Volt 476 Hardware Manual This article contains complete instructions for Volt 476 hardware controls and connections. Note: To learn how to set up Volt with audio software and how to redeem your bundled software, please see the Volt Software 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 To learn how to set up Volt with recording software and how to redeem your bundled software, please see the Volt Software Manual. Introduction & Overview A Letter from Bill Putnam, Jr.
At UA, we're dedicated to the idea that technology should serve the creative process — not be a barrier. These are the very ideals my father embodied as he invented audio equipment. We believe Volt will earn its way into your creative workflow by providing stunning fidelity and rocksolid reliability for years to come. Please feel free to reach out to us via our website www.uaudio.com, and via our social media channels.
Volt 476 gives you simple 4-in/4-out audio connections. Just plug your mics, guitars, or synths into the front panel. Then connect your speakers or headphones to monitor your audio with no latency. With Volt, you’ll be producing like a pro, fast. 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.
• USB cable (included) • Intel, AMD, or Apple Silicon processor • (PC) Windows 10 64-bit edition • (macOS) 10.14 Mojave or later • Internet connection for software downloads iPad & iPhone • iPadOS / iOS 14 or later Volt 476 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.
(4) 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).
(6) Monitor Knob Rotate this knob to adjust the volume of speakers connected to the Monitor outputs. The output signal level meters (14) indicate the output levels. (7) Gain Knobs These knobs adjust the preamp gain for the microphones, instruments or line level devices attached to the inputs. For optimum gain, rotate the knob to adjust the input signal level while monitoring the source that is connected, so the input meter (12) shows signal but does not light red.
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 all-tube 610 console preamplifier, to the sound. When the button is lit orange, the circuit is active. (9) 76 Compressor Buttons Press these buttons to engage the 76 Compressors. The 76 Compressors can be used on mic, line, and instrument inputs.
FAST Very fast attack and medium release for aggressive compression Tip: Although these presets are designed to work well with these particular sources, you can use any setting with any source. Feel free to use the 76 Compressor creatively. SHAPING YOUR SOUND WITH THE VINTAGE PREAMP AND 76 COMPRESSOR Here’s some guidance to help you add just the right amount of analog saturation or compression to your track with the Vintage Preamp and 76 Compressor: 1. Start with the gain knob at zero. 2.
OUT – The OUT 1-2 and OUT 3-4 buttons route audio from the computer to the monitor outputs. Enable these buttons to hear sound from the audio software. MONITOR SOURCE NOTES • You can monitor multiple sources at the same time. Enable all sources that you want to route to monitor outputs and headphones. • Press the MONO button so it is lit blue to listen to the inputs panned to the center.
outputs, and also to the audio software. the monitor and headphone outputs. OUT 3-4 Audio software outputs 3-4 are routed to the monitor and headphone outputs. Audio software outputs 3-4 are not routed to monitor and headphone outputs. OUT 1-2 Audio software outputs 1-2 are routed to the monitor and headphone outputs. Audio software outputs 1-2 are not routed to monitor and headphone outputs. DEFAULT SETTING From the factory, OUT 1-2 is selected.
(12) Mono Button Press the mono button to route the monitor source direct inputs in mono instead of stereo. The button lights blue when enabled. Important: The mono button applies to Volt’s hardware inputs only. (13) Input Meters The input meters show the level of signal on the inputs. The red LED lights when the level is near 0 dB. To prevent undesirable clipping, adjust GAIN so only green and yellow meters light, and the red LED doesn't light.
Rear Panel (16) Line 3-4 Inputs Connect input sources for line inputs 3-4 here. These are ¼” balanced inputs designed for line-level sources, such as synths, external sound modules, or other line-level sources. Note: There are no gain controls on the line 3-4 inputs. Any level controls must be configured in your software. (17) 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.
the headphone outputs, even if no outputs are selected with the Monitor Source buttons. 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.
(20) 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). (21) 5VDC Power Use the 5VDC power supply when using Volt 476.
Host indicator doesn’t light • Power Volt off and back on. • Try a different USB port or USB hub. • Try a different USB cable. Crackling audio, dropouts, glitches Increase the buffer size setting in the software on your computer. When recording, you can use direct monitoring to record without latency at higher buffer sizes. (PC) ASIO driver not available in DAW Install the Volt hardware driver with the UA Connect app.
