The Universal Audio Volt 2 Max is a 10-in/4-out desktop USB audio interface that adds onboard compression to two Tone Shaping mic preamps. Max Processing offers six compressor presets for vocals, guitar and bass, modeled on classics like the LA-2A and 1176, and together with the three Tone modes it gives more than 18 recording characters. A built-in talkback mic, two headphone outputs, MIDI and an ADAT or S/PDIF input fill out the panel, and the whole unit runs on USB bus power.

Tone Shaping and Max Processing

Each preamp has its own Tone setting. Warmth takes its tube character from the UA 610 preamp, Focus brings the tight transients of American solid-state consoles, and Shine adds the open top end of British Class-A desks. Max Processing compresses in real time while you track, with presets named Great Vocal, Rap Vocal, Album Vocal, Electric Guitar, Jangly Acoustic and Tight Bass, and the Smart Display shows gain reduction next to the input level. Auto-Gain sets recording levels and Clip Protection catches stray peaks.

Connections and Software

Two front-panel Hi-Z inputs take guitar and bass, and the optical input adds up to eight ADAT channels. MIDI In and Out use 3.5 mm TRS jacks, and the USB-C hub port powers a MIDI controller or other peripheral. Headphone outputs on 1/4" and 1/8" jacks share one cue mix for two listeners. Volt 2 Max is class compliant on Mac, iPad and iPhone, and Windows uses the UA ASIO driver from the UA Connect app. UA includes LUNA Free and a bundle of UAD plug-ins and instruments, among them the Teletronix LA-2A and UA 1176 compressors and the UA 610 Tube Preamp & EQ Collection. UA sets the bundle contents and can change them.

Features

• 10-in/4-out desktop USB audio interface with 32-bit/192 kHz conversion
• Two Tone Shaping preamps with 60 dB of gain and Warmth, Focus and Shine modes
• Max Processing with six compressor presets per channel, modeled on the LA-2A and 1176
• Two rear XLR/TRS combo inputs and two front-panel Hi-Z instrument inputs
• Built-in talkback microphone
• ADAT or S/PDIF optical input for up to eight more channels
• MIDI In and Out, plus a USB-C hub port for peripherals
• Full-color Smart Display with gain-reduction metering
• Assistive Auto-Gain and Clip Protection
• Two headphone outputs (1/4" and 1/8") with one shared cue mix
• Independent +48V phantom power on each channel
• Built-in loopback for podcasting and streaming
• USB bus power, with a second USB-C port for a 5 VDC supply when the host cannot power it

Specifications

• Simultaneous I/O: 10-in/4-out
• Inputs: Two XLR/TRS combo (mic/line), two 1/4" TS instrument on the front panel, one optical (ADAT or S/PDIF)
• Outputs: Two 1/4" TRS balanced monitor outputs, two stereo headphone outputs (1/4" and 1/8")
• Max Processing presets: Great Vocal, Rap Vocal, Album Vocal, Electric Guitar, Jangly Acoustic, Tight Bass
• Talkback: Built-in microphone
• ADAT input: 8 channels at 44.1/48 kHz, 4 at 88.2/96 kHz, 2 at 176.4/192 kHz (S/MUX)
• MIDI: In and Out, 3.5 mm TRS (Type A)
• Conversion: 32-bit, 44.1 to 192 kHz
• Mic inputs: 119 dB dynamic range (A-weighted), -110 dB THD+N, 14 dBu maximum input, 2 kilohms
• Instrument inputs: 116 dB dynamic range, 13 dBu maximum input, 1 megohm
• Monitor outputs: 126 dB dynamic range, -112 dB THD+N, 20.2 dBu maximum output
• USB: USB 2.0 host port, 5 VDC power port and hub port (5 VDC, 0.5 A maximum), all USB-C
• Power: USB bus powered, 4.1 W typical, 5.7 W maximum, rear power switch
• Compatibility: macOS 12 or newer, Windows 10 64-bit or newer, iPadOS and iOS 16 or newer
• Dimensions (W x D x H): 7.5 x 4.5 x 2.1 in
• Weight: 1.3 lbs (0.6 kg)

In the Box

• Volt 2 Max USB audio interface
• 1 m USB-C to USB-C cable