Universal Audio Inc. (UA) has officially announced a major evolution in its desktop recording ecosystem: Volt Gen 2 and Volt Max.
Comprising six new bus-powered USB audio interfaces, the updated product line brings professional 32-bit / 192 kHz A/D and D/A conversion, hardware-level tone shaping, intelligent level setting, and deep DAW integration to musicians, producers, and content creators.
Tone Shaping Preamps & Realtime Max Processing
- 3-Mode Tone Shaping Preamps: Selectable analog voicing circuits available at the input stage:
- Warmth: Classic UA 610 tube circuit character.
- Focus: Crisp, modern solid-state clarity.
- Shine: Bright British Class-A console top-end response.
- Max Processing (Volt Max Models Only): Realtime hardware compression featuring six one-touch dynamic presets modeled after classic 1176, LA-2A, and VCA compressor styles with zero added latency. Combining preamps with compression offers over 18 sonic combinations per channel.
- Smart Display & Auto-Gain: Full-color Smart Display (all models except Volt 1 Gen 2) provides gain-reduction metering, automatic input source detection (mic/line/instrument), and Auto-Gain with Clip Protection.
- Software Bundle & DAW Integration: Bundled with the UAD Volt Studio Bundle (15 plug-ins including LA-2A, 1176, Topline Vocal Tune, Lion ’68 amps, PolyMAX Synth), Celemony Melodyne Essential, and 3 months of FL Studio Producer Edition. Seamlessly controls LUNA 3.0 (featuring the new LUNA Play interface).
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Key Features Breakdown: Volt Gen 2 & Volt Max Series
- Pro-Grade 32-Bit / 192 kHz Conversion: Upgraded A/D and D/A converters offer ultra-wide dynamic range, higher headroom, and maximum protection against digital clipping during high-SPL tracking.
- Tone Shaping Preamps: Features three switchable, record-ready analog character modes at the input stage:
- Warmth: Modeled after the legendary UA 610 tube preamp.
- Focus: Crisp, transparent modern solid-state clarity.
- Shine: Bright British Class-A console top-end response.
- Onboard Realtime Max Processing (Volt Max Models Only): Realtime hardware compression powered by six one-touch dynamic presets modeled after 1176, LA-2A, and VCA compressor styles with zero added latency.
- Smart Display & Auto-Gain: Full-color Smart Display (standard on all models except Volt 1 Gen 2) provides real-time gain reduction metering, auto-detection for mic/line/instrument sources, and Auto-Gain with Clip Protection.
- ADAT Digital Expansion: Adds up to 8 channels of digital input expansion via ADAT optical connections on the Volt 4 Gen 2 and all Volt Max units.
- Class-Compliant USB Bus Power: Plugs directly into macOS, Windows, iPad, and iPhone setups for mobile and desktop tracking. â€
- Complete UAD & LUNA Software Suite: Comes bundled with the UAD Volt Studio Bundle (15 UAD plug-ins), Celemony Melodyne Essential, 3 months of FL Studio Producer Edition, and deep controller integration with LUNA 3.0.
Volt Gen 2 & Volt Max Model Lineup
| Model | I/O Configuration | Key Features | MAP Pricing |
| Volt 1 Gen 2 | 1-In / 2-Out | Tone Shaping Preamps, Bus-Powered | $149 USD |
| Volt 2 Gen 2 | 2-In / 2-Out | Smart Display, Auto-Gain, Clip Protection | $199 USD |
| Volt 4 Gen 2 | 4-In / 4-Out | Smart Display, Auto-Gain, ADAT Optical In | $299 USD |
| Volt 2 Max | 2-In / 2-Out | Max Processing Compression, Smart Display | $299 USD |
| Volt 4 Max | 4-In / 4-Out | Max Processing Compression, ADAT Optical In | $399 USD |
| Volt 4P Max | 4 Preamp / 4-Out | 4x Max Processing Preamps, Dual Headphone Outs | $499 USD |
MAP pricing (US). Specifications and included software subject to change without notice.
*Max Processing only available with Volt Max models — Volt 2 Max, Volt 4 Max, and Volt 4P Max.
**Auto-Gain with Clip Protection and Smart Display not available on Volt 1 Gen 2.
†Requires an Apple Lightning to USB Camera Adapter (except iPhone / iPads with USB-C). Windows systems use the ASIO driver, available in the UA Connect app. Requirements for bus-power vary by model and device.
Universal Audio Desktop Interface Platform
Universal Audio VOLT-2 USB Audio Interface $199.00
The Universal Audio VOLT-2 USB Audio Interface provides classic 2-in/2-out USB recording with vintage preamp modeling for mobile and desktop setups.
Universal Audio VOLT-4 USB Audio Interface $299.00
The Universal Audio VOLT-4 USB Audio Interface expands desktop tracking with 4-in/4-out connectivity and studio conversion.
Universal Audio VOLT-276 USB Audio Interface $299.00
The Universal Audio VOLT-276 USB Audio Interface features an analog 1176-style compressor circuit and vintage tube emulation.
Universal Audio VOLT-476P USB Audio Interface $499.00
The Universal Audio VOLT-476P USB Audio Interface packs four mic preamps with individual 1176 compression circuits for group tracking.
“Every artist has a sound they’re chasing. We want Volt Gen 2 to give people the confidence to explore that sound, experiment, and keep creating — whether they’re recording their first song or working on their tenth album.”
— Bill Putnam Jr., CEO of Universal Audio
The MikesGig Takeaway
- 32-Bit Conversion Step-Up: Upgrading the entire Volt lineup to 32-bit audio conversion ensures maximum dynamic headroom for home studio recordings, drastically reducing digital clipping risks.
- Flexible Input Voicing: Offering three distinct preamp voicings (Tube, Solid State, British Class-A) lets musicians dial in target saturation without burning CPU cycles on software plug-ins.
- Realtime Analog-Style Compression: Adding one-touch 1176 and LA-2A compression presets directly to the Volt Max inputs allows vocalists and guitarists to commit polished dynamics directly to disk during tracking.
MikesGig — Gear Moves Music. Music Moves People.
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