- Create an iLok account<\/strong><\/a><\/li>
- Redeem the bundled software<\/strong><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Setup and connections<\/strong><\/a>
- iOS devices<\/a><\/strong><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Register the interface<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
While it’s always exciting to open up the box and start using your interface right away, you must register your Volt interface with Universal Audio beforehand. Upon registration, you\u2019ll receive free licenses to the Ableton Live Lite DAW, as well as a suite of effects plugins and virtual instruments from manufacturers like Softube, Celemony, ujam, Spitfire Audio, Plugin Alliance, and Relab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Log in<\/a> to your Universal Audio account. If you don\u2019t have one yet, you can create one here<\/a>.<\/li>
- Go to the Software Download<\/a> page, and download the latest version of UA Connect for your OS.<\/li>
- Go to your Downloads <\/em>page, launch the installer, and follow the on-screen instructions.<\/li>
- Launch the UA Connect app, connect the Volt to your computer, then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the registration process.<\/li>
- During the registration process, you will be asked to install the driver. This must <\/strong>be installed, as it enables essential hardware features that are necessary to operate the Volt.
- If you don\u2019t see a registration window appear when you launch UA Connect, click Hardware <\/strong>located to the side of the screen, then click Add New Hardware<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Create an iLok account<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The bundled Softube and ReLab software are both licensed with iLok. That means to use them, you will need to sync its iLok license to your computer. If you don\u2019t already have an iLok account, you\u2019ll need to create one and install the iLok License Manager app. Check out our iLok Setup Guide<\/a> to learn more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Visit iLok\u2019s registration page<\/a> and complete the registration form.
- Please take note of your User ID and password as these are case-sensitive.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Open the iLok Account Activation email and click on the verification link.<\/li>
- Download and install the iLok License Manager<\/a>.<\/li>
- Launch the iLok License Manager app and sign in.<\/li>
- Click the \u201c..I\u201d<\/strong> button (top right), click the Available tab, locate your license, and drag it to the computer icon.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
![\"iLok-Website\"](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2020\/03\/iLok-Website-1024x876.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nClick the image to create an iLok account<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Redeem the bundled software<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
After you\u2019ve registered the Volt and have installed its driver, the next step is to redeem the free bundled software. The process is straightforward. You simply need to click the Software tab located to the left of the UA Connect app, click the Redeem <\/strong>button associated with the software you wish to install, and click Claim your code<\/strong>. From there, follow the on-screen instructions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- If you\u2019re redeeming the Spitfire Audio LABS virtual instrument, you will first need to download and install the Spitfire Audio App software<\/a>.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Updating the firmware<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Universal Audio will release firmware updates which will often include new features and fixes for bugs present in the current firmware version. Fortunately, UA has made the Volt\u2019s firmware update process simple. All you need to do is launch the UA Connect app, click the Hardware tab, then click Update located to the right of the Firmware <\/em>section.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"Link](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2021\/10\/Link-iLok-1024x504.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nLink your iLok account<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n![\"UA](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2021\/10\/UA-Connect-Volt-registration-1024x504.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nRegistering your UA Volt<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n![\"Software](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2021\/10\/Software-redemption-window-1024x504.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nRedeeming your bundled software<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Return to top<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nSetup and connections<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
After you\u2019ve registered the Volt with Universal Audio, it\u2019s time to get set up and connected. Setup is a breeze, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TIP: <\/strong>If you\u2019re using a condenser microphone, turn Phantom Power on AFTER <\/em>connecting it, then turn it off BEFORE <\/em>unplugging it. Connecting a condenser microphone to your interface while Phantom Power is turned on can result in a loud pop which may cause damage to your speakers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Turn the Volume knob all the way down, then connect your speakers.
- If you have headphones connected, turn its volume knob all the way down, as well.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Connect the USB cable from the interface to your computer, then power it on. The USB LED on the interface will light up.<\/li>
- Navigate to your OS sound settings and set it as the default input and output device.
- PC: <\/strong>Right-click the Speaker <\/strong>icon on the Windows taskbar, select Sounds<\/strong>, then click the Playback <\/strong>tab. Locate and select the Volt, click Set Default<\/strong>, then click OK <\/strong>to close the menu. Do the same in the Recording <\/strong>tab.<\/li>
- Mac<\/strong>: Click the Apple <\/strong>icon from the Menu Bar and select System Preferences<\/strong>. Click Sound<\/strong>, then select the Volt under the Input <\/em>and Output <\/em>tabs.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- If applicable, connect your headphones.<\/li>
- Play some music or a video, and slowly turn the main Volume (and headphone) knob up until it\u2019s at your desired listening level. <\/li>
- Launch your DAW, select your Universal Audio interface as the primary playback and recording device.<\/li>
- Press the Host\/Direct <\/strong>button (direct monitoring\/input monitoring) to switch between monitor sources. Check out our guide on the difference between direct and input monitoring<\/a> to learn more!
- Press the INST <\/strong>button when connecting instrument-level gear (e.g., guitar, bass).<\/em><\/li>
- Press the VINTAGE <\/strong>button to engage the Volt\u2019s discrete preamp, which is derived from the famous 610 tube preamp! <\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Universal Audio and Windows on Arm<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
All Universal Audio software and hardware are not compatible with Windows on Arm devices. In addition, for USB devices, Universal Audio recommends connecting to an Intel USB Host Controller, or one that meets the Intel xHCI 1.1 specification. Furthermore, AMD on earlier AM4 platforms may have limited functionality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
iOS devices<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
IMPORTANT: <\/strong>The Volt can be bus-powered while connected to a computer. Unless you have an iPad Pro, you will need to use a USB power adapter, such as Apple\u2019s 5W USB Power Adapter, as iOS devices can\u2019t provide enough power to the device.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Volt can also connect to iPads and iPhones, which is great for the musician who\u2019s on the go. All you need is the external power supply and an official Apple Lighting to USB Camera Adapter<\/a> cable. iPad Pro\u2019s with USB-C connections do not require the adapter. To learn how to get your Volt interface to work with iOS devices, check out our article below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Press the VINTAGE <\/strong>button to engage the Volt\u2019s discrete preamp, which is derived from the famous 610 tube preamp! <\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- Mac<\/strong>: Click the Apple <\/strong>icon from the Menu Bar and select System Preferences<\/strong>. Click Sound<\/strong>, then select the Volt under the Input <\/em>and Output <\/em>tabs.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- PC: <\/strong>Right-click the Speaker <\/strong>icon on the Windows taskbar, select Sounds<\/strong>, then click the Playback <\/strong>tab. Locate and select the Volt, click Set Default<\/strong>, then click OK <\/strong>to close the menu. Do the same in the Recording <\/strong>tab.<\/li>
- Turn the Volume knob all the way down, then connect your speakers.
- Visit iLok\u2019s registration page<\/a> and complete the registration form.
- Go to the Software Download<\/a> page, and download the latest version of UA Connect for your OS.<\/li>
- Log in<\/a> to your Universal Audio account. If you don\u2019t have one yet, you can create one here<\/a>.<\/li>
- Redeem the bundled software<\/strong><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>