Universal Audio Volt 476P Review (so many pros, so many cons!)

[@whosonedphone]

I was looking at videos of microphone reviews and noticed that people with a simplified setup using an SSL interface had a more natural, smooth, and relaxed sound than the people with complicated (expensive) recording setups. KISS Keep It Simple Stupid! I'm glad to finally get a taste of a Universal Audio interface. Many people I know rave about the company. I am very impressed by the tube DSP. However if you forget to turn it on I don't think anyone would notice. Including myself. The lack of control on the compressor is unacceptable. Although it does sound very good. I also find it kind of backwards. The reason I would want a compressor built into a preamp is so I could hit the DAC a bit harder. I would highly recommend using a linear power supply in conjunction with or instead of bus power. As long as the voltages are the same. The concept of this interface goes against what I believe in when it comes to audio. I want to put the most money I can into the least amount of components possible. But I have to have an open mind twords it. I look forward to watching The showdown between the SSL and the Universal Audio.

[@goforthpatrick]

" I look forward to watching the showdown between the SSL and the Universal Audio." Me too.

[@thewatchmanstudios6257]

Hmmm ..As someone who owns an SSL12, it doesn't offer 32 bit float either, just 32 bit fixed.. but I certainly agree it would be nice to see 32 bit float

[@HarvVideoAudioStuff]

The float was a slip of the tongue, 32 bit is still great though

[@jonathonmeyer2398]

I recently purchased one of these, I was looking at the SSL 12 but ultimately went with the 476p because it has more output options. I'm enjoying it but I hate the location of the phantom power button, I hit it on accident all the time

[@NuvCat]

Same

[@Jeppe4421]

Great video! Just use an cloudlifter for dynamic/ ribbon microphones, that way the the phantompower for all channels are no problem🙌

[@HarvVideoAudioStuff]

Many thanks, good idea although a cloudlifter would be an additional (£€$)150 if you don’t already own one. Nearly half the cost again of the 476p! 😅

[@LarsNelissen]

Great review! I bought the SSL12, but 32bit float recording seems not to work with me. In both Logic Pro and Reaper with 32bit float set, the audio clips and the waves are cut, no way to restore the audio. Why that is I'm still figuring out...

[@bigdoggetom6549]

"How do these statements go unchallenged" I ask myself this question every single time a company calls themselves "the leading manufacturer in X" when I've literally never heard of them 🤷‍♀

[@josuevargas91]

Such a great quality video and very informative!! And honestly as soon as you started playing guitar and i realized it wasn’t some lame dad rock stuff you always see in review videos i subscribed immediately haha😭 Keep up the amazing work and thank you for putting in the time that you do!

[@amirhosseinmousavi115]

Bro does it support immersive audio??

[@headphones741]

how does this compare to the presonus Quantum ES 4 and Quantum HD 2. would be a great video.

[@Neggfly]

Had a scarlet interface, updated to the 476 volt. I really liked & enjoy the scarlet interface. I haven’t set up the 476 yet. Would you advise to stick up with the scarlet?

[@StratsRUs]

That phantom power across all is a no-no. Off to MOTU again.....😊

[@Inflame22]

bro... just... thank you...

[@aaaaaa-aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

Will the compressor function be useful for vocal recordings with screaming? Im a noob, just considering which audio interface to get for my dynamic mic - without compressor (volt 1); or the much more expensive with built in compressor (volt 176). I guess I wanna know if this is just a software compression that will be the same as compression done in the recording program with exact same success (I downloaded FL studio but still havent used it). I dont fully understand it. I dont want to pay double for a gimmick.

[@HarvVideoAudioStuff]

Yes in theory, as it’s a live effect it should be good for this purpose 👍🏻

[@Jacob_._Roberts]

Is there is hardware unit that you can plug into the computer in which you can set the top and bottom volume, and it will decrease the top volume if it gets to loud, and increase the bottom volume if it gets too low? ~~~ I enjoy your guitar playing, Harv 🎸.

[@justsomeguy1074]

Yes! You need a compressor/limiter. There are many plugins that come with daws that do that also or you can get an 1176 if you want outboard gear.

[@markvanstee2912]

Yep

[@thestudiopro7426]

Great presentation, 😁

[@HarvVideoAudioStuff]

Thank you! 😃

[@angelfmusic]

Do you get noise when activating compressors?

[@HarvVideoAudioStuff]

Yes a little, it’s not too bad though 👍🏻

[@mathiashalle2832]

I bought this interface aswell. With it came a marshall amp bundle, but it tells me i need a UA device? does this mean i need to buy something more?

[@taekxm]

i had no problem with my UAD 476 having no DSP compatibility for a long time, but now I've started using Pro Tools and apparently there's no UADx option like I had on Logic Pro. All the UAD plugins that ran fine on Logic can't run on Pro Tools apparently, and it's been upsetting for me to think I have to either purchase UAD spark subscrioptin, buy plugin alternatives, or just upgrade to Apollo which is super expensive.

[@iulianmunteanu8672]

How to use outboard efx,or inserts?

[@HarvVideoAudioStuff]

Hmm not that easy at this price point, really you’d need separate preamps 😕

[@angheltheodor1579]

Hi! I've been watching your videos a lot but cannot get it around...i want to start producing electronic music and it is so hard to make a choice between this ua 476p or the ssl 12....in the future i will want to connect synths, drum machines, etc to it...which would be a more fitted choice?

[@VanityMoments-dn2kt]

I’ll have it

[@amirhosseinmousavi115]

Is this support immersive audio???

[@lydakis]

Anyone knows which song is he playing in the guitar section? Sounds so familiar!

[@HarvVideoAudioStuff]

It’s actually the solo section from a track I wrote years ago, roughly 3 mins in 😅 on.soundcloud.com/EZ5K1xusEj8VsNNy7

[@fan_juggler]

Maybe for great sound engineers those compressors are dumb, but for a simple musician I am it's a huge plus that I can just hit the compressor button and make voice sounding way better, not something I could easily reproduce with plugins.

[@Kevin-the-Just]

Hi, I came across your vid as I'm currently looking for a four input audio interface so the UA Volt 476P is on my list. The one thing I would have liked to learn concerns the bundled software; a) is the package usable (is it any good) and b) is it just a free trial period then a sub, or is it free for life?

[@supa-hero7184]

2 headphone outputs are king

[@FUTURELEGACYKID]

guys, is it compatible with the latest M4 apple processors? anybody?

[@lgkmusic2445]

Sirius Black? Thats Severus Snape mate....

[@ioalessandro]

Sirius Black. I hope that's intentional ⚡

Sirius Black 😂

[@UNLISTEDWEB]

SSL is #1 🎉 because 2 headphone outs. Dont care about compressors or 4k

[@kurt8263]

Anybody use this with a new iPad? How’s it work for you?

[@MobiusMinded]

Only clowns or scientists record at 32bit

[@Steve-br7wt]

Another con, none of the Volt line, as far as I know, have loopback audio.

[@AndreSjoberg]

I'm guessing by "class leading" they mean in the 24bit recording class (so not including 32bit interfaces, and "technically" true) ;) These statements are just *weird*, and the worst part is that they have probably spent thousands on lawyers to read through things and have some disclaimer somewhere defining what "class" they are talking about ;)

[@relative_vie]

wish I could tell a difference

[@MobiusMinded]

Stick with Video

[@harrisondvargo72]

buy a MOTU M4, thank me later. companies like UA will never get my money. they're husks of their former selves. mass produced mid tier gear with a fancy name and design.

[@HarvVideoAudioStuff]

I do like motu, fab value 👍🏻

[@AldinPereira]

The Motu m6 released recently has the 4 mic pres maybe that can be next down the list? It's the most affordable one among the SSL and UA.

[@MobiusMinded]

MOTU? You’re either joking or doing audio for video-ish

[@modrisapse6093]

Compressor should not increase volume. It should be compressed to the initial gain. Otherwise seems like a cheap trick and problems with less available volume to work with. SAD and misleading

[@HarvVideoAudioStuff]

I kinda agree! Louder is not necessarily better

[@rjkhanijaon6717]

This unit is not bus powered!