Universal Audio VOLT 276 - Review and Real-World Tests
Рет қаралды 8,301
Күн бұрынIt's fair to say you would expect a lot from Universal Audio. I tested everything to see if they delivered on features, quality, and performance.
My review of the Universal Audio VOLT 276 includes:
- Features and Controls
- Preamp tests with multiple microphones
- Vintage 610 Preamp and 76 Compressor emulations
- Self-noise measurements (synthetic and real-world)
- Headphone Amplifier real-world tests for power and coloration vs impedance
- Instrument Inputs with Guitar and Bass
- Build Quality
- Included Software and Plugins
AND
- I found a feature that required me to make an entire second video!
This is a thorough review to help you decide if the VOLT 276 is the right interface for your studio.
Thanks for watching!
For more information or to purchase the VOLT 276:
VOLT 276 website: links.askdrtk.com/volt276
Amazon: amzn.to/3QAEwY3
Other Gear used in this review:
Shure SM7B: amzn.to/3QiRpG6
Rode PodMic: amzn.to/3wPkOkU
Audio-Technica AT2040: amzn.to/3NBIChV
Rode NT1A: amzn.to/3A45lih
Other Videos you may like:
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Behringer SX3040 - Sonic Exciter Review: • Behringer SX3040 - Sta...
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Do This First:
To get the most out of your recording or streaming space, I recommend sound treatment including acoustic absorption panels. This is the single biggest way to improve your audio before investing in other gear. You can make your own, or I highly recommend GIK Acoustics as they manufacture some of the best quality panels available at an excellent value.
Check out GIK Acoustics here: www.gikacoustics.com/ref/131/
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Book a One-on-One Zoom Appointment with me for assistance and recommendations to help you create or upgrade your home or project studio. I help musicians, producers, and content creators! Visit my website for more information: askdrtk.com/coaching/
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Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:36 Features and Controls
03:07 Vintage 610 Preamp and 76 Compressor
04:30 Driver, Sample Rate, and Buffer Control
04:55 Preamp Test with SM7B, PodMic, AT2040, and NT1A
05:54 Self-Noise Tests
07:13 Headphone Amplifier
09:25 Instrument Input Tests with Guitar and Bass
10:12 Built Quality Assessment
10:52 Bundled Software
11:10 Another Use for the VOLT 276 and 476
11:48 Final Thought and Recommendations
#universalaudio #homestudio #recordingstudio
(Some links are affiliate links that may provide a small commission to askdrtk without cost to you or influence of my content or opinions. Thanks for clicking! askdrtk is a member of amazon associates and other affiliate programs.) Disclaimer: askdrtk.com/disclaimer/
@askdrtk Жыл бұрын
The VOLT series of audio interfaces demonstrates the performance Universal Audio is able to deliver at an affordable price when additional hardware for DSP doesn't drive up cost as in their Apollo series. If real time DSP isn't necessary for your work flow, the VOLT series, and the 276 in particular, is an affordable way to add high quality UA preamps (and analog circuit emulations) to your home studio space. I have to wonder if this is a signal from Universal Audio about the direction of future interfaces as computers become more powerful, especially with the release of SPARK. A VOLT "876" with ADAT and aggregate device drivers could be awesome!
@FVDaudio Жыл бұрын
Thank you for your reviews and for this channel. I was just looking for reviews of some headphones priced well under $99, so that's when I got your videos which give me the appreciation of the frequency response and construction that I'm looking to get. Thanks.
@askdrtk Жыл бұрын
Much appreciated and I'm glad I could help out!
@amanat7861 Жыл бұрын
Excellent Review and very informative Content love the sound examples and measurements Thankyou
@askdrtk Жыл бұрын
Much appreciated, I am glad to help out where I can.
@jaypkock 2 ай бұрын
Sweeet, I just ordered this interface too replace my Focusrite Solo, since I have a pair of DT 770 Pro 250 Ohm - I had too crank the volume pretty high on the Focusrite - I think this will be perfect
@schiavobruno 11 ай бұрын
Hey! thank you a lot for this comprehensive the video! i'm particularly interested in using volt 276 as a bus preamp and compressor, and you mentioned another video about it, is it already available?
@askdrtk 11 ай бұрын
Glad you enjoyed the review! I haven't posted that one yet, but it will be happening (likely October looking at my calendar). Cheers!
@LuisHenrique-vx4fp Жыл бұрын
Amazing review, congrats! For Live stream concerts (voice & acoustic guitar) at Instagram and KZfaq, do you consider Universal Audio VOLT 276 is the best audio interface? Do you think that audio interface sustains the high pitched voice / voice range to sing Opera classical music? I´ll sing Pop Opera and Jazz Music! Thank you,
@askdrtk Жыл бұрын
Much appreciated. The Volt 276 has excellent clean preamps and will do an outstanding job for your streams. It has plenty of dynamic range and frequency response to handle classical, jazz, and pro level vocalists. There are of course other good options including the new Lewitt Connect 6 which has built in DSP (EQ, Compression, etc), but I wouldn't expect the need for highly processed audio for what you are doing. When it comes to sound and quality, Universal Audio just gets it right. I Hope this helps out!
@LuisHenrique-vx4fp Жыл бұрын
@@askdrtk I really appreciate your prompt response. Yes, I´ll purchase the Universal Audio VOLT 276. I watched your video several times, It's one of the best tutorials I've watched on KZfaq. Congrats, again!
@sung_yun Жыл бұрын
Do you think having the compressor on Volt 276 is much better than getting just Volt 2 without the compressor, do you think it justifies the higher price? Thanks for the review.
@askdrtk Жыл бұрын
It depends on your use case. Tracking instruments, vocals, and voiceover with some compression can be helpful as you can end up "closer" to the final sound (less work later). For live streaming, having hardware compression will also take strain off the cpu. The issue of course is that you cannot go back. The compression is baked into the recording, for better or worse, although I will say the Volt's compression is very forgiving imo. To get the same quality as separate components, purchasing a Volt 2 and a separate compressor (especially an 1176 style compressor) will be more expensive vs the Volt 276, but you would generally have more flexibility to dial in the compression you are looking for (again, a good and potentially bad thing...) I hope this helps out and if you let me know a bit more about your use case I can provide better advice.
@smithViceCity 18 күн бұрын
Yo I received my audio volt 176 yesterday, and every time I touch the 76 compressor button there is a huge super loud background noise that automatically creates, whether with headphones or monitoring, and even when I rec, we hear this noise in the lead track, So when I deactivate this button, everything is fine Except that I would really like to take advantage of this integrated compressor, Do you have any advice please because I'm lost!🙏🏽
@viggo606 24 күн бұрын
ım planning to replace my old behringer mic and um2.I came across 2 different recording packages. One is SSL2 which includes SSL2 + SMC-80 mic + SHP-20 headphones.The other one is Volt 276 recording package.(ı don't know the names of headphones and mic).Price is the same.I can't decide please help.
@HowYouMove Жыл бұрын
I’m a new beginner and I have the Sony MDR-7506 Headphones which have Impedance 63 Ohms so I wanted to know if the 276 will work will with my headphones & my Rode Podmic?
@askdrtk Жыл бұрын
The 276 is a great choice. It has very good mic preamps that provide plenty of gain for the PodMic and I found the headphone amplifier to have no issues with the 7506 and other headphones far more difficult to drive. The 276, PodMic, and 7506 makes a nice kit to get started with!
@HowYouMove Жыл бұрын
@@askdrtk Thanks You’re video was great but after hearing about the Behringer U-Phoria UMC204HD USB Audio Interface I had found a like new one off off the Mercari app for $67 plus the headphone input is much clearer then the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 so now i can sell it
@askdrtk Жыл бұрын
Great deal on the 204! You're all set!
@savulaurentiu 3 ай бұрын
Can someone help me with some advice why when I activate the compressor on the channel where I draw the voice there is a hiss
@smithViceCity 18 күн бұрын
Yeah same bro !!! Do you find how to fix it pls ???
@PJSOFT Жыл бұрын
I don't like the preamp Off lamp because I have to check that it's on Fast or Off. It should just turn the lamp off, easier to see, one less thing to fail.
@askdrtk Жыл бұрын
I agree...and would actually have preferred a dial with good labels on the four selections, or even four buttons (more like old school gear). I can see how a separate LED for each mode (except off) around a dial or above each button would help you quickly see if compression is activated, but again not really required imo as setting up gear shouldn't be done in a rush...
@bobateaboy04 6 ай бұрын
Your compressor doesnt have that weird static sound that mine and a lot of other reviews have
@smithViceCity 18 күн бұрын
Ye there is to much sound weird so i cant use the mode button compressor is frustate because of the price you cant use it
@kerosenefilms Жыл бұрын
Do you find the compression and 1176 noisy?
@askdrtk Жыл бұрын
I wouldn't say I find it noisy, but compression always reduces the separation between desired signal and noise floor. The compression on the Volt doesn't introduce any more noise vs the 1176 compression on my 6176 at reasonable amounts of compression. Of course having variable threshold helps on the 1176, but overall the Volt is very usable.
@kerosenefilms Жыл бұрын
@@askdrtk Thanks for the reply. I just ordered one. Will see how it stacks up against my Apogee Duet.
@askdrtk Жыл бұрын
That will be an interesting comparison. I haven't used a Duet, but I liked Apogee's DSP compression on a Symphony Desktop. I'll be interested to hear your take on it.
@kerosenefilms Жыл бұрын
@@askdrtk I'll let you know after it arrives.
@smithViceCity 18 күн бұрын
@@askdrtkYo I received my audio volt 176 yesterday, and every time I touch the 76 compressor button there is a huge super loud background noise that automatically creates, whether with headphones or monitoring, and even when I rec, we hear this noise in the lead track, So when I deactivate this button, everything is fine Except that I would really like to take advantage of this integrated compressor, Do you have any advice please because I'm lost!🙏🏽
@bunnysingh4832 Жыл бұрын
How is it compared to Audient id4 or 14?
@askdrtk Жыл бұрын
All three have very good preamps with plenty of clean gain and very low noise floor. Build quality again is excellent on all of these interfaces. The compressor on the Volt works very well for many recording applications. Using a plugin during mixing is an option, but I do like the ability to record and monitor in real time with compression. If this is not an issue for you, the id4 is an excellent choice. More me, the only reason you would step up to the 14 is if you need the additional channels for recording, for example you have an eight channel external preamp and you record live drums. Beyond that, since the 14 provides additional input channels but not output, effect loops are not in the equation, so again, the 14 only if you need more than two live microphones for recording. At the moment, Universal Audio is also including some of their plugins with the Volt (LA-2A, and Plate Reverb) which work very well and can be expensive to purchase separately. I hope this helps out!
@bunnysingh4832 Жыл бұрын
@@askdrtk ok so iD4 or Volt if you have to chose one?
@askdrtk Жыл бұрын
If compression and (old school) midi connections are not something you are interested in, of the two I would go with the iD4...the value given quality and performance is outstanding.
@TEST-gh4zs Жыл бұрын
HOW ABOUT SSL HEAD TO HEAD VOICE OVER ?
@askdrtk Жыл бұрын
Absolutely, I will be posting audio interface and preamp comparisons as well as a number of voice over setups soon.
@TEST-gh4zs Жыл бұрын
@@askdrtk May I ask ? I want to buy a uad volt1, what I want to ask is whether volt1 and volt 276 use the same preamp? I like the sound, but don't really need a compressor
@askdrtk Жыл бұрын
Great question and yes, the preamps ( and converters) are identical across all Volt interfaces. If you need 1 preamp without compression, the Volt 1 is a great option.
@TEST-gh4zs Жыл бұрын
@@askdrtk Thanks , My volt1 on the way 😁
@amaurythewarrior Жыл бұрын
I'm not interested in buying the VOLT because I have a RME fireface UC which I have no doubt has better converters, preamps, more complete in-outs, and the great totalmix software, but was obviously a lot more expensive, even 10 years ago. that being said, this interface really seems to have a lot of qualities, even outside of the emulations i'm not entirely convinced about. but there also seems to be a lot of competition in the market now. i remember when i got my line6 toneport ux2 back in 2006, that was a different story...
@askdrtk Жыл бұрын
I agree. Competition is a great thing and it has really forced manufacturers to step up audio interface performance is all price categories. One can choose to pay for IO, DSP, etc if it is needed, but even entry level gear like the Volt can produce very good results.
@user-bu8iv8ld5i 6 ай бұрын
acquiring the included plugins, big pain in the ass.. register for every stinking plugin....just too onerous and intrusive. disappointing
@maykolllopez1585 6 ай бұрын
Wahh it’s sooo hard clicking a bunch of things on my computer while I sit down 🤓 shut up you damn nerd, the only plug in you need off of the damn thing is UJam anyway
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