Interesting side note: You can use the Volt 276 as a standalone unit. With the provided 5V DC to USB cable you can power the interface from a USB power source without the need to connect it to PC. The direct monitoring works just fine and you can also apply the vintage and compression effect.
“We all know why you’re here!” No, you don’t. I am here because you inspire me. Because you are not just some vlogger that reads out loud some text found in the user manual. Because… I stop here. The other regulars know why we’re here. Cheers Herr Krause!
Absolutely the BEST tech review in the Tube. So many facts and figures that let you understand what's in the box and precious suggestions about how to spend money (is worth or not?) on these lovely equipments. Tanx so much Julian, you are a Pro!
audio interfaces used to be such a niche and unnecessary hard topic to understand.... until i discovered Julian. then all the numbers and specs that companies don't bother to explain in a friendly manner, opting for more complex terms and a purely aesthetic video presentations, started to make sense. i can def say that in my +15 years buying and using interfaces now i can absolutely chose my next product with ease! thanks for that Julian !
I've been looking for a channel with this type of content for years. I found a lot of sponsored videos and other videos with that 'I can hear the difference in THD' bullshit. Finally, I've found this channel with trustworthy measurements. Thanks a lot!
The trouble with these reviews is that they’re so detailed and helpful that it becomes impossible to purchase an interface without knowing what Julian thinks about it first! ;) I’m torn between the Arturia Audiofuse Rev 2 and the Focusrite Clarett+...I live in a constant state of paralysis until he tells me what to buy!
Easy! Go for Clarett. It's dynamic range is best.Audiofuse however has a built-in hub which is useful to connect your USB devices, say a Pen drive or USB MIDI devices, makes it convenient for live scenario.I'd personally go for clarett
Julian, I have come to your channel for audio interface reviews for several years now. One of the things I focus on are those pesky noise floors. You nail it by going in to the weeds on details. Based on you reviews, a while ago I bought the SSL 2. It has certainly met my needs. So, it was time for me to say "thanks" by becoming a patron. Keep up the great work, because I'm sure I'll want to move on to a new interface at some point. It's the nature of working with audio.
Man, your videos are helping a LOT, there are just so many reviews out there, but didn't find any that gave that much OBJETIVE DATA. So grateful to be able to watch you, keep the good work, you are top notch :))
Julian, thank you for the review. I've just bought the UA Volt 267 from a local shop and I was surprised to see that I know more about the interfaces he sold than he did because I watched your reviews :-) You're doing an awesome job, keep going! There are two things I'd like to add to the hardware overview part: 1. The top part is not flat and the area with the levels is slightly angled so you can easily see the levels even if you're not looking at the interface from the top. 2. If the interface is slightly in front, the gain knobs cover completely the "vintage" button, so you can't see if the "vintage" mode was activated or not Otherwise, this interface ticks all the boxes for me: very good headphone amp, great design (it's going to be on my desk all day long so I'd rather have something pretty) and microphone amps way better than what I'd normally need (video calls, maybe a podcast). I only wish the inputs were in the back instead of the MIDI connectors, but...
I watched a few of your videos about sound cards and it made my decision easier. Unfortunately, most of the videos either excessively praise or criticize the product, but you can be said to work completely objectively and with realistic arguments. Thanks and keep up the good work.
I loved your explanation on how the compression worked, so easy to follow! I would love if you could do something similar to the Roland Rubix line with its compressor and limiter, as Its interesting how it can be adjusted but there is nothing about exactly what it does :c. Great Video by the way, you are my one trusted source of audio information!
Is it just me or was it a nail biter to see the charts which compare the pre amp noise and dynamic range and see the ID4 mk 2 win in both categories :D
Thanks Julian for doing this! Not gonna lie, the "compressor" seems more gimmicky than useful, looking forward to your comparison of the 3 interfaces! Sometimes I do wonder if a mixer is better at this point since the lines seem to be blurring especially with products like the RME Fireface UCX II
It’s a gimmick, thats true, most users already own extra plugins but how many of them know exactly how to use it ? I simply assume it’s an interface made for beginners or advanced amateurs, and it does the job pretty well ! My music level is high enough to qualify for an Apollo Twin or higher (without being presumptuous ofc!!) but to make music for me, family or friends, this interface has nothing to envy to its competitors of the same value. That’s why I ordered one after many years using an Apogee Jam+ (nice tiny gimmick-ish interface btw!) 🙂 Now if they communicate that a guitar/vocal duo can use a 276 stand alone on stage, they'll sell full containers !
@@baptistec.4546 Also I see useful the compressor for better audio for streamers/video calls for example, people who doesn't know about audio, it should be an upgrade for them.
Great review as always! Could you review the new Focusrite Clarett+ line? Apparently they've upgraded the headphone output and I'd love to see your tests run on their new hardware!
i realize this video is two years old now , but i'm just now delving into the world of home recording and wonder, couldn't i save $100 and just use a software compressor in my DAW and get the same/similar results as well as keeping control over the other aspects such as ratio, attack and release? i have definitely decided on purchasing the Volt 2 or Volt 276 just wondering how crucial the compressor is or isn't or if it is indeed just a convenience
absolutely fantastic job as always! Thank you for putting these video together. an an engineer who plays with music production at home I really like getting the specs like this with a deeper understanding of how things work! and this is great, well done. I bought one of these that I use mainly for my acoustic guitar that I mic. sometimes I will also use the line in. I like the comp and coloration there for that purpose. It makes the act of recording while monitoring in real time a little bit better for me. I know there are more capable comps in my DAW but I like this for the playability and ease of recording. Its a little more musical to work with that way. Thanks again, fantastic job! I took screen shots of all the graphs and will reference them from time to time!
You are by far the best audio interface reviewer in the world for my money. To be fair though 6:39 distorted guitar is already compressed so demo'ing a compressor using this instrument choice isn't an accurate barometer of its capabilities. Clean guitar played with varying dynamics would have been preferable.
Hello Jullian, I like your work. Especially collecting the data regarding dynamic range + noise flor for preamps. I wonder though why there is no yet one of the famous ZOOMs tools (h6/h8/p4/p8) - which can serve as audio interface. How are they comparable to the others regarding dynamic ranges and preamps. Are they so weak you are not taking them into account or just they are not falling into that standard Audio Interface category? Thanks in advance for answering :) My congratulations on such a detailed work on audio and sharing it online!
Really nice post. For many potential users, it might also be important to know that you have to store your personal data with UA for commissioning on the computer. The Volt 276 can only be commissioned online (analogue use is of course possible). Simply downloading and installing Asio drivers is not possible without UA Connect and offline. An important decision-making aid for many users.
I bought Volt 276.. my experience with this audio interface is very good. There's no latency when playing vst plug-ins through ipad pro connected to a midi keyboard. Audio quality is excellent 👌 .I had a focusrite 2i2 2nd generation. I cannot compare. Because the difference is too big. UA has launched a very good product.
This was really informative. I was looking at this as a secondary mobile interface to my Apollo. I think I may just go with the 176/276. The plug-in bundle is not impressive but I can just use my UAD plugs in post. But the info on dynamic range being dropped while the 76 comp is engaged was key. Thanks!
Great video overall. You stuff so much information into it, that I need to focus on your videos really hard, to not miss any details. I love it! One little thing challenged me this time: I noticed, you said, it has a dynamic range of 118.8db(A). With that kind of dynamic range, it should be sitting within the top 3 of the chart, challenging the Clarret 2PRE and Ultralite Mk5. But on the chart the VOLT 2 and 276 sit at the same spot, well below 115. Is the chart faulty, or is it more like 111.8dB(A) of dynamic range?
Hi Julian, I bought a VOLT 476 last week and I loved how clean the audio output was until I noticed the left channel had a hum and the left-right balance was off until the monitor level was higher than 10%. The headphone output had none of these problems. Fortunately, Long and McQuade exchanged the unit right away for a new one. What is unfortunate is that the new one has the same balance problem as the original but this time, the headphone output is the faulty one. I am now on the fence about what to do. I really like to monitor at low levels, which I could do with my lowly Focusrite Audiobox iTwo without any noise and perfect balance. Do you recommend another interface or should I bite the bullet and just use the Focusrite for monitoring. thanks!
In terms of Volt 2/4 vs 276/476, another difference is slightly enhanced hardware metering on the *76 models. (None of them look like they're up to displays on the MOTU M2/4, however.)
I have seen several reviewers say that the single USB-C cable is sufficient to power the device. It does seem to work without the additional 5V connector, but I discovered that using the 5V connector seems to reduce the channel imbalance. I don't have any gear to measure the amount of imbalance, but the left channel is very noticeably louder than the right channel when not using the 5V connector. The left channel is only slightly louder than the right when I use the 5V.
I got it last week, and while I really love it I am going to have to get a fethead to fully drive the audio on my mv7 unless I eat the mic (which for me sounds awful). The compressor only kicks in as you drive up towards the top so that is an extra 7db you need to drive it to make full use of it. The preamp does great but when I have it fully engaged it starts to get some unpleasant character to the sound. That said, this is the closest I've come to being able to just record and done, no processing needed. And that is nice because I usually have to spend hours messing around with the audio to get a good result. I also like the vintage mode a lot. Similar features on other cheap interfaces sound like absolute garbage to me, and presence boost and similar features on microphones make my voice sound stupid. But this vintage mode is really magical stuff. Like having just a touch of Mel Torme in my voice. Subtle though, maybe 2-3% Mel Torme that livens up my voice just enough to make it sound interesting! So I am very happy with it, but I am getting a fethead, and I think this is really necessary if you want to make proper use of the compressor feature. And if you don't, you probably didn't buy this is the first place.
Thanks Julian. I am a newb, so I purchased the Native Instruments Komplete Audio 1 for use at Apple Music playing & for Garage Band lessons as I attempt to learn acoustic guitar. It's working well for both, and as you said it's plastic but very well built. I'm totally satisfied and 'enjoy it's desktop presence next to the Mac Mini. All of your reviews have been fascinating, and your bits of humor are always fun, thanks again...j
Hi Julian - I enjoy your reveiws. Can you please review the new Focusrite Clarret+ interface and maybe compare it to the old Clarret model ?? Is the Clarret+ a significant upgrade in quality??
If you care only about the quality of the AD/DA, for external pre use, which interface of these would you choose..? Thank you for the video, incredibly detailed
Hi Julian. What do you think about the Volt 476 compared to other 4 input interfaces such as Motu M4 or Focusrite Scarlet 18i8? Thanks for your answer!
So strange that they put the vu meters off to the side. You would think they would look pretty good aligned more like a channel strip right above the inputs
And now, the big question! Should I as a new recording singer setting up my first home studio choose this Volt 276 or go with the Audient id 14 mkll?! 😀😅😲😉
I’ve been doing extensive research on this item and been looking for some answers. Someone made a video comparing the Apollo, Focusrite, SSL and another interface, they did a good job and I heard the difference between them. The Apollo sounded really good, making the others having lesser quality of sound. So I got my answer from there. The SSL was not so bad, just not as good. Now my question is, how will the Volt sound compared to the Apollo? I have an Apogee right now that sounds amazing, but won’t be compatible with my newer MacBook Pro Max. I’m not concerned with Apollo DSP, I’m more concerned about the quality of sound. So I want to know what the Volt sounds like next to the Apollo and will it be good as the X4.
@@kerosenefilms Yeah I have the Volt. It sounds really good, but I haven’t really had a chance to really test it out yet. But so far, it sounds about good as my Apogee. I’m trying to figure out what to buy next. Maybe I’ll get the SSL Big Six. But I’m thinking I can get what I want with this Volt.
Thank you, so looks like general performance is average (on your chart) but the 76 did make a noticeable difference. I've been wanting to get an Audient id44 mk2 and a separate 1176 clone, but then saw the 476P which has the 76 built in (without transformers). so it could hit the spot, plus having 76 on multi channels is a win and save me £500 for one mono 1176 clone. that said, I want my next interface to last another 10+ years, and sounds like this is a bit dated, where as id44 mk2 is top of your charts. very tough. but thank you.
Thanks for the video. As usual, great review. Hey Julian. I had a thought. It would be interesting if you could gather up some old studio grade Audio interfaces of 10 to 13 years old. To see how they differ compared to today's standards? 🤔
Dear Julian, I am an avid viewer of your channel as I find your reviews trustworthy. I was searching around but saw you have no videos of RME products. I am planning to buy a babyface pro fs soon and your thoughts on this would mean a lot since it's a big purchase for me. Even if you don't make a video a simple comment on what you think about it would help me a lot. Much Love, Internet Guy Who Loves Your Reviews.
After watching a few of these JK reviews on interfaces. It seems like Motu M2 is the king in the budget range and also is able to challenge expensive ones like clarett audient etc.
Please review the Mackie Big Knob Studio+. It is an 18v unit with a 15v/5v digital board. I would like to know if this makes a significant difference with the noise floor and available headroom.
Lieber Julian, vielen dank für diese tolle reviews. Ganz grosse klasse. Ich bin seit länger eine treue RME nutzer, wäre toll zu sehen wie du die aktuelle generation von Soundkarten findest.
Hello Julian. I am currently recording with a 10y old Scarlet 2i2 1Gen and want to upgrade to something more professional (had a few songs on the radio and my interface is really lacking). I now have the chance to buy a used (1y old) UAD Apollo Solo Interface (with classic collection plugins) from a local recording studio and was wondering if it is worth the higher price point when compared to other (cheaper) interfaces (eg. Audient iD 14, SSL2/2+ or even UADs own VOlt 276). To be clear - i am looking to buy something that will serve me well for another 8-10 years of my musical journey. Thank you very much in advance and all the best!
Thanks for the review! I asked this in the Volt 2 review as well, is loopback supported? So far there is no mention of this on the software manual at all. I think I will go with the MiniFuse 2 from Arturia instead in the meantime due to it being so similar, and the software has documented loopback support (also no need to register to use the software as well I believe). UAD, if you are reading this, user registration for the driver is a dick move!
I have one of these on the way but what other interface would you recommend that checks the following: Above average DAC built in (good enough for my topping A90) Ultra low latency 24 bit-192khz capabikity 2 xlr/1/4” jacks (mic/guitar) L/R TRS speaker out (TRS->XLR to my A90) Love your content!
what about apogee element 24, or uad, or descreet 4? or something with thunderbolt, cause i think thunderbolt devices gain with latency but lose to others thank you so much for your videos!!
Hey my friend Julian! What a great channel you got in here! You mentioned that this ad/da converter is little bit old... What would you say compared to the Audient id14 MK2 's converter? It would have a better converter? And for in line guitar plugged in which one would have the best pre amp? Thanks for all you work! ❤
This is true. I use an hd600 and he 560v4. On the hd600 it isn't as noticable, but as the he560 was planar, the headphone imbalance was very pronounced. My left earcup was louder than my right earcup
Julian, it would be nice to get a review on the latest rme babyface. Is it really a class better than the interface class that you reviewed? Is RME the next level? Thank you Julian. I appreciate your honest and reliable work!
Interesting side note: You can use the Volt 276 as a standalone unit. With the provided 5V DC to USB cable you can power the interface from a USB power source without the need to connect it to PC. The direct monitoring works just fine and you can also apply the vintage and compression effect.
@@lisan_al-ghaib Just using that way now....Testing without registering and downloading the software...just monitoring...
Please review Apollo Twin X
Can you pls review some mic s (100 to 300 dollar range) ?
@@Jghosn13 ... and what have you learned?
@@willgo7898 It runs all my headphones….
“We all know why you’re here!”
No, you don’t. I am here because you inspire me. Because you are not just some vlogger that reads out loud some text found in the user manual. Because… I stop here. The other regulars know why we’re here. Cheers Herr Krause!
Or you could just start making music and try them out yourself, and do something, lol!!!
Big thanks, glad you all enjoy the videos!
The most trusted source!
True German precision here!
Wow, this must have been one of the best audio related tech reviews I’ve ever seen. Big respect and thank you!
Absolutely the BEST tech review in the Tube. So many facts and figures that let you understand what's in the box and precious suggestions about how to spend money (is worth or not?) on these lovely equipments. Tanx so much Julian, you are a Pro!
audio interfaces used to be such a niche and unnecessary hard topic to understand....
until i discovered Julian.
then all the numbers and specs that companies don't bother to explain in a friendly manner, opting for more complex terms and a purely aesthetic video presentations, started to make sense.
i can def say that in my +15 years buying and using interfaces now i can absolutely chose my next product with ease!
thanks for that Julian !
Das ist mal genau ein Test wie ich es gebraucht habe. Unaufgeregt, Messwerte, Direktvergleiche beim Sound etc. Besten Dank !
I've been looking for a channel with this type of content for years. I found a lot of sponsored videos and other videos with that 'I can hear the difference in THD' bullshit. Finally, I've found this channel with trustworthy measurements. Thanks a lot!
The wooden side panels reminds me 1980/90s high end /ES series consumer hifi products.
Thank you for the very informative review.
UA desperate to impress the street and home beat makers lol. Let's slap some wood on ....for a dollar each , hehe
@@levondarratt787
Yeah. Japanese loves to make their products sound good and looks good too, which raised it's value. IMHO.
The trouble with these reviews is that they’re so detailed and helpful that it becomes impossible to purchase an interface without knowing what Julian thinks about it first! ;)
I’m torn between the Arturia Audiofuse Rev 2 and the Focusrite Clarett+...I live in a constant state of paralysis until he tells me what to buy!
Easy! Go for Clarett. It's dynamic range is best.Audiofuse however has a built-in hub which is useful to connect your USB devices, say a Pen drive or USB MIDI devices, makes it convenient for live scenario.I'd personally go for clarett
Julian, I have come to your channel for audio interface reviews for several years now. One of the things I focus on are those pesky noise floors. You nail it by going in to the weeds on details. Based on you reviews, a while ago I bought the SSL 2. It has certainly met my needs. So, it was time for me to say "thanks" by becoming a patron. Keep up the great work, because I'm sure I'll want to move on to a new interface at some point. It's the nature of working with audio.
Man, your videos are helping a LOT, there are just so many reviews out there, but didn't find any that gave that much OBJETIVE DATA. So grateful to be able to watch you, keep the good work, you are top notch :))
Great review as always. I personally like the simplicity of the compressor having three settings. Fewer things to tweak and fiddle with.
Julian, thank you for the review. I've just bought the UA Volt 267 from a local shop and I was surprised to see that I know more about the interfaces he sold than he did because I watched your reviews :-) You're doing an awesome job, keep going!
There are two things I'd like to add to the hardware overview part:
1. The top part is not flat and the area with the levels is slightly angled so you can easily see the levels even if you're not looking at the interface from the top.
2. If the interface is slightly in front, the gain knobs cover completely the "vintage" button, so you can't see if the "vintage" mode was activated or not
Otherwise, this interface ticks all the boxes for me: very good headphone amp, great design (it's going to be on my desk all day long so I'd rather have something pretty) and microphone amps way better than what I'd normally need (video calls, maybe a podcast). I only wish the inputs were in the back instead of the MIDI connectors, but...
Between this and the Ssl2+ and audient mkii who do you think comes out top
Dynamic range output just means how loud it can push my monitors right?
Not enough connectivity for me.
But... another excellent tech overview from Julian. And the freakin' elephant in the room made me chuckle.
Dude! Epic text during the test!
Thank you, Julian, for another excellent review! Free of hype, and filled with facts. Your reviews are the most useful I’ve found!
I watched a few of your videos about sound cards and it made my decision easier. Unfortunately, most of the videos either excessively praise or criticize the product, but you can be said to work completely objectively and with realistic arguments. Thanks and keep up the good work.
Brilliant. Your work is impeccable as always.
I loved your explanation on how the compression worked, so easy to follow! I would love if you could do something similar to the Roland Rubix line with its compressor and limiter, as Its interesting how it can be adjusted but there is nothing about exactly what it does :c. Great Video by the way, you are my one trusted source of audio information!
So clear and to the point, after watching over a dozen reviews on this product yours is the gold standard. Thank you!
@6:13 I've been trying to find these comparisons, so definitely keeping an eye out for the vid
Hey dude, you're much more advanced then what I require, but I still really enjoy your videos.
I got this one, because the compression is great! Going to save me time in post production. Even if they are fixed, it's still very convenient
Is it just me or was it a nail biter to see the charts which compare the pre amp noise and dynamic range and see the ID4 mk 2 win in both categories :D
Fantastic video! It's great to see everything expressed in such an objective and clear way. Thank you and congratulations!
This interface is not avaliable in my country yet, so I've bought the Audient ID4 and I'm not disappointed.
I’m pretty sure it’s not available in any country yet. Every website is only taking pre-orders
is available here in my country NEPAL , where are you from?
@@genuinemember5766 Brazil.
@@marcoscamillo6606 iam little bit confuse which one to choose volt 276 or audient iD14 mkii
@@Eric_In_SF Here in Los Angeles I’ve seen it in a few stores. Only the 276 but not the 176 or 476
this is why this channel is so important
Thanks Julian for doing this! Not gonna lie, the "compressor" seems more gimmicky than useful, looking forward to your comparison of the 3 interfaces! Sometimes I do wonder if a mixer is better at this point since the lines seem to be blurring especially with products like the RME Fireface UCX II
It’s a gimmick, thats true, most users already own extra plugins but how many of them know exactly how to use it ? I simply assume it’s an interface made for beginners or advanced amateurs, and it does the job pretty well !
My music level is high enough to qualify for an Apollo Twin or higher (without being presumptuous ofc!!) but to make music for me, family or friends, this interface has nothing to envy to its competitors of the same value. That’s why I ordered one after many years using an Apogee Jam+ (nice tiny gimmick-ish interface btw!) 🙂
Now if they communicate that a guitar/vocal duo can use a 276 stand alone on stage, they'll sell full containers !
@@baptistec.4546 Also I see useful the compressor for better audio for streamers/video calls for example, people who doesn't know about audio, it should be an upgrade for them.
Great review as always! Could you review the new Focusrite Clarett+ line? Apparently they've upgraded the headphone output and I'd love to see your tests run on their new hardware!
Great video! I'd like to learn more about some of the Instruments you use to take measurements. Perhaps a future lab tour video.
The compressor and limiter features are very useful to get 'consistant audio level during live' streaming.
Thanks for another great review, Julian. Are you planning to do a review of the RME Babyface Pro FS in the near future?
i realize this video is two years old now , but i'm just now delving into the world of home recording and wonder, couldn't i save $100 and just use a software compressor in my DAW and get the same/similar results as well as keeping control over the other aspects such as ratio, attack and release? i have definitely decided on purchasing the Volt 2 or Volt 276 just wondering how crucial the compressor is or isn't or if it is indeed just a convenience
Thumbs up for the great review, as always, AND for the Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy reference!
You got my follow sir. thanks for actually useful information and analytical approach. reminds me of reading Paul White in SOS in my youth.
absolutely fantastic job as always! Thank you for putting these video together. an an engineer who plays with music production at home I really like getting the specs like this with a deeper understanding of how things work! and this is great, well done. I bought one of these that I use mainly for my acoustic guitar that I mic. sometimes I will also use the line in. I like the comp and coloration there for that purpose. It makes the act of recording while monitoring in real time a little bit better for me. I know there are more capable comps in my DAW but I like this for the playability and ease of recording. Its a little more musical to work with that way. Thanks again, fantastic job! I took screen shots of all the graphs and will reference them from time to time!
You are by far the best audio interface reviewer in the world for my money. To be fair though 6:39 distorted guitar is already compressed so demo'ing a compressor using this instrument choice isn't an accurate barometer of its capabilities. Clean guitar played with varying dynamics would have been preferable.
I'd be curious to see how the new Focusrite Clarett PLUS 2Pre performs. It has new ADC/DAC chips, so it is a slightly different design.
Hello Jullian, I like your work. Especially collecting the data regarding dynamic range + noise flor for preamps. I wonder though why there is no yet one of the famous ZOOMs tools (h6/h8/p4/p8) - which can serve as audio interface. How are they comparable to the others regarding dynamic ranges and preamps. Are they so weak you are not taking them into account or just they are not falling into that standard Audio Interface category? Thanks in advance for answering :) My congratulations on such a detailed work on audio and sharing it online!
Really nice post. For many potential users, it might also be important to know that you have to store your personal data with UA for commissioning on the computer. The Volt 276 can only be commissioned online (analogue use is of course possible). Simply downloading and installing Asio drivers is not possible without UA Connect and offline. An important decision-making aid for many users.
If you buy any software you will be forced to do that anyway, and all you get is a free trial so I didn't even bother.
Awesome review as always Julian. Can you please do a Apollo Solo review???
I bought Volt 276.. my experience with this audio interface is very good. There's no latency when playing vst plug-ins through ipad pro connected to a midi keyboard. Audio quality is excellent 👌 .I had a focusrite 2i2 2nd generation. I cannot compare. Because the difference is too big. UA has launched a very good product.
This was really informative. I was looking at this as a secondary mobile interface to my Apollo. I think I may just go with the 176/276. The plug-in bundle is not impressive but I can just use my UAD plugs in post. But the info on dynamic range being dropped while the 76 comp is engaged was key. Thanks!
Great video overall. You stuff so much information into it, that I need to focus on your videos really hard, to not miss any details. I love it! One little thing challenged me this time: I noticed, you said, it has a dynamic range of 118.8db(A). With that kind of dynamic range, it should be sitting within the top 3 of the chart, challenging the Clarret 2PRE and Ultralite Mk5. But on the chart the VOLT 2 and 276 sit at the same spot, well below 115. Is the chart faulty, or is it more like 111.8dB(A) of dynamic range?
Hi Julian, I bought a VOLT 476 last week and I loved how clean the audio output was until I noticed the left channel had a hum and the left-right balance was off until the monitor level was higher than 10%. The headphone output had none of these problems. Fortunately, Long and McQuade exchanged the unit right away for a new one. What is unfortunate is that the new one has the same balance problem as the original but this time, the headphone output is the faulty one. I am now on the fence about what to do. I really like to monitor at low levels, which I could do with my lowly Focusrite Audiobox iTwo without any noise and perfect balance. Do you recommend another interface or should I bite the bullet and just use the Focusrite for monitoring. thanks!
In terms of Volt 2/4 vs 276/476, another difference is slightly enhanced hardware metering on the *76 models. (None of them look like they're up to displays on the MOTU M2/4, however.)
Nice channel, You actually going deep inside those things.
Great review. Unfortunately we in Australia are still waiting for our orders made in Oct to be fulfilled. Can’t wait to get one.
I have seen several reviewers say that the single USB-C cable is sufficient to power the device. It does seem to work without the additional 5V connector, but I discovered that using the 5V connector seems to reduce the channel imbalance. I don't have any gear to measure the amount of imbalance, but the left channel is very noticeably louder than the right channel when not using the 5V connector. The left channel is only slightly louder than the right when I use the 5V.
I got it last week, and while I really love it I am going to have to get a fethead to fully drive the audio on my mv7 unless I eat the mic (which for me sounds awful). The compressor only kicks in as you drive up towards the top so that is an extra 7db you need to drive it to make full use of it. The preamp does great but when I have it fully engaged it starts to get some unpleasant character to the sound. That said, this is the closest I've come to being able to just record and done, no processing needed. And that is nice because I usually have to spend hours messing around with the audio to get a good result. I also like the vintage mode a lot. Similar features on other cheap interfaces sound like absolute garbage to me, and presence boost and similar features on microphones make my voice sound stupid. But this vintage mode is really magical stuff. Like having just a touch of Mel Torme in my voice. Subtle though, maybe 2-3% Mel Torme that livens up my voice just enough to make it sound interesting! So I am very happy with it, but I am getting a fethead, and I think this is really necessary if you want to make proper use of the compressor feature. And if you don't, you probably didn't buy this is the first place.
How have I never seen your channel!? Love it!
Thanks Julian. I am a newb, so I purchased the Native Instruments Komplete Audio 1 for use at Apple Music playing & for Garage Band lessons as I attempt to learn acoustic guitar. It's working well for both, and as you said it's plastic but very well built. I'm totally satisfied and 'enjoy it's desktop presence next to the Mac Mini. All of your reviews have been fascinating, and your bits of humor are always fun, thanks again...j
Nice review. It would be nice to hear a/b test audio samples as with noise floor comparison on different units 👍
I'd love to see you do an RME interface. UCX II?
I think compression always reduces dynamic range?
@Julian Krause How about the 10 ohms headphones output impedance? Do you recommend using a 48 ohm headphone on this?
Hi Julian - I enjoy your reveiws. Can you please review the new Focusrite Clarret+ interface and maybe compare it to the old Clarret model ?? Is the Clarret+ a significant upgrade in quality??
Absolutely, will do so, once I get my hands on the new Clarett+ series :)
Looking forward to this!
If you care only about the quality of the AD/DA, for external pre use, which interface of these would you choose..? Thank you for the video, incredibly detailed
Hi Julian. What do you think about the Volt 476 compared to other 4 input interfaces such as Motu M4 or Focusrite Scarlet 18i8? Thanks for your answer!
So strange that they put the vu meters off to the side. You would think they would look pretty good aligned more like a channel strip right above the inputs
well if the "compressor" is the only difference between the "2" and the "276" model , can you please review/compere the compressor a bit more ?
thanks
Damn I use a presonus audio box 96 too luckily upgrading after watching these videos
Fantastic review as always - I love this channel. Thanks for the video.
And now, the big question! Should I as a new recording singer setting up my first home studio choose this Volt 276 or go with the Audient id 14 mkll?! 😀😅😲😉
I'd 14. It has better A/D converters. And solid preamp as well
Audient
same question from my side
Audient ID14 way better than this Volt, check the Motu M4 also.
I’ve been doing extensive research on this item and been looking for some answers. Someone made a video comparing the Apollo, Focusrite, SSL and another interface, they did a good job and I heard the difference between them. The Apollo sounded really good, making the others having lesser quality of sound. So I got my answer from there. The SSL was not so bad, just not as good. Now my question is, how will the Volt sound compared to the Apollo? I have an Apogee right now that sounds amazing, but won’t be compatible with my newer MacBook Pro Max. I’m not concerned with Apollo DSP, I’m more concerned about the quality of sound. So I want to know what the Volt sounds like next to the Apollo and will it be good as the X4.
I’ve got an Apogee as well and looking at the Volt for the compression, etc. Did you get a Volt?
@@kerosenefilms Yeah I have the Volt. It sounds really good, but I haven’t really had a chance to really test it out yet. But so far, it sounds about good as my Apogee. I’m trying to figure out what to buy next. Maybe I’ll get the SSL Big Six. But I’m thinking I can get what I want with this Volt.
@@Dante-qf9yd Thanks for the update.
@@kerosenefilms You’re r welcome.
Thank you, so looks like general performance is average (on your chart) but the 76 did make a noticeable difference. I've been wanting to get an Audient id44 mk2 and a separate 1176 clone, but then saw the 476P which has the 76 built in (without transformers). so it could hit the spot, plus having 76 on multi channels is a win and save me £500 for one mono 1176 clone. that said, I want my next interface to last another 10+ years, and sounds like this is a bit dated, where as id44 mk2 is top of your charts. very tough. but thank you.
You do the best reviews. Great video and extremely informative!
My favourite tech vlogger!
Great, pragmatic video - thank you 🙏 I was wondering who you reminded me of. Answer: Paul Muad'dib as played by Kyle MacLachlan
Thanks for the video. As usual, great review. Hey Julian. I had a thought. It would be interesting if you could gather up some old studio grade Audio interfaces of 10 to 13 years old. To see how they differ compared to today's standards? 🤔
Volt 276/ 176 or Audient id4 mk ii ??
Please suggest.
Incredible tech review! Clear and deep. Thank you!
Is there a place we can download all the charts and graphs comparing the various interfaces you've reviewed?
Dear Julian,
I am an avid viewer of your channel as I find your reviews trustworthy. I was searching around but saw you have no videos of RME products. I am planning to buy a babyface pro fs soon and your thoughts on this would mean a lot since it's a big purchase for me. Even if you don't make a video a simple comment on what you think about it would help me a lot.
Much Love,
Internet Guy Who Loves Your Reviews.
After watching a few of these JK reviews on interfaces. It seems like Motu M2 is the king in the budget range and also is able to challenge expensive ones like clarett audient etc.
Please review the Mackie Big Knob Studio+. It is an 18v unit with a 15v/5v digital board. I would like to know if this makes a significant difference with the noise floor and available headroom.
Lieber Julian, vielen dank für diese tolle reviews. Ganz grosse klasse. Ich bin seit länger eine treue RME nutzer, wäre toll zu sehen wie du die aktuelle generation von Soundkarten findest.
Hello Julian. I am currently recording with a 10y old Scarlet 2i2 1Gen and want to upgrade to something more professional (had a few songs on the radio and my interface is really lacking). I now have the chance to buy a used (1y old) UAD Apollo Solo Interface (with classic collection plugins) from a local recording studio and was wondering if it is worth the higher price point when compared to other (cheaper) interfaces (eg. Audient iD 14, SSL2/2+ or even UADs own VOlt 276). To be clear - i am looking to buy something that will serve me well for another 8-10 years of my musical journey. Thank you very much in advance and all the best!
I'm finding that mine has a lot of white noise when using the compressor.
Hey Julian- amazing video. One other video mentioned noise via the headphone amp, did you notice that?
Great review. What do you think about the volt 4? Does this review apply also to that and the 476 audio interfaces?
Amazing review as always Julian.
Any chance you can review the Roland Rubix24? That one also has a built-in compressor/limiter.
Would be interested in this as well.
When should we expect the video comparing the “vintage mode” with focusrite’s “air mode”?
Great in depth coverage!
Planned for next week 😊
Would I be able to connect a guitar to my iPhone camera to record? If so how
I noticed the sharp increase in signal when the compressor was engaged as well.
Thanks for the review! I asked this in the Volt 2 review as well, is loopback supported? So far there is no mention of this on the software manual at all.
I think I will go with the MiniFuse 2 from Arturia instead in the meantime due to it being so similar, and the software has documented loopback support (also no need to register to use the software as well I believe).
UAD, if you are reading this, user registration for the driver is a dick move!
Hey, I just checked and the Volt series has no loopback feature.
... the downside of registering for software is that you've opened yourself up for other marketing efforts? Other issues?
Can you do the Apollo Solo and Apollo Twin X next? I think those reviews would be extremely popular.
I have one of these on the way but what other interface would you recommend that checks the following:
Above average DAC built in (good enough for my topping A90)
Ultra low latency
24 bit-192khz capabikity
2 xlr/1/4” jacks (mic/guitar)
L/R TRS speaker out (TRS->XLR to my A90)
Love your content!
13:31, I don't think I've ever seen that much expression on your face. Your comedy is getting better every video!
your reviews are just amazing! thanks!
what about apogee element 24, or uad, or descreet 4? or something with thunderbolt, cause i think thunderbolt devices gain with latency but lose to others thank you so much for your videos!!
zen Q synergy core is cool
Hey my friend Julian!
What a great channel you got in here!
You mentioned that this ad/da converter is little bit old... What would you say compared to the Audient id14 MK2 's converter?
It would have a better converter?
And for in line guitar plugged in which one would have the best pre amp?
Thanks for all you work! ❤
This is true. I use an hd600 and he 560v4. On the hd600 it isn't as noticable, but as the he560 was planar, the headphone imbalance was very pronounced. My left earcup was louder than my right earcup
Julian, it would be nice to get a review on the latest rme babyface. Is it really a class better than the interface class that you reviewed? Is RME the next level? Thank you Julian. I appreciate your honest and reliable work!
I'm currently testing it 😊
My Tascam Dp 24 has dead channels. I've resisted getting into this end-bit it's time. I think this is my winner.
Thank you so much for your great work 🙃🤟❤️
perfect review thanks julian
Thank you for this super informative video as always Julian! Can you please review the Focusrite Clarett+ line next?? :)))))
Finally 😭 Julian you are the man!
Man, I'm surprised there's no Apollo Twin X review on your channel yet