The 1U rack-mount Universal Audio Volt 876 audio interface is on the bench! The larger cousin to the rest of the affordable Volt interface range, the 876 brings quite a bit of additional fit and function to the family. Notably, the 876 can be used as an ADAT expansion unit and features completely redesigned converters capable of recording up to 32-bit, 192 kHz audio.
This new Volt 876 still gives users easy-to-grok hardware-based options for coloring or compressing the preamps on the way in, with each of the eight preamps featuring the Volt Vintage mode and 1176-style analog compressors on each channel. Fully class compliant on macOS, the 876 works with any DAWs or apps via a single USB-C cable, and when used with Universal Audio's free LUNA DAW, users get a bit more integrated control from within LUNA. Note that LUNA 2.0 is required if in use with the 876 (see my review in this issue). Interestingly, the 876 is the first Volt interface that allows for remote control and preset management using the free UA Console software.
Per the name, there are eight preamps on board via 1/4-inch/XLR combo jacks, with two of these connections conveniently in front. All can accept instrument- or mic-level signals (with switchable phantom power available). The eight analog outputs are via 1/4-inch TRS, and, like the more expensive Apollo interfaces, you can assign a pair of outs to be your alt monitors and choose them via a button on the front panel.
More upgrades: There is BNC-style word clock I/O on the back and two banks of ADAT optical I/O for a total of 16 channels of optical input and output at sample rates up to 96 kHz. Like most ADAT interfaces, at rates above 96 kHz, this optical I/O steps down to four channels in and out. For sample rates higher than 48 kHz, the maximum number of expander channels is eight, and only one ADAT expander unit is supported on the 876. You will also find five-pin DIN MIDI I/O on the back and even a talkback mic on the well-designed and ergonomic front panel. The function-per-control ratio is almost 1:1 on the front, meaning that there is almost no need to reach for a mouse when using this interface – everything from polarity inversion to metering selection and monitor dimming/muting has a dedicated button.
The preamps and compressor voicings sound great! The same three 1176 compressor voicings available on earlier Volt interfaces are here, with attack and release presets for Fast, Gtr, and Voc. Using the combination of the Vintage drive and the three compressor settings gives eight different tonal possibilities with each of the eight preamps – that’s kind of bonkers in what is essentially considered to be a value interface.
Having this interface available inside the Console app is a game changer for Volt – with the 876 + Console, you can save entire mix, monitor, and input routings as presets and have instant session recall, just like the Apollo range. Although you can’t print UAD plug-in effects on the way in (like you can with Apollo), you can still take advantage of the handy auto-gain feature addition within Console. There is a convenient loopback toggle that routes the computer audio back into Console – something that can also be set up with Apollo + Console, but Apollo doesn’t have that dedicated shortcut button. If an Apollo unit is attached at the same time as the 876, both units work as expected in Console, but in USB mode the 876 doesn’t appear in-line with the Apollo – instead, you click to switch between controlling either the Volt 876 or Apollo units (not both at the same time). In ADAT mode, we can still remote control all of the 876 functions from Console, but it essentially serves as a set of eight analog inputs and outputs over ADAT that you can use with any other ADAT-capable audio interface.
If you have an existing Apollo interface, this is an affordable way to expand your I/O while still retaining remote control (and recall) of each unit's functions. Alternatively, you can stack up to three Volt 876s together to create a 24-channel Volt 876 super system inside Console. Sadly, most of this interoperability doesn’t (yet?) extend to the rest of the Volt range, as the 876 is the only Volt that currently works with the Console software. This doesn’t mean you can’t use the 876 with other Volts (I tested, and you definitely can); it just means the 876 is the only Volt currently addressable through Console.
A few minor gripes: Round-trip latency isn’t quite as good as with the more expensive Apollo range, but it’s still manageable, especially with the direct monitoring option. I found both headphone preamps to have enough drive for all my headphones (including sensitive low-impedance IEMs), but they perhaps sounded a shade less accurate than the headphone outputs on the Apollo x8p [Tape Op #130]. And I’m not a fan of the plastic knobs on the front panel; if the 876 were installed in my rack, I’d probably venture over to <lovemyswitches.com> and find some suitable metal replacements. But at this price point, these are all very acceptable exchanges!
I’m super impressed with this latest "flagship" Volt and would not hesitate to recommend the Volt 876 to musicians or engineers looking to step up their studio game. It’s insane to me that this level of fit, finish, and quality is available at this price. We truly live in an age of audio interface wonders.