Universal Audio Volt 2 Max – Onboard Compression, Talkback, Dual Headphones

Volt 2 Max is the first Volt Max: two Tone Shaping Preamps plus Max Processing, six push-button compressor presets based on the 1176 and LA-2A, applied as you track. It adds talkback, two headphone outputs, ADAT, MIDI and a USB hub in a desktop chassis. At Soundium it is the two-preamp Volt for people who want finished-sounding takes.

Key Features

• Tone Shaping Preamp: Three switchable characters per channel: Warmth (tube, 610-inspired), Focus (American solid state) and Shine (British Class-A)
• Max Processing: Six onboard compressor presets based on the 1176, LA-2A and VCA designs, tuned for vocals, guitar and bass
• 18 Character Combinations: Pair any Tone mode with any Max preset, all noise-free
• Built-In Talkback Mic: Talk to the performer without an extra microphone
• Two Headphone Outputs: Shared cue mix for you and the artist
• ADAT, MIDI and USB Hub: Room to add 8 inputs, synths and a USB controller

Customer Benefits

Compression on the way in is how big studios make vocals and guitars sit before mixing; Volt 2 Max does that with one button and shows gain reduction on the Smart Display. Two headphone outs and talkback make it workable for recording another person, not just yourself.

Quick Specs

• Simultaneous I/O: 10-in / 4-out
• Mic preamps: 2, 60 dB gain, Tone Shaping + Max compression
• Inputs: 2x XLR/TRS combo (mic/line), 2x 6.3 mm Hi-Z inst (front), ADAT/S/PDIF optical, MIDI in, talkback mic
• Outputs: 2x 6.3 mm TRS monitor, 2x headphone (6.3 mm + 3.5 mm), MIDI out
• Conversion: 32-bit / 44.1 to 192 kHz
• Dynamic range: 119 dB (mic in), 126 dB (monitor out)
• Connection: USB-C (USB 2.0), USB-C hub port (5 V / 0.5 A), USB-C power input
• Power: USB bus-powered, 4.1 W typical; rear power switch

In the Box

• Universal Audio Volt 2 Max
• USB-C to USB-C cable
• UAD Volt Studio Bundle: LUNA, Topline Vocal Tune, UA 610 Tube Preamp & EQ Collection, Teletronix LA-2A, UA 1176, Pure Plate Reverb, PolyMAX and Anthem synths, UAD Lion '68 and Showtime '64 amps, plus Melodyne Essential, Ampeg SVT-VR Classic Bass Bundle, UJAM Virtual Drummer DEEP and Virtual Bassist DANDY, Splice INSTRUMENT, UVI Prisma Producer Lab and 3 months of FL Studio Producer Edition

Ideal For

• Vocalists who want compressed, polished takes
• Recording another performer with talkback
• Podcasters needing two headphone feeds

Compatibility

Class-compliant on macOS 12 or newer, iPadOS / iOS 16 or newer (USB-C, or Lightning via Camera Adapter) and Windows 10 64-bit or newer with the UA ASIO driver. Works with Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Pro Tools, FL Studio and every other major DAW.

Pros & Cons

✅ Pros:

• Max Processing gives radio-ready vocals while tracking
• Talkback and two headphone outputs
• ADAT, MIDI and hub included

⚠️ Cons:

• Compression is printed to the recording, so commit carefully
• Single monitor pair, no speaker switching (see Volt 4 Max)

Volt 2 Max is for two-input sessions where the take should already sound like a record. Find it at Soundium with the four-channel Volt 4 Max and Volt 4P Max.