Volt 2 Max USB Audio Interface

New

Videos

Volt 2 Max USB Audio Interface

A record-making machine, right on your desk.

Tone Shaping Preamps. Get the rich character of a record, not a demo.
Max Processing. Record with classic compressor presets tuned for vocals, guitar, and bass.
Full 32-Bit Audio. Hear your performance in incredible detail with legendary UA quality.
Mics, Instruments & More. Capture your vocals and instruments simultaneously, connect instruments over MIDI, and add inputs over ADAT.
Smart Display. Select channels and set levels fast with bright visual feedback.
Auto-Gain & Clip Protection. Never worry about signal peaks ruining your take again.
Mobile Ready. Record anywhere with USB bus power — no external power supply needed.*
Premium UAD Software. Get the same EQs, compressors, synths, and guitar amps used by the pros, plus the award-winning LUNA DAW.

Downloads & Details

Downloads

Download UA Connect

Read Manual

Details

10-in / 4-out desktop USB audio interface with professional 32-bit / 192 kHz audio conversion
Two Tone Shaping Preamps with 60 dB gain and three harmonic character modes — Warmth, Focus, and Shine — for the rich sounds of classic analog mic preamps at the source
Max Processing — onboard realtime compression with six musical presets for vocals, guitars, and bass, modeled on classics like the LA-2A and 1176
Over 18 character combinations by pairing Tone and Max, all completely noise-free
Two mic / line inputs with two front-panel Hi-Z instrument inputs
Built-in talkback microphone for effortless studio communication
ADAT or S/PDIF optical input for up to eight channels of digital expansion, plus MIDI In and Out
Onboard USB hub for connecting peripherals and powering external MIDI controllers
Full-color Smart Display for bright, at-a-glance visual feedback, including gain-reduction metering
Auto-Gain and Clip Protection for perfect recording levels, every time
Two studio-quality headphone outputs (with one shared cue mix) for monitoring and collaboration
Full integration with the UAD Console app and LUNA, including session recall and low-latency cue mixes
Built-in loopback for podcasting, streaming, and content creation
Independent 48V phantom power per channel for condenser microphones
USB bus-powered and class-compliant for easy setup with Mac, Windows, iPad, and iPhone*
Stylish, rugged construction built to withstand years of use

What’s Included

Included Volt Software (Subject to Change)

UAD Volt Studio Bundle

LUNA Free
Topline Vocal Tune
UA 610 Tube Preamp & EQ Collection
Century Tube Channel Strip
Teletronix LA-2A Tube Compressor
UA 1176 Classic FET Compressor
Pure Plate Reverb
Galaxy Tape Echo
Oxide Tape Recorder
Vibe Analog Machines
Vibe Analog Machines Essentials
PolyMAX Synth
Anthem Analog Synth
UAD Lion '68 Super Lead Amp
UAD Showtime ’64 Tube Amp

Additional Software

Melodyne Essential by Celemony
Ampeg® SVT-VR Classic Bass Bundle by Plugin Alliance (Includes Ampeg SVT-VR Classic, bx_Tuner, bx_Masterdesk_Classic)
Virtual Drummer DEEP by UJAM
Virtual Bassist DANDY by UJAM
Splice INSTRUMENT
Prisma - Producer Lab by UVI
FL Studio Producer Edition (3 months free)
Access to exclusive Puremix audio education content

10-In / 4-Out

Tone-Shaping Preamps

Max Processing

Full 32-Bit Audio

Premium UAD Software

Smart Display

Built-In Talkback Mic

Easy to Use

Studio Sound at the Push of a Button

Home recordings and phone demos can sound thin and lifeless. Volt Max gives your recordings incredible tone right from the start. With three harmonic mic preamp modes — Warmth, Focus, and Shine — you can quickly add Tube, Solid State, and British Class-A tone to everything you record.

Add Punch with Max Processing

Volt Max lets you punch up your vocals, guitars, bass, and other sources as you track, thanks to Max dynamics processing. With six push-button presets ranging from “Rap Vocals” to “Jangly Acoustic,” you’ll get big, radio-ready sounds based on our venerable 1176 and LA-2A studio compressors. Combined with its three preamp modes, it puts 18 inspiring sonic possibilities right at your fingertips.

Hear Every Detail with 32-Bit Converters

When you capture that perfect take, Volt Max’s best-in-class 32-bit / 192 kHz converters preserve every detail, exactly as it happened. And with loud, clear speaker and headphone outputs, you’ll get the perfect monitoring levels, from your first take to your final mix.

Start Small, Expand When You’re Ready

With Volt Max, your audio interface never becomes a bottleneck. Use its dual mic and Hi-Z instrument inputs to record multiple vocalists and instruments at the same time. Tap into clean 48V phantom power for your fancy studio condenser mics. Connect your controllers and synths over MIDI. And with ADAT you can add eight more digital inputs, should the need arise.

See the Big Picture with Smart Display

Volt Max’s beautiful full-color Smart Display shows your inputs, levels, and settings in detail. So you spend less time setting up and more time creating.

Get the Perfect Levels with Auto-Gain

Nothing’s worse than a perfect take wrecked by digital distortion. Auto-Gain sets your recording levels in seconds, and Clip Protection catches unexpected peaks. So you can focus on the performance instead of the meters.

Turn Anywhere You Go into a Studio

Volt 2 Max is bus-powered. That means you don’t need a power outlet or external power supply to make music. Or even a studio space. Just plug Volt Max into your computer, tablet, or phone, pull up a session and get to work.*

Start Making Music in Minutes

When you’re inspired, every second counts. Thankfully, Volt Max is ready, willing, and USB class-compliant on Mac, Windows, iPad, and iPhone.* No downloads or drivers. Works with any DAW. So you can be up and recording in minutes.

Shape Your Songs with UAD Plug-Ins and LUNA

Every Volt includes over 15 UAD plug-ins and instruments — the same software used to create and mix countless hit records for decades. Plus you get LUNA, our award-winning DAW with authentic “big studio” sound and smart tools designed to make recording easy.

Ideal for Podcasts and Livestreams

Volt Max’s Loopback feature allows you to blend live sources with computer audio. So you can mix podcasts and livestreams in realtime. Or just level up your video calls. There’s even a Talkback mic to communicate with talent. It’s the same way pro broadcasters work, built into every Volt.

*Requires an Apple Lightning to USB Camera Adapter (except iPhone / iPads with USB-C). Windows systems use the ASIO driver, available in the UA Connect app. Requirements for bus-power vary by model and device.

Specifications

I/O

Simultaneous I/O: 10-in / 4-out
Microphone Preamps: Two, 60 dB available gain with Tone Shaping, Harmonic Saturation, and Max Compression
Monitor Outputs: One stereo
Headphone Outputs: Two stereo (one shared cue mix)
USB: One USB 2.0 Host port One USB Hub port for peripherals – supplies 5VDC @ 0.5A maximum One USB External Power input port – requires 5VDC @ 1A minimum USB Type-C connectors
Digital / Optical: ADAT or S/PDIF optical input ADAT IN: 8 channels at 44.1 and 48 kHz - S/MUX capable 4 channels at 96 kHz - S/MUX capable 2 channels at 192 kHz S/PDIF IN: 2 channels at all supported sample rates
MIDI: In, Out, 1/8" TRS Mini-Jack MIDI Type A
Talkback: Built-in microphone

A/D – D/A Conversion

Supported Sample Rates (kHz): 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192
Bit Depth: 32

Power

USB Bus-Powered: Yes
Power Consumption (@ 5VDC): 4.1W typical, 5.7W maximum
On / Off Switch: Yes - Rear Panel

Analog I/O

Instrument Inputs 1-2

Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.02 dB
Dynamic Range (A–weighted): 116 dB
THD + Noise (1 kHz @ -1 dBFS): -108 dB (0.0004%)
Maximum Input Level: 13 dBu
Input Impedance: 1 Megohms
Available Gain (Digitally-controlled): 60 dB
Connector Type: 1/4" TS unbalanced

Microphone Inputs 1-2

Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.08 dB
Dynamic Range (A–weighted): 119 dB
THD + Noise (1 kHz @ -1 dBFS): -110 dB (0.0003%)
Maximum Input Level: 14 dBu
Input Impedance: 2 Kilohms
Available Gain (Digitally-controlled): 60 dB
Phantom Power: +48V (switchable per channel)
Connector Type: XLR Combo Jack, pin 2 positive

Line Inputs 1-2

Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.05 dB
Dynamic Range (A–weighted): 119 dB
THD + Noise (1 kHz @ -1 dBFS): -108 dB (0.0004%)
Maximum Input Level: 22 dBu
Input Impedance: 10 Kilohms
Available Gain (Digitally-controlled): 60 dB
Connector Type: 1/4" Combo Jack TRS balanced or TS unbalanced

Monitor Outputs

Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.05 dB
Dynamic Range (A–weighted): 126 dB
THD + Noise (1 kHz @ -1 dBFS): -112 dB (0.0003%)
Maximum Output Level: 20.2 dBu
Output Impedance: 200 Ohms
Connector Type: 1/4" TRS balanced (DC coupled)

Headphone Outputs

Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.08 dB
Dynamic Range (A–weighted): 116 dB
THD + Noise (1 kHz @ -1 dBFS into 300Ω): -103 dB (0.0007%)
Maximum Output Power into 32Ω: 45 mW
Maximum Output Power into 300Ω: 24 mW
Connector Type: 1/4" and 1/8" TRS stereo unbalanced (DC coupled)

System Requirements

macOS & Windows

Available USB 2.0 (or higher) port
USB cable (included)
Intel, AMD, or Apple silicon processor
Windows 10 64-bit edition or newer
macOS 12 Monterey or newer
Internet connection for software downloads

iPad & iPhone

iPadOS / iOS 16 or newer

DAW Compatibility

All major DAWs, including Ableton Live, FL Studio, GarageBand, Logic Pro, Pro Tools, and more

Compare Models

UA Studio Sessions

Exploring Volt's Tone Shaping Preamps

There are a lot of reasons a recording can fail the vibe check. But one of the most overlooked is what's happening before your signal ever reaches your DAW.

Best Plug-Ins for Your Volt USB Audio Interface

You just unboxed your Volt audio interface and are looking to take your recordings even further. UAD plug-ins are your ticket to getting mixes that sound pro.

Capture Classic Sounds Anywhere with Volt

Selecting a new audio interface is no small task. Sound, versatility, and convenience all compete against a backdrop of price. With Volt USB Recording Studios, you get a thoughtfully designed all-in-one option from Universal Audio that checks every box.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, the Volt 2 Max is worth it if you want studio-style compression and preamp character built right into a compact desktop USB audio interface. It adds Max Processing, with six compressor presets based on the 1176 and LA-2A, to two Tone Shaping Preamps, a Smart Display with gain-reduction metering, and 32-bit / 192 kHz conversion. With additional ADAT input, MIDI In and Out, two headphone outputs, and a talkback mic, it packs a lot of studio into a small footprint.

Volt 2 Max records with preamp tone and classic UA compression at the source, something few USB audio interfaces offer at any size. Pairing its three Tone Shaping Preamp modes with six Max compression presets gives you over 18 character combinations, so vocals, guitars, and bass can sound finished while you track. It's bus-powered too, so all that tone goes wherever you do.

Max Processing is the onboard realtime compression built into the Volt 2 Max, with six push-button presets for vocals, guitars, and bass. The presets are based on UA's 1176, LA-2A and VCA studio compressors, with names like "Rap Vocals" and "Jangly Acoustic" that tell you exactly what each one is for. You get punchy, controlled, radio-ready sound on the way in, without needing to learn a compressor first.

Choose the Volt 2 Max over the Volt 2 Gen 2 if you want onboard compression and more ways to connect. Both have two Tone Shaping Preamps, a Smart Display, Auto-Gain, and 32-bit conversion, but Volt 2 Max adds Max Processing, gain-reduction metering, ADAT or S/PDIF optical input, MIDI In and Out, a USB hub, a talkback mic, and a second headphone output. Volt 2 Gen 2 is the simpler pick if you want two great-sounding inputs, effortless workflow, and nothing more.

Volt 2 Max takes over from the Volt 276 as the two-input Volt with onboard compression, expanding to six Max presets based on both the 1176, LA-2A and VCA types. It also moves up to 32-bit / 192 kHz conversion, three Tone Shaping Preamp modes, and a full-color Smart Display with Auto-Gain and Clip Protection. It also adds an ADAT or S/PDIF input, a USB hub, talkback, and a second ⅛” headphone output. If the 276's built-in compressor was your favorite feature, Volt 2 Max gives you a lot more of it.

The Volt 2 Max has six Max Processing presets tuned for vocals, guitars, and bass, ranging from "Rap Vocals" to "Jangly Acoustic." Each preset draws on the character of UA's 1176 FET compressor, LA-2A optical compressor, and studio VCA designs, the same units heard on decades of hit records. Pick the preset that matches your source, and the Smart Display shows gain reduction so you can see the compression working as you drive into it with the preamp gain control.

The Volt 2 Max lets you pair any of its three Tone Shaping Preamp modes with any of its six Max compression presets, giving you over 18 character combinations. For example, Warmth with a vocal preset gives you a rich, tube-flavored lead vocal, while Focus with a bass preset delivers tight, punchy low end. Every combination is a button press away, so you can audition sounds quickly and keep the one that fits the song.

The Smart Display on the Volt 2 Max shows your inputs, levels, settings, and gain reduction in full color, and Auto-Gain sets your recording levels in seconds. Clip Protection catches unexpected peaks before they distort. Seeing both level and compression on the unit means you can set up a great-sounding take without looking at your computer.

The Volt 2 Max is a 10-in / 4-out interface, with two analog mic / line inputs plus up to eight digital channels over ADAT optical. Connect an ADAT-equipped mic preamp and you can expand from two mics to ten, and the optical input also handles two-channel S/PDIF. MIDI In and Out and a USB hub round out the connections for synths, keyboards, and controllers.

Yes, the Volt 2 Max is set up for recording with someone else, thanks to two headphone outputs and a built-in talkback microphone. Both headphone outputs (one ¼" and one ⅛") share a cue mix, so you and the performer hear the same thing, and talkback lets you speak to them between takes. Two mic inputs with independent 48V phantom power mean you can also track two players at once.

Yes, the Volt 2 Max is USB class-compliant and works with iPad and iPhone running iPadOS or iOS 16 or newer. Devices with USB-C connect directly, and devices with a Lightning port need an Apple Lightning to USB Camera Adapter. Bus-power requirements vary by device, so some phone and tablet setups work best with the Volt's USB external power input connected.

Yes, the Volt 2 Max works with macOS 12 Monterey or newer and Windows 10 64-bit or newer on Intel, AMD, and Apple silicon, and it's compatible with all major DAWs. It's class-compliant on Mac with no driver needed, and on Windows it uses the UA ASIO driver from the UA Connect app. It's also fully integrated with the UAD Console app and LUNA, including session recall and low-latency cue mixes.

Yes, the Volt 2 Max is USB bus-powered, so it can run on power from your computer without an outlet. It draws 4.1W in typical use, and when a host device can't supply enough power, the USB external power input (5VDC at 1A minimum) keeps it running. That makes the Volt 2 Max the most portable way to bring Max Processing with you.

No, the Volt 2 Max uses UAD Native plug-ins, which run on your computer's processor instead of dedicated DSP hardware. Its Max Processing and Tone Shaping happen on the interface itself, so you get classic compression and preamp tone while tracking without taxing your computer. If you later want to track through the full UAD plug-in library with Unison™ preamp modeling, UA's Apollo interfaces add onboard DSP for that workflow.

The Volt 2 Max includes the UAD Volt Studio Bundle, which pairs the LUNA DAW with UAD plug-ins and instruments used on countless hit records. You get plug-in versions of the Teletronix LA-2A and UA 1176 compressors that inspired Max Processing, plus the UA 610 Tube Preamp & EQ Collection, Pure Plate Reverb, Galaxy Tape Echo, the PolyMAX and Anthem synths, and the UAD Lion '68 and Showtime '64 guitar amps. Additional instruments and production tools from partner developers are included too, and bundle contents are subject to change.

Recording through the Volt 2 Max's Max Processing commits compression at the source, the same way engineers have tracked vocals and bass through 1176 and LA-2A hardware for decades. Compressing on the way in gives you a controlled, confident sound while you perform, and it saves time at the mix. Many producers do both: a musical preset while tracking, then light plug-in compression later to finish the sound.

Yes, the Volt 2 Max is an excellent podcast interface because it gives two hosts polished, broadcast-ready voices with no plug-ins required. Tone Shaping Preamps add warmth or clarity to each voice, Max Processing evens out levels the way a broadcast compressor does, and two headphone outputs let both hosts monitor. Built-in loopback brings in remote guests, music, and sound effects, and the talkback mic helps you run the session.

Yes, the Volt 2 Max works well for livestreaming because it shapes and compresses your voice before it ever reaches your streaming software. Built-in loopback blends your mic with game audio, music, or chat in realtime, and Clip Protection keeps sudden shouts from distorting. Its compact desktop footprint and full-color Smart Display fit neatly into a streaming setup.

Check our Knowledge Base for additional questions

Volt 2 Max USB Audio Interface

Volt 2 Max USB Audio Interface

A record-making machine, right on your desk.

Downloads

Details

Included Volt Software (Subject to Change)

10-In / 4-Out

Tone-Shaping Preamps

Max Processing

Full 32-Bit Audio

Premium UAD Software

Smart Display

Built-In Talkback Mic

Easy to Use

Studio Sound at the Push of a Button

Add Punch with Max Processing

Hear Every Detail with 32-Bit Converters

Start Small, Expand When You’re Ready

See the Big Picture with Smart Display

Get the Perfect Levels with Auto-Gain

Turn Anywhere You Go into a Studio

Start Making Music in Minutes

Shape Your Songs with UAD Plug-Ins and LUNA

Ideal for Podcasts and Livestreams

Specifications

I/O

A/D – D/A Conversion

Power

Analog I/O

Instrument Inputs 1-2

Microphone Inputs 1-2

Line Inputs 1-2

Monitor Outputs

Headphone Outputs

System Requirements

macOS & Windows

iPad & iPhone

DAW Compatibility

Included UA Software

Compare Models

UA Studio Sessions

Related Articles

Frequently Asked Questions