Universal Audio Volt 1 Gen 2 Audio Interface

The Universal Audio Volt 1 Gen 2 is a compact 2-in / 2-out USB audio interface that gives singer songwriters, producers and content creators polished, studio-style sound from the very first take. With a powerful 32 bit / 192 kHz signal path, a Tone Shaping preamp offering three classic analogue flavours, and a generous bundle of UAD plug ins plus the LUNA DAW, it is a complete recording solution for Mac, Windows and iOS that fits neatly on any desk or in a backpack.

Built by the same team behind UA’s flagship Apollo range, Volt 1 Gen 2 focuses on sound quality and simplicity. You get a single studio grade mic / line input, a dedicated Hi Z instrument input, loud and clear monitor and headphone outputs, and class compliant USB connectivity so you can plug in and start recording in minutes. Add in loopback for streaming and podcasting, and you have a versatile little box that is equally at home in the studio, on stage, or on the move.

Tone Shaping preamp for instant record ready sound

Volt 1’s Tone Shaping preamp gives you three distinct character modes at the touch of a button. Choose Warmth for smooth, tube style saturation, Focus for punchy solid state clarity, or Shine for bright, British Class A inspired presence. Instead of wrestling with plug ins later, you can commit to a sound that already feels like a finished record while you track vocals, guitars, synths and more.

32 bit audio for detailed, forgiving recordings

With best in class 32 bit / 192 kHz conversion, Volt 1 captures every nuance of your performance and preserves it all the way through to your final mix. The extended dynamic range makes it far more forgiving of level spikes, helping you avoid clipping and distortion, while the clean monitor and headphone outputs let you hear your mix with confidence.

Simple, mobile ready workflow

Volt 1 is USB bus powered, so you can record wherever inspiration strikes without hunting for a mains socket. Just connect it to your Mac, Windows laptop, iPad or iPhone, open your favourite DAW and you are ready to go. Class compliant operation keeps setup fast and fuss free, so you can spend more time making music and less time configuring drivers.

UAD plug ins and LUNA included

Every Volt 1 Gen 2 ships with the UAD Volt Studio Bundle, a curated collection of UA plug ins and instruments including classic compressors, tape and reverb, plus premium synths and guitar amps. You also get LUNA, Universal Audio’s own DAW, which delivers an authentic big studio feel with integrated UAD processing and smart tools that streamline recording, mixing and mastering.

Loopback for podcasts, streams and content

Volt Gen 2’s built in loopback lets you blend live inputs with audio from your computer, ideal for podcasting, livestreaming, reaction videos or improving the sound of your video calls. You can route your mic, instrument and system audio together in real time, using the same kind of workflow that professional broadcasters rely on.

• Tone Shaping Preamp with three character modes - Switch between Warmth, Focus and Shine to add tube, solid state or British Class A style colour to your mic and line recordings. This lets you dial in a finished, musical tone at the input stage, reducing the need for heavy processing later.
• 32 bit / 192 kHz professional audio conversion - Capture performances with exceptional clarity and dynamic range, while enjoying extra headroom that helps protect against accidental clipping. Your mixes benefit from cleaner recordings and more precise detail across the frequency spectrum.
• 2 in / 2 out layout with mic, line and Hi Z inputs - Record vocals and instruments at the same time using the studio grade mic / line input and dedicated front panel Hi Z instrument input. This makes it easy to track singer songwriter setups, voice and guitar parts, or quick demo ideas without extra hardware.
• Loopback and UAD software bundle for creators - Use loopback to combine live sources with computer audio for podcasts, livestreams and content creation, while the included UAD Volt Studio Bundle and LUNA DAW give you a powerful toolkit of compressors, reverbs, tape, synths and amps for professional sounding productions.

General

• Product: Universal Audio Volt 1 Gen 2
• Type: USB audio interface
• Simultaneous I/O: 2 in / 2 out
• Computer Connectivity: USB 2.0 (USB Type C connectors)
• Supported Sample Rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz
• Bit Depth: 32 bit
• Compatibility: Mac, Windows, iPad, iPhone
• Bus Powered: Yes (USB)

Analogue Inputs

• Mic / Line Input 2: XLR combo jack (pin 2 positive)
• Mic Input 2 Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.1 dB
• Mic Input 2 Dynamic Range (A weighted): 119 dB
• Mic Input 2 THD + Noise (1 kHz @ -1 dBFS): -108 dB (0.0004%)
• Mic Input 2 Maximum Input Level: 14.5 dBu
• Mic Input 2 Input Impedance: 2 kilohms
• Mic Input 2 Available Gain: 60 dB
• Phantom Power: +48 V (switchable)
• Line Input 2 Connector: ¼” combo jack, TRS balanced or TS unbalanced
• Line Input 2 Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.05 dB
• Line Input 2 Dynamic Range (A weighted): 119 dB
• Line Input 2 THD + Noise (1 kHz @ -1 dBFS): -108 dB (0.0004%)
• Line Input 2 Maximum Input Level: 22 dBu
• Line Input 2 Input Impedance: 10 kilohms
• Line Input 2 Available Gain: 60 dB
• Instrument Input 1 Connector: ¼” TS unbalanced
• Instrument Input 1 Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.03 dB
• Instrument Input 1 Dynamic Range (A weighted): 116 dB
• Instrument Input 1 THD + Noise (1 kHz @ -1 dBFS): -101 dB (0.0009%)
• Instrument Input 1 Maximum Input Level: 12.5 dBu
• Instrument Input 1 Input Impedance: 1 megohm
• Instrument Input 1 Available Gain: 60 dB
• Tone Shaping Preamp: 60 dB gain with Warmth, Focus and Shine modes

Analogue Outputs

• Monitor Outputs: 2 x ¼” TRS balanced (DC coupled)
• Monitor Output Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.04 dB
• Monitor Output Dynamic Range (A weighted): 122 dB
• Monitor Output THD + Noise (1 kHz @ -1 dBFS): -111 dB (0.0003%)
• Monitor Output Maximum Level: 20.2 dBu
• Monitor Output Impedance: 100 ohms
• Headphone Output: ¼” TRS stereo unbalanced (DC coupled)
• Headphone Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.1 dB
• Headphone Dynamic Range (A weighted): 121 dB
• Headphone THD + Noise (1 kHz @ -1 dBFS into 300 ohms): -108 dB (0.0004%)
• Maximum Output Power into 32 ohms: 52 mW
• Maximum Output Power into 300 ohms: 27 mW
• Headphone Mix: Shared with monitor mix

Connectivity and Control

• USB Host Port: 1 x USB 2.0 (USB C)
• USB External Power Input: 1 x USB C, 5 VDC @ 1 A minimum
• Digital / Optical I/O: None
• MIDI: None
• On / Off Switch: None
• Built in Loopback: Yes
• Works with: UAD Console app and LUNA Digital Audio Workstation

Power

• Power Source: USB bus power or external 5 VDC @ 1 A (via USB C power input)
• Power Consumption (@ 5 VDC): 2.4 W typical, 3.6 W maximum

System Requirements

• Mac: macOS 12 Monterey or newer, available USB 2.0 (or higher) port, internet connection for software downloads
• Windows: Windows 10 64 bit edition or newer, Intel, AMD or Apple silicon processor, available USB 2.0 (or higher) port, internet connection for software downloads
• iPad / iPhone: iPadOS / iOS 16 or newer
• DAW Compatibility: All major DAWs including Ableton Live, FL Studio, GarageBand, Logic Pro, Pro Tools and more
• Additional iOS Requirement: Apple Lightning to USB Camera Adapter for devices with Lightning connector

Included Software

• UAD Volt Studio Bundle
• LUNA Digital Audio Workstation
• Topline Vocal Tune
• UA 610 Tube Preamp & EQ Collection
• Century Tube Channel Strip
• Teletronix LA 2A Tube Compressor
• UA 1176 Classic FET Compressor
• Pure Plate Reverb
• Galaxy Tape Echo
• Oxide Tape Recorder
• Vibe Analog Machines
• PolyMAX Synth
• Anthem Analog Synth
• UAD Lion ’68 Super Lead Amp
• UAD Showtime ’64 Tube Amp
• Melodyne Essential by Celemony
• Ampeg SVT VR Classic Bass Bundle by Plugin Alliance (Ampeg SVT VR Classic, bx_Tuner, bx_Masterdesk_Classic)
• Virtual Drummer DEEP by UJAM
• Virtual Bassist DANDY by UJAM
• Splice INSTRUMENT
• Prisma - Producer Lab by UVI
• FL Studio Producer Edition (3 months free)