Universal Audio Volt 4 Max – Max Compression with Speaker Switching

Volt 4 Max builds a small control room around two Tone Shaping Preamps: Max Processing compression, Main/Alt speaker switching, talkback, two headphone outputs, extra line I/O, ADAT, MIDI and a USB hub, with a power supply in the box. At Soundium it is the Volt for producers who mix on two pairs of monitors.

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
• Main and Alt Speaker Switching: Check mixes on a second pair of monitors at the push of a button
• Built-In Talkback Mic: Communicate with the performer between takes
• 12-in / 6-out with ADAT: Line inputs 3-4 plus 8 optical channels for outboard gear and expansion
• Smart Display: Gain-reduction metering, Auto-Gain and Clip Protection

Customer Benefits

Speaker switching, talkback and dual headphones are features you normally buy a separate monitor controller for. Here they sit next to preamps with tone and compression, so a desk setup can record, monitor and check mixes from one unit. The included supply keeps everything stable with a powered USB controller on the hub.

Quick Specs

• Simultaneous I/O: 12-in / 6-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), 2x 6.3 mm TRS line 3-4, ADAT/S/PDIF optical, MIDI in, talkback mic
• Outputs: Main + Alt monitor pairs (6.3 mm TRS), 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: Bus-powered or included 3 A supply, 5.5 W typical; rear power switch

In the Box

• Universal Audio Volt 4 Max
• USB-C to USB-C cable
• USB power supply (5 V / 3 A)
• 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

• Producers mixing on two monitor pairs
• Home studios recording guests
• Hybrid rigs with synths and outboard

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:

• Monitor controller features built in
• Max compression and Tone Shaping on both preamps
• Power supply included

⚠️ Cons:

• Still 2 mic preamps; four mics need Volt 4P Max or ADAT
• Larger desktop footprint than the Gen 2 models

Volt 4 Max replaces a small pile of desk boxes with one interface. It is available at Soundium beside the four-preamp Volt 4P Max.