Universal Audio VOLT476 Review

Intro

It has been four months since I started using the VOLT476. So, I decided to briefly summarize the characteristics of the VOLT that I discovered through actual use. At present, there aren’t many reviews of the VOLT in Japan, so I hope this will help anyone who is considering purchasing one.

UNIVERSAL AUDIO / VOLT 476 USB Recording Studio

Overview

Universal Audio is a manufacturer that has released numerous professional-grade audio equipment and plugins used by top engineers. The “VOLT” series is their line of audio interfaces aimed at entry-level users.
The VOLT476 I use is a model equipped with fully featured 4-in/4-out input and output terminals. Of course, it also includes the biggest attractions of this series: the vintage preamp and the emulation circuit of the 1176 compressor.
The exterior is stylish and has a premium feel, with wood-grain side panels that look great on a desk. It is truly an interface you’ll want to look at.

Usage Review

From here, I’ll take a closer look at the things I learned through using it myself.

● Good Points

Plenty of input terminals

From the start, I had decided that the product I chose needed at least four inputs and outputs. Since I planned to split a guitar signal with a splitter or reamp after recording, having only two ins/outs wouldn’t be enough.
Once I actually started using it, I was simply glad to have so many inputs! I realized just how easy it is to not have to constantly plug and unplug cables.
For music production, I use KORG’s hardware synth, the microKORG 2, so I use two of the rear inputs to record in stereo. Just this alone made the 4-in/4-out setup worth it.

Can be used in standalone mode

You can use it without connecting it to a computer. This is extremely convenient.
I use the VOX MV50 as my guitar amp, but I don’t own the cabinet that is sold for that model. So by connecting the MV50 to the VOLT and outputting the sound through monitor speakers, I can recreate an environment as if I had a cabinet speaker.
When I want to play guitar, booting up the computer every time is a bit of a hassle and feels wasteful. With standalone mode, I can build a much simpler practice setup.
If you use it this way and sound comes out of only one speaker, press the VOLT’s MONO button. When connecting to the VOLT from effects units that have stereo output, you don’t need to use MONO mode.

It has an ON/OFF switch

This overlaps with the above point, but having an ON/OFF switch allows you to completely separate computer use and interface use. When using it in standalone mode, leave the computer off and turn VOLT on. Conversely, when you only want to use the computer, simply turn the VOLT switch off. This also helps reduce unnecessary power consumption, so it’s recommended.

● Points of Concern

The 76 compressor increases the volume

When I turn on the 76 compressor, the volume rises quite a lot. This is the same in every mode. Perhaps this is because, due to the structure of the 76 comp, the input has to be boosted for the compressor to kick in.
When the volume increases, it tends to sound “better” just because it’s louder, so you need to be careful when judging whether the sound is actually improving. I think it’s a good idea to record once, match the volumes, and then compare.
So, I made a comparison video! The steps were as follows:

1. ① Record a clean-tone guitar into the looper of the multi-effects unit “G1 Four”.
2. ② Record in four patterns: no 76 comp, VOC, GTR, and FAST.
3. ③ Match the volume levels in the DAW.

I think you’ll be able to hear the differences between each mode, so please check it out.

Cannot adjust the gain for the rear inputs

Considering the product’s price, this is understandable, but of the four input terminals, the two on the rear do not have built-in preamps (and no 76 compressor either). Therefore, input gain can only be adjusted from the instrument, which can be a bit inconvenient.
As mentioned earlier, I always have my microKORG 2 connected, but even when the synth’s volume is at maximum, the level input to the DAW is fairly low. Of course, this is better than clipping, and you can adjust the volume after recording, so it’s not a major problem, but it is slightly inconvenient.
That said, in this price range, most products have only two preamps at most, and some even have only two inputs. Putting that into consideration, the current setup is sufficient.

To Summarize

The VOLT 76 series includes the 176, 276, and the recently released 876. There’s also the series without the 76 compressor, so the options are very diverse. I think many people considering a VOLT purchase right now are beginners, so I would like to end by sharing how to choose for that audience.
When selecting your first interface, there are two points to consider:

1. ① Do you want to use the 76 compressor for recording instruments or vocals?
2. ② Do you want to use it for a long time without having to upgrade?

First, regarding ①: this is really about whether the VOLT series is the best fit for you. Naturally, if you don’t think you’ll use the 76 compressor in recording, there’s no need to get the 76 series. Furthermore, if you won’t be recording at all and will produce only with software synths, you don’t even need the VOLT series. In a similar price range, products from Audient and others are also good options.

Next, regarding ②: for your first interface, you need to consider whether you want something you can use for a long time or something inexpensive to try out first. Here, the key is the interface’s inputs and outputs. If you want to get long-term use out of it, more ins and outs are better, since the number of instruments you want to record will likely increase. Conversely, if you plan to upgrade sometime after, fewer ins and outs are fine.

By focusing on these two points and considering your budget, you should be able to identify the audio interface that meets your needs.
Thank you very much for reading this time as well.

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