The Universal Audio Volt 4 Max is a 12-in / 6-out desktop USB audio interface with 32-bit / 192 kHz conversion, part of UA's second-generation Volt range. It pairs two tone-shaping mic preamps and compression built into the hardware with monitor-controller features, so it suits home and project studios that track vocals and instruments together, record other musicians, connect outboard and MIDI gear, or run podcasts and streams.
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Two Tone Shaping Preamps with 60 dB of gain and three character modes: Warmth (based on the UA 610 tube preamp), Focus (American solid-state console) and Shine (British Class-A circuitry)
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Max Processing compression in the interface itself, with six push-button presets for vocals, guitar and bass based on 1176 and LA-2A styles
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Monitor control with Main/Alt switching for two pairs of speakers, a built-in talkback mic and two headphone outputs (1/4" and 1/8") sharing one cue mix
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Expansion through an optical input for ADAT or S/PDIF (up to eight extra channels), line inputs and outputs 3-4 for outboard gear, and MIDI In/Out on 1/8" TRS (Type A)
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USB hub port that can power a USB MIDI controller
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Smart Display in full colour, showing inputs, levels, settings and gain-reduction metering
The three preamp modes and six compressor presets combine into 18 different tones, and because the shaping and compression happen in the hardware, you can commit a sound on the way in rather than relying on plug-ins at the tracking stage. Front-panel access includes two mic/line combo inputs and two Hi-Z instrument inputs, with 48V phantom power switchable per channel. Auto-Gain and Clip Protection help set safe levels quickly.
For content work, built-in loopback mixes live sources with computer audio for podcasts, livestreams and video calls. The Volt 4 Max works with the UAD Console app and LUNA, including session recall and low-latency cue mixes, and supports UAD Native plug-ins that run on the host computer; the unit has no onboard DSP. It is class-compliant on Mac, iPad and iPhone, while Windows uses UA's ASIO driver. Power comes over USB, and a 3 A USB power supply is included for setups with monitors and powered USB devices. The Volt 4P Max sister model offers the same I/O with four mic preamps instead of two.