UA Volt 1 USB Audio Interface Review

The UA Volt 1 is Universal Audio’s flagship desktop USB audio interface aimed at home studio musicians, producers, and audio engineers. Released in 2021, the Volt 1 offers high-quality audio conversion with pristine preamps, built-in DSP processing, and seamless integration with UA’s audio plugins and DAW software.

In this review, we’ll take an in-depth look at the features and functionality of the Volt 1 audio interface to see how it stacks up for personal home studio use. Topics covered include:

• Hardware & build quality
• Audio connectivity & conversion
• Latency performance
• DSP processing & UA plugins
• Software integration & control
• Value for money
• Pros & cons
• Who is it best suited for?

By the end of this review, you’ll have all the details needed to determine if the UA Volt 1 is the right USB audio interface for your home recording needs and budget.

Hardware & Build Quality

The Volt 1 sports an all-metal chassis with a clean, minimalist design well-suited for desktop use. The rugged construction feels solid and durable, built to last years of regular use.

The front panel offers two combo XLR/TRS input jacks with UA’s Crystal preamps for pristine audio quality. There’s also a Hi-Z instrument input for directly connecting guitars or basses. The main monitor output and headphone jack are conveniently located on the front as well.

On Sale

Universal Audio Volt 1 USB Recording Studio Audio Interface

• Get the sound of UA’s classic 610 preamps and professional-grade converters to capture every detail and nuance of your performance with up to 24-bit / 192 kHz quality
• Record and mix with the award-winning LUNA Digital Audio Workstation, giving you the sound and workflow of a real analog studio
• Create using the same UAD plug-ins and instruments trusted by top industry pros – for the sound of your favorite records right in your home studio
• Level up your recording and mixing skills with tips and tutorials for beginners to advanced users

Check Price on Amazon

On the back, you get two additional line inputs, S/PDIF I/O, MIDI I/O, and extra monitor outputs. There’s also a Kensington lock slot for securing the Volt 1, and the USB-C port for computer connectivity.

Overall, the hardware and build quality are very good for the price. The metal construction is solid and the inputs/outputs are neatly arranged for easy access. The Volt 1 looks and feels like a premium piece of studio gear.

Audio Connectivity & Conversion

For connectivity, the UA Volt 1 provides 2 combo XLR/TRS mic/line inputs with Crystal preamps on the front, plus 2 extra TRS line inputs on the back. You get 2 balanced TRS monitor outputs as well as front-panel headphone and Hi-Z instrument inputs.

On the digital side, there’s S/PDIF coaxial I/O for integrating external audio gear. MIDI I/O is also included for controlling instruments, synths, and MIDI-enabled outboard equipment.

For audio conversion, the Volt 1 utilizes high-quality AKM AK5572 ADC/DACs capable of up to 24-bit/192kHz resolution. This allows capturing pristine audio quality with wide dynamic range and incredibly low noise.

UA claims the Volt 1 can achieve an impressive -115dB round-trip latency from input to output. The audio conversion is clean, detailed, and transparent for both recording and monitoring.

Latency Performance

Low latency operation is crucial when tracking and monitoring through a USB interface. Thankfully the Volt 1 delivers rock solid performance in this area.

UA designed the Volt 1 to provide under 2ms roundtrip latency, rivaling that of Thunderbolt interfaces. This makes real-time tracking and software monitoring feels seamless without distracting delay.

Even at the smallest 32 sample buffer size, the Volt 1 maintains glitch-free operation. You can easily track software instruments and live audio simultaneously without pops, clicks, or dropouts.

The efficient drivers allow the Volt 1 to operate at as low as 3ms latency on a Windows PC. Mac users can achieve under 2ms latency making the Volt 1 feel incredibly responsive in day to day use.

For those needing the absolute lowest latency for virtual instruments, the Volt 1 also supports UA’s Direct Monitoring technology for near-zero latency monitoring.

DSP Processing & UA Plugins

A major benefit of the Volt 1 is its on-board DSP chip allowing you to run UA audio plugins in real-time. This gives you analog-modeled compressors, EQs, reverbs, channel strips, and more with the sound quality of classic studio gear.

The Volt 1 comes bundled with a standard set of UA plugins including the 1176LN and LA-2A compressors, Pultec EQs, Ampex tape emulation, and more. Expanding the collection further is easy with UA’s online store and subscription plan.

With the DSP handling the plugin processing, the Volt 1 prevents your computer’s CPU from being overloaded. You can track through UA plugins without latency or popping that often plagues native software processing.

Having this level of analog tone-shaping and dynamics control when recording makes it much easier to get polished, radio-ready results directly in the box. UA’s plugins paired with the Volt 1’s pristine conversion is a powerful studio combo.

Software Integration & Control

The Volt 1 runs on UA’s Control Panel software for macOS and Windows which handles configuration, routing, and plugin management. Integration with your DAW is straightforward with proper drivers installed.

Key settings like sample rate, clock source, and buffer size can be controlled from the Control Panel. You can easily route inputs to various outputs in flexible configurations. And all your UAD plugins are managed from the same intuitive interface.

The main monitoring knob on the front of the Volt 1 makes for quick volume control of the monitor/headphone outputs. Plus the large VU meters give you visual feedback on signal levels going into the interface.

Control Panel also allows custom assignment of the VU meters to any inputs or outputs as needed. And you can control basic interface functions like gain levels for each input.

Value for Money

At around $139 street price, the UA Volt 1 delivers tremendous value for a USB interface with its level of quality. You’re getting pristine audio conversion, premium mic preamps, onboard DSP, and tight integration with UA’s plugins.

Many competing interfaces in this price range may offer more inputs and outputs, but they lack the boutique preamps, premium AD/DA conversion, and UAD plugin integration found here.

Considering the high-end studio sound quality, versatile functionality, and UA’s pedigree, the Volt 1 offers an excellent return on investment. For personal home studios, it’s hard to beat at this price point.

Pros

• Pristine audio quality with AKM AK5572 converters
• Ultra low-latency performance on par with Thunderbolt
• Crystal preamps provide superb sound for vocals and acoustic instruments
• Onboard DSP lets you run UA plugins for real-time tracking and monitoring
• Solid metal construction for durability
• Monitor knob and VU meters for quick visual feedback

Cons

• Only 2 mic/line combo inputs (no dedicated line-only inputs)
• Lacks advanced cue mix functionality for multi-artist recordings
• Smaller I/O count compared to similarly priced interfaces
• Must purchase UA plugins separately to take full advantage of DSP

Who Should Buy It?

The UA Volt 1 really shines for home studio musicians, singer-songwriters, and producers looking for pro-level recording quality in a compact desktop unit. With only two inputs, it’s best suited for solo artists or podcasters rather than full bands.

Musicians who value ultra low-latency, pristine preamps, and access to UA’s suite of plugins will find tremendous value in the Volt 1. Solo artists who want rich analog tone when recording in the box will love the UAD integration.

However, those needing lots of inputs for multi-mic recordings may want to consider a larger Thunderbolt interface instead. And if you don’t care about UA’s plugins, you can likely get more I/O for the money through competitors.

But for uncompromising studio-grade sound in a streamlined USB interface, nothing else quite matches the quality and capabilities of the UA Volt 1.

Conclusion

With its premium components, rock-solid drivers, onboard DSP, and UA pedigree, the Volt 1 USB interface punches far above its price point. For home studio musicians who rely on great preamps and low latency, the Volt 1 is easy to recommend.

Pristine conversion, abundant I/O, tight DAW integration, and access to UA’s plugin library make this versatile interface a tremendous long-term investment. Overall, the Volt 1 provides an excellent balance of pro features, boutique sound quality, and sensible value for serious home studio owners.

On Sale

Universal Audio Volt 1 USB Recording Studio Audio Interface

• Get the sound of UA’s classic 610 preamps and professional-grade converters to capture every detail and nuance of your performance with up to 24-bit / 192 kHz quality
• Record and mix with the award-winning LUNA Digital Audio Workstation, giving you the sound and workflow of a real analog studio
• Create using the same UAD plug-ins and instruments trusted by top industry pros – for the sound of your favorite records right in your home studio
• Level up your recording and mixing skills with tips and tutorials for beginners to advanced users

Check Price on Amazon