that may be unpleasant. Clipping has creative uses, but is usually avoided. To prevent clipping, adjust the gain so only green and yellow meters light, and the red LED doesn't light.
4. Vintage Buttons
   Press these buttons to toggle the Vintage Preamps. The Vintage Preamps can be used on mic, line, and instrument inputs.
   The Vintage Preamp adds a carefully crafted analog tube preamp emulation, inspired by Universal Audio's alltube 610 console preamplifier, to the sound. When the button is lit orange, the circuit is active.
5. Instrument Buttons (INST)
   Press these buttons to toggle the impedance and gain of the line inputs to accommodate Hi-Z instruments, such as electric guitar or bass. These buttons are lit green when the Hi-Z inputs are enabled.
   Tip: Generally speaking, the INST button should be off when connecting a line-level source such as a keyboard or sound module, unless you need more gain.
6. 48V Phantom Power Button
   Press this button to toggle 48V phantom power at the XLR microphone inputs. The LED blinks red while phantom power is activating or powering off. The LED is lit solid red when phantom power is active. Both XLR inputs receive phantom power when enabled.
   Phantom power is required by most condenser microphones, but is usually not required with dynamic microphones or ribbon microphones (phantom power can damage some ribbon microphones).
   Note: Disable phantom power before you connect or disconnect the microphone.
7. Monitor Knob
   Rotate this knob to adjust the volume of speakers connected to the Monitor outputs. The output signal level meters indicate the output levels.
8. Headphone Output
   Connect stereo headphones to this output. Headphones are connected with a ¼" (6.35 mm) TRS plug. If your headphones have a ⅛" (3.5 mm) plug, use a TRS ⅛" to ¼" adapter.
9. Headphone Volume Knob
   Adjust the headphone volume with this knob. The headphone volume control is independent from the Monitor volume control.
   Note: The monitor output and headphone signals are the same.
10. Direct Monitoring Button
    Press this button to cycle through available direct monitoring options.
    Direct monitoring is on when the button is lit blue or orange, and off when the button is unlit.

Direct monitoring applies to the input signals only. You always hear audio from your computer or audio software regardless of this setting.

• ON (Orange) — When the button is lit orange, the inputs are panned to the left and right in stereo.
• ON (Blue) — When the button is lit blue, the inputs are panned to the center in mono.

DIRECT MONITORING NOTES

• When enabled, direct monitoring slightly reduces the volume from your audio software so you can clearly hear your input signals.
• When direct monitoring is on, disable the software monitoring feature in your audio software to prevent signal doubling, which can make your input sound thin or "phasey."
• When direct monitoring is off, you may notice your inputs have latency (a slight delay) before they are heard, as a result of buffering and signal processing by the audio software.

WHAT IS DIRECT MONITORING?
Use direct monitoring on Volt to hear your input signals with no delay in your headphones and monitor speakers.
With direct monitoring, you hear the input signals directly from the Volt hardware with no delay or latency, bypassing your audio software's buffers
When you monitor input signals through your audio software, those signals pass through the software before you hear them from the Volt monitor and headphone outputs. These signals use the software buffer, which causes latency — an amount of delay that increases as the buffer size is increased.
Use direct monitoring when you are recording sources that you don't need to monitor through your software. For example, use direct monitoring for vocals or instruments that don't require you to listen to effects or plugins in your software.

11. Host Indicator
    The host indicator is lit blue when Volt is recognized by the computer or device.

Rear Panel

12. Monitor Outputs
    Connect your stereo speaker system to the monitor outputs. Connect the left speaker to Monitor 1/L and the right speaker to Monitor 2/R. You can use TS (tip-sleeve) or TRS (tip-ring-sleeve) ¼" (6.35mm) cables.

BALANCED AND UNBALANCED CONNECTIONS

• The outputs on Volt are balanced when connected with TRS connectors to balanced equipment.
• Use TRS (balanced) audio cables for the best results with a balanced stereo speaker system. Balanced equipment uses three conductor wiring to reduce interference and electrical noise, and to provide better audio quality over longer cable runs. TS connections may be suitable for shorter output cables, where electrical interference noise may not be an issue.

Note: The monitor outputs are not powered. You will need to connect the cables to either powered speakers or an amp with speakers.

13. MIDI I/O
    You can connect a MIDI device to Volt with standard 5-pin MIDI DIN cables. Connect the MIDI OUT of your device to the MIDI IN on Volt, and the MIDI IN of the device to the MIDI OUT on Volt.
    You may not need to make both connections. For example, a MIDI controller might only be connected to the MIDI IN on Volt, and a MIDI sound module might only be connected to the MIDI OUT from Volt.
14. USB-C
    Connect Volt to a USB 2.0 (or higher) port on your computer with a USB-C to USB-A cable (included), or with another cable.
    For example, you can connect with a USB-C to USB-C cable if your computer has a USB-C port. For iOS or iPad devices, connect the interface with a USB-C cable (iPads with USB-C) or with the Apple Lightning to USB Camera Adapter (other iPadOS and iOS devices).
    Note: Volt is bus powered when connected to ports that meet USB 2.0 specifications. However, some USB ports, such as those on low-quality hubs, don't meet USB specs and cannot supply adequate bus power. If Volt doesn't power on, connect Volt to external 5VDC power to compensate for the underpowered USB port.
15. 5VDC Power
    Volt is bus powered when connected to a USB port that supplies adequate power. You can use the 5VDC connector to connect to power when required (for example, if you want to reduce power drain on an iPad or laptop, or if the USB port or hub is not able to provide enough power).
    Tip: You can power Volt by connecting the included USB-A to barrel connector power cable to a USB power adapter, then connecting the barrel plug to this power inlet on Volt.
16. Power Switch
    Apply power to Volt with this switch.
17. Kensington Security Slot
    Use with Kensington-compatible security devices to secure Volt hardware.

Troubleshooting

Documents / Resources

References

• Volt Start
• Universal Audio | Audio Interfaces | UAD Plug-Ins

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