Universal Audio has introduced a new generation of USB audio interfaces built for musicians, producers, and podcasters. The six new models combine 32-bit audio conversion with Tone Shaping Preamps, Max dynamics processing, smart recording features, and integration with LUNA and today’s leading DAWs.
“Every artist has a sound they’re chasing,” says Bill Putnam Jr., CEO of Universal Audio. “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.”
Built by the team behind industry-standard Apollo interfaces, Volt Gen 2 brings UA analog sound and workflows to an easy-to-use format. The new lineup features Tone Shaping Preamps with three switchable character modes — Warmth (Tube), Focus (Solid State), and Shine (British Class-A) — putting record-ready tones at the input stage with the push of a button.
All models except the Volt 1 feature a full-color Smart Display for at-a-glance monitoring of inputs, gain, tone shaping, and more. These models also add Auto-Gain with Clip Protection, automatically setting the optimal input level, and can automatically detect mic, line, and instrument sources, making setup faster and easier for creators of all stripes.
Volt Max models feature Max Processing, with six one-touch dynamics presets derived from UA’s classic 1176, LA-2A, and VCA compressor emulations. Processing happens in realtime with no added latency, and Volt’s Tone Shaping Preamps can be combined with Max compression presets like “Rap Vocal” or “Jangly Acoustic” — giving creators more than 18 sonic combinations per channel.
Volt Gen 2 and Volt Max both come with the UAD Volt Studio Bundle, a collection of 15 plugins including the LA-2A and 1176 compressors, Topline Vocal Tune, Showtime ‘64 and Lion ‘68 guitar amps, Anthem and PolyMAX synthesizers, and LUNA — UA’s fully featured DAW with smart recording tools.
All models also come with Celemony’s Melodyne Essential and three months of access to FL Studio Producer Edition, plus additional plugins and instruments from UJAM, Splice, and more.
Volt works with all major DAWs, including Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Ableton Live, GarageBand, and FL Studio. Volt is also deeply integrated with UA’s own LUNA DAW, letting users control their interface directly from the software. New to LUNA 3.0 is LUNA Play — a streamlined new interface for simple, musician-friendly songwriting and recording.
New Volt audio interfaces features
- Six new USB audio interfaces with professional 32-bit / 192 kHz A/D and D/A conversion.
- Tone Shaping Preamps with Warmth (Tube), Focus (Solid State), and Shine (British Class-A) modes.
- Max Processing for onboard realtime compression with six presets modeled on UA’s 1176, LA-2A, and VCA compressor styles (only available with Volt Max models — Volt 2 Max, Volt 4 Max, and Volt 4P Max).
- Auto-Gain and Clip Protection for perfect recording levels, every time (not available on Volt 1 Gen 2).
- Full-color Smart Display for bright, at-a-glance visual feedback, including gain-reduction metering (all models except Volt 1 Gen 2).
- Includes LUNA Digital Audio Workstation, UAD plugins, Melodyne Essential, a three-month trial of FL Studio, and more.
- Compatible with all major DAWs, including Logic Pro, Ableton Live, Pro Tools, FL Studio, and GarageBand.
- USB bus-powered and class-compliant for easy setup with Mac, Windows, iPad, and iPhone (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).
- ADAT optical input for up to 8 channels of digital expansion on Volt 4 Gen 2 and all Max models.
- MIDI In/Out, built-in Talkback mic, and speaker switching on select models.
- Stylish, rugged construction built to last.
Volt Gen 2 and Volt Max audio interfaces are available to purchase starting at $149 USD (MAP).
More information: Universal Audio
