Universal Audio launches six new Volt USB audio interfaces

Universal Audio, headquartered in Scotts Valley, has introduced two new lines of USB audio interfaces: Volt Gen 2 and Volt Max. The six models went on sale through retailers worldwide on October 1, 2026, with MAP pricing in the United States starting at $149.

All six units are bus-powered and offer 32-bit conversion at up to 192 kHz. Each includes what the company calls Tone Shaping Preamps, with three selectable input characters: a tube mode, a solid state mode and a British Class-A mode. Every model except the Volt 1 Gen 2 adds a colour display for monitoring inputs, gain and tone settings, along with automatic gain setting with clip protection and automatic detection of mic, line and instrument sources.

The three Volt Max models, Volt 2 Max, Volt 4 Max and Volt 4P Max, add onboard realtime dynamics processing with six one-touch presets based on the company's 1176, LA-2A and VCA compressor emulations. These can be layered with the preamp character modes. ADAT optical input for up to eight additional digital channels is included on the Volt 4 Gen 2 and all Max models, and MIDI, a talkback mic and speaker switching appear on selected units.

The interfaces ship with a software bundle of 15 UAD plug-ins, the company's LUNA digital audio workstation, Celemony Melodyne Essential and a three-month trial of FL Studio Producer Edition. LUNA 3.0 introduces a simplified mode aimed at songwriting and basic recording. The hardware is class-compliant and works with Mac, Windows, iPad and iPhone, and with major DAWs including Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Ableton Live, GarageBand and FL Studio.

Universal Audio is one of the larger hardware product companies based in Santa Cruz County, designing and selling recording interfaces, plug-ins and effects pedals from its Scotts Valley base. Product launches at that scale are a useful marker for local hard tech founders working on audio, embedded systems and consumer hardware.