Universal Audio VOLT 4 G2 USB Audiointerface

Universal Audio Volt 4 Gen 2 — Studio Sound and Smart Control in a Bus-Powered USB Interface

The Universal Audio Volt 4 Gen 2 is a desktop USB audio interface designed for project studios that need more inputs than a two-channel box can offer without giving up portability. It combines two Tone Shaping Preamps, full 32-bit / 192 kHz conversion, and a full-colour Smart Display in a bus-powered chassis that runs on Mac, Windows, iPad, and iPhone. The Volt 4 Gen 2 is the right choice for producers, songwriters, and small bands who want UA-grade preamp character with room to grow into ADAT expansion, MIDI hardware, and outboard gear.

What Sets the Volt 4 Gen 2 Apart

Where most compact interfaces stop at two mic preamps and a headphone jack, the Volt 4 Gen 2 layers analog character on top of a real studio signal path. The two Tone Shaping Preamps offer three switchable modes — Warmth (tube), Focus (solid-state), and Shine (British Class-A) — so the tone you hear while tracking is the tone that lands on the track. Pair that with Auto-Gain, Clip Protection, and a Smart Display that shows every input at a glance, and the box behaves like a miniature console rather than a basic adapter.

Conversion and Audio Performance — Capture Every Detail

High headroom conversion is what separates a finished record from a demo, and the Volt 4 Gen 2 is built around 32-bit / 192 kHz A/D–D/A converters that preserve the full dynamic range of the source. The mic preamps deliver a low-noise front end, the monitor outputs stay clean, and the headphone amp has enough power to drive common studio headphones cleanly.

• Bit Depth / Sample Rates: 32-bit / 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz
• Microphone Input Dynamic Range: 119 dB (A-weighted) with THD+N: -110 dB (0.0003%) — a clean front end for detailed acoustic sources
• Monitor / Line Output Dynamic Range: 126 dB (A-weighted) at THD+N: -112 dB (0.0003%) — clean playback path to studio monitors
• Headphone Output Power: 45 mW into 32 Ω, 24 mW into 300 Ω — drives common studio headphones without strain

I/O and Connectivity — A Hub That Grows With You

The Volt 4 Gen 2 is built as a small studio hub, not just an input device. Two mic/line combo inputs are joined by two front-panel Hi-Z instrument inputs for guitar and bass, while two additional line inputs accept outboard gear. MIDI In and Out connect controllers and synths, and the onboard USB hub port can power a MIDI controller at 5 VDC / 0.5 A, freeing up a port on the host computer.

• Simultaneous I/O: 12-in / 6-out — four analog inputs plus up to eight digital channels over ADAT
• Microphone Preamps: two Tone Shaping Preamps, 60 dB digitally-controlled gain with switchable +48 V phantom power per channel
• Digital Expansion: ADAT or S/PDIF optical input — 8 channels at 44.1/48 kHz, 4 at 96 kHz (S/MUX), 2 at 192 kHz
• MIDI: In / Out on 1/8" TRS Type A jacks plus a USB hub port for peripherals

Workflow and Software — Smart Controls Plus a Full Studio Bundle

Setup speed matters when inspiration hits, and the Volt 4 Gen 2 is designed to get a session running in minutes. Auto-Gain sets levels in seconds, Clip Protection catches unexpected peaks, and the full-colour Smart Display shows inputs, levels, and settings without diving into a menu. Built-in loopback blends live inputs with computer audio for streaming, podcasts, and video calls, while class-compliant USB connectivity means no driver install is needed on Mac.

• Smart Display: full-colour screen — at-a-glance feedback for inputs, levels, and preamp modes
• Auto-Gain & Clip Protection: automatic level setting and peak safety — protects takes from accidental distortion
• Power: USB bus-powered, 4.2 W typical / 5.8 W maximum with rear-panel on/off switch and external 5 VDC input for hungrier mobile setups
• Included Software: LUNA DAW, UAD Volt Studio Bundle (UA 610, Century Tube Channel Strip, Teletronix LA-2A, UA 1176, Pure Plate Reverb, Galaxy Tape Echo, Oxide Tape Recorder, Vibe Analog Machines, PolyMAX Synth, Anthem Analog Synth, UAD Lion '68 Super Lead Amp, UAD Showtime '64 Tube Amp, Topline Vocal Tune) plus Melodyne Essential, Ampeg SVT-VR, Virtual Drummer DEEP, Virtual Bassist DANDY, Splice INSTRUMENT, Prisma, and a 3-month FL Studio Producer Edition trial
• System Requirements: macOS 12 Monterey or newer, Windows 10 64-bit or newer, iPadOS / iOS 16 or newer — works with Ableton Live, FL Studio, GarageBand, Logic Pro, Pro Tools, and other major DAWs