Ghost Train RadioUniversal Audio Volt 276 and 476
The analog to digital interface, with pre amps is the “nerve center” for most singer – song writers who have modest home studios. For me, low latency, low noise and great layout of the inputs, outputs and controls is as important as value pricing.
Universal Audio knocked this one out of the park.
I also have a Motu M2 and SSL2, and they are excellent, but I’m finding I only use the 276.
I tried using a Universal Audio SOLO USB but hated it. Its installation procedure crashed and burned so I returned it to Amazon. I find that a bad installation procedure is a bad omen. It also downloaded over 12,000 files before going completely dead in the process. I almost started hating Universal Audio – as legendary as they are.
The 276 and 476 has turned me into a rabid fanboy. In the most recent song I double tracked the guitar and cello using Rode NT1A mics in stereo ORTF style with my fabulous Fender Mustang modeling amp, and also added a mono direct in track. The direct was clean / dry and the Mic stereo input had the colored “crunch”. It seems to me this leads to best versatility in case something I record could be used in the future (doubtful but why not make believe and do things right anyway).
The sound I got was the best I’ve gotten in my year and a half of recording. BTW, I highly recommend using a pair of matched mics on an amp. Its so much better than using one good and one not so goid Mic as I had been doing until now.
I’ve learned a lot from the David Miles Huber and Bobby Owsinski recording books. Gear is great, but knowledge is power!
Ghost Train Radio 