I love the UA Volt 276, but it's not why you think
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- Опубликовано: 25 июл 2024
- Today we're looking at the Universal Audio Volt 276 Audio Interface with a built in 1176 style compressor. I focus on the compressor types and how it can be used for podcasting and video calls.
For a deep dive into the specs, check out Julian Krause's video: • Universal Audio VOLT 2...
0:00 Intro
0:23 Overall Build
1:56 Video Calls
2:33 Compressor Overview
2:48 Compressor Examples
5:42 My General Thoughts
6:22 Gripes & Wrapup 
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Nice, I just got this and plan to use it for video calls as well. Overkill compared to what most people do, but I can also use it for adding clearer voice overs to my videos. I loved seeing the live usage of the device in your audio tests!
Thanks and have fun with it!
Cool video. Thanks for the review of the compression as that was the info I needed to to help me in my decision. 🤘🏽
Thanks! I'm glad you found it helpful :)
still looking for a Volt Motu showdown -- great review!
This video was very informative as I was considering buying a volt!
Love, from Japan
Hey thank you, it means a lot! Whatever you choose, I hope you enjoy it. ✌️from Texas
Hey thank you, it means a lot! Whatever you choose, I hope you enjoy it. ✌️from Texas
Great job and clear to understand what you were saying. Thanks
No no, thank you!
great info man, thanks
guitar center 💙 hahaha great review mate, im seriously thinking on getting one
Ha! Hey thanks! It means a lot
Sounds like a de-esser in the chain with those compressors on might be a good idea.
Your channel slaps. That's all🖤
Hey thanks, it means a lot!
id like to see this vs the apogee boom. the apogee has DSP onboard that might hold up against the volt's onboard compression. even if it's not analog, it might be more useful and the apogee does have nice drivers.
If you don't play guitar and use the DI, or have a seperate DI box the Lewitt connect 6 is pretty good too since it's in the same price range
Thank you
U can use obs and add plugins to route ur audio through then out put to ur calling software setup is fairly straightforward of windows but I’m not 100% of the process on mac
Thanks! Would you use it in place of a dedicated UAD 1176 compressor plugin for voiceover?
For loudness keys to work again I use Sound Source from Rogue Amoeba. Not only for that functionality a definite recommendation!
Ahhh interesting! I'll have to check it out. Thanks!
Very practical for lots of things, I also recommend Sound Source!
Awesome
Pretty good review, looking for a streaming and recording interface.
Hey thanks!
I wish the phantom for mic did not apply to all inputs once engaged. Next version would be nice if it had six or eight channels and included adat .
The VOLT 476 has more inputs. :)
I've also got an M2 but I get VERY animated in my daily live stream and need a compressor to hold back clipping. Tried the Mixcast 4 but I got feedback from my monitors. I consider a dbx 286 but would really prefer an all in one. Are you happy with it?
Still love the 276 for audio calls and podcast recording. Highly recommend
I haven't been able to find an answer to this yet: Does the Volt 276 work in standalone mode analog or are ADC and DAC involved for monitoring via the outputs?
your answer is yes it has , watch julian krause video to get your answer
Could you please tell me how did you manage to get nice lighting on your wall? :)
Ha! It's just a few Philips Hue color bulbs in IKEA lamps, pointed at the wall and / or bounced off the ceiling.
Do you think having the compressor on Volt 276 is much better than getting just Volt 2 without the compressor, do you think it justifies the higher price? Thanks for the review.
If you're recording instruments and vocals into a DAW where you can control the amount of input and also run plugins, then the Volt 2 will be great. In my case, I like using the compressor for live video calls.
There is something to be said for the character that the compressor gives to the signal. For instance, since having this thing for a while, I've experimented with overdriving the signal into the compressor. You can get some nice harmonic distortion this way. The "vintage mode" also adds a little "air" and subtle harmonic distortion in the top end.
Deciding between this and the vocaster two, any thoughts on what to choose?
I've watched reviews on the Vocaster but haven't tested it myself. Buy both, test, and return one 😉
What program do you use to see the waveforms? 5:15
That's Adobe Audition. I like it for things like this-analyzing and fixing little things.
How did you release your XLR cable? did you notice after you plug your XLR in it is impossible to pull it out? You will never have access to use that channel with TRS Quarter inch input. I have 2 Volts a 4/76 and a 2/76 my XLR cables a permanently locked in. They have no release tab.
Hahah use your muscles. They come out.
Guitar Center is about to get reallll loud.
😂
😭😭😭 part has me dying after I had read comment
😂
You can actually just level gain both inputs at the middle...and that will make up for the -5 or 6 db increase....
If you turn the levels all the way up, then turn on the compressor, you still get the boost. Either way, the compressors are boosting.
How much of an upgrade is the Volt 276 compared to my first generation Scarlett Focusrite 2i2??
The only real upgrade is the built in compressor. Otherwise, they're very similar in specs.
Damn confused between this and Audient iD14 mkii.... Just for the preamps... I know that the compressors are a +
I have the iD4 MKII, which on paper has even slightly better performance than the iD14 MKII. And it rocks...
I'm a bit torn between getting the Volt 176 or keeping this. Sadly, none of the Volt series members have loopback recording.
I subscribed and thumbed up, any chance you could answer a question? I bought this for live-streaming and the direct button on blue still doesn’t mono my input. When I listen back everything is 100% only in my left ear, and if I switch inputs everything goes 100%
Is there no way to get a simple mono signal back? I DI out from my amp, so I only need one input. Should I get the 176 instead? Thanks in advances
Thanks for the sub! Pressing the direct button once gives you separate input monitoring (input 1 in left ear for example). Pressing it a second time puts it in both ears.
Pressing once, the button turns orange. Press again and it turns blue. Blue will give you the mono signal in both ears.
@@llllMills i think I have a defective unit :( thanks for thw response!
Hi would this interface be great for a talking head recording for RUclips videos in your opinion? I’ll be connected straight to my Camera not the computer
I wouldn't recommend putting this between you and your camera. It's just not built for that purpose.
And I'm not sure I would put anything between you and your camera. I guess in theory you could put a proper compressor in the chain before you go into your camera. I'm not sure what kind of latency that would introduce, if any.
@@llllMills thank you
That sounds...better than the SSL 2+ yep...getting one...LOL
do you make beats or something the music behind you is amazing!
Thanks! I do make the music in my videos. I currently release under two names: Dudd, fogboi
@@llllMills Nice! do you sell your beats somewhere i can check out?
I wonder if this will be about the horrible white noise that the 76 comp is supposedly imposing on all audio run trhough it...
Ha! Did you comment without watching?
@@llllMills I commented based on the thumbnail/description as I was starting to watch it!
What an interesting way to watch RUclips videos! So what did you think? I haven't noticed any noise with the compressor on.
@@llllMills well maybe am just weird like that 😁...am thinking of getting this unit because of the built in analog processing. But found a reddit theead where some one was saying that the comp adds a ton of white noise...and that if you track using that it will be useless because the noise keeps stacking. Nevertheless. Am only interested in using it on a complete projects on the mpc1 when recording them to a DAW. Also this unit (476) has 4 out an ins. Wich would be handy if I ever wanted to take audio out of the mpc/DAW and route It to some external hardware...I was only worries about the possibly noisy comp and overral built Quality but it seems that I need not to worry and just buy this sweeeet piece of kit 😍
Edit/ and the power button and wallpower is great because I do work mostly from mpc1 standalone Mode.
😉
Yeah I don't think noise is an issue. So far I love this thing. I say go for it!
what's better for mixing video audio and podcasts : the volt 2 or the volt 276?
Mixing? They're both great. Recording? I prefer the 276 bc of the built in compressors for the mic.
when plugged into a Mac Studio ultra are any extra accessories needed other than xls to mic ? it comes with all cords ? also how good is the free $299 software they offer with it till the end of the year ?@@llllMills
Whast mic is conect ? thanks friend
This is the Audio Technica AT-2040 dynamic mic. I have a video reviewing that one as well.
@@llllMills Thanks my Friend Excelent Job
Do You recommend this ? Or the ssl 2+ ?
I haven't tested the SSL, but I like the look of the UA Volt much better (you do have to look at it all the time 😂). I'm sure you can't go wrong with either unit. I think the SSL is a little cheaper, so if that's a concern, I'd say go with that one.
ssl2+ has more gain and clean preamp , if you want to podcast or vocal ssl2+ is good
subjective if looking for preamp sound, Volt sound warm , SSL2 Sound neutral but litle bit bright
but if you looking for feature go with Volt 76 series
but if you looking for clean preamp go with SSL
Hard to say who overwal better
Just install loopback for volume control
does it sound better than the m2?
There's no way to say. "Better" is subjective. Technically, on paper, the M2 is "better" in a lot of ways. The M2 has a little more gain on the inputs, but as far as I can tell, no noticeable noise difference. After using both for a while, I can't tell a difference in sound quality. I would recommend both equally on every feature, except for the built in compressor (of which the M2 does not have).
@@llllMills thanks for the reply, i currently use the m2. was interested in the built in compressor
What is your favorite ? this Volt or the Motu M2 ??
I'm going to have to go with the Volt. What are you thinking?
@@llllMills I hesitate between the two 😅 I like the sound of the Motu, and I like the UA Volt because UA made finaly a interface without DSP ! What you think about the quality output phone amp ? Which one are better for you ?
@@JasonicIR8 I don't remember hearing a difference between the headphone amps. Both had plenty of power for my 250ohm 770's
@@llllMills A big thanks for your answer ! I m think I will take the Motu :)
Well Dude, I have it too but what's about MIDI ? I was traing to connect it with my Roland S1 via MIDI Yesterday. It was in vain ...
MIDI works great for me on the Mac. I connect it to my external synthesizers no problem.
@@llllMills Well I was traing to get my Roland S1 connected via MIDI to GarageBand and it was without a result unfortunatly. If you ll prescribe the way you did it, thx.
why you need that effort just for miner sound effects. somebody explain for me please?
It's not for sound effects. The compressor keeps your input level from clipping (distorting). This allows you to get get loud and quiet and then loud again, with a more even sound level than without a compressor.
@@llllMills how I can use it with my iphone 13 shooting video? I want to use it for filming video podcasts and I need it for mic.
@@likeris2 I haven't tried this, but you're supposed to be able to use it on iOS. iPhone will need the lightning to usb adapter. iPad needs either the same adapter or direct USB-C.
You might need an app that can take advantage of the interface (like a DAW or music app). You should be able to use GarageBand and other apple audio apps. I'd be curious if it works with apps like Zoom and other video conferencing.
I guess for newbies is cool but that's about it
I wouldn't buy a UA Volt 276 if it wasn't supposed to produce music, honestly. I was kind of confused when you compared it to Motu M2 and Focusrite. But then I understood that you're analyzing it on the perspective of vlogging. Because, in the perspective of music production, the fact that the Volt 276 has Universal Audio's vintage preamp circuit and a compressor based on the classic 1176 model built in, makes it incomparable to any basic interface like Focusrite Scarlett 2i2. And this is because those circuits are not only to prevent clipping. Those circuits in the Volt 276, actually, are going to deliver analog saturation to the audio, which is very pleasant to the ears and impossible to achieve with digital processing. So, if you are not a musician, I do not recommend you to buy this interface. Just stick with any normal audio interface and use very low input gain to prevent clipping. In my opinion, the Volt 276 was made for low budget producers, who can't afford to buy analog equipment, but also wants to apply some analog color/saturation to their recordings.
Having the compressor on is great though. Instant radio voice for videos, streams, etc.
@@DerRabenbarde Tottally. I agree. However, if you're on low budget, and you also don't actually need the "analoggy" sound of the UA Volt 276, you can use any regular "cheap" digital audio interface, record your voice with low input gain and apply any zero latency digital compressor plugin to smoothen the audio dynamics and then amplify it to the desired volume. You'll basically have the same effect of the UA Volt 276. You can even configure the compressor to be on default in your recording app. You just won't have the analog saturation, which, for general use, is not necessary in my opinion
@@DerRabenbarde Would you use that for voiceover recordings, in place of an UAD 1176 plugin?
The volumen of this audio interface is really bad!!. I'm planning to replace it soon. It is very good looking, and well built and the sounds is actually good, but yes ther are better options.
What type of calls are you taking where you need to have an audio interface
Are you talking to god??
To use the dynamic mic I have, I need one. I also want more control than a USB mic gives me.
So no autogain
Huh??? Does any interface around this price level even have that?
I've gone through specs and reviews for probably all 2-in/2-out interfaces in this price bracket and haven't seen that mentioned for any of them.
@@danielpujol8266 If you put a button for a compressor or " vintage " on it, you gotta have autogain. If it does crank the gain by 6 or 7 db like Mills said in the video, you gotta have a minus 6 or 7 output. For me it makes sense. If you don't , than you just bring the noise floor up. I know it's not like obviously audible but it's still something that you should have on a basic compressor . I mean, it was their choice . A basic compressor does not add gain to the source ,that's the input knob, a compressor just has to compress and add color if that's the case. That's my opinion . also science
@@danielpujol8266 The Audient EVO series have that, albeit for a much more plasticky build quality.
Anyone ever say you sound like timthetatman 😅
Ha! Idk who that is... looking them up now...hopefully it's a good thing
@@llllMillsit's a good thing, he is a legend
I hear waaa waaa waaa my volume wont work. Are you trying to be a serious You tuber?