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Universal Audio Volt 1 vs. Steinberg UR-RT2. Which one to buy?

VäzPre

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May 13, 2025
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Hello,

Which audio interface do you recommend? Steinberg UR-RT2 or Universal Audio Volt 1?

Primary use: Connecting an electric guitar to Tonex and Helix Native guitar software (playing and tuning, not recording). And listening to music from a PC. In both cases, the audio interface output will be connected to Kali Audio LP-6 studio monitors. The most important thing for me is the transparency of the signal/sound.

I have the opportunity to buy both interfaces for almost the same price. UR-RT2 was around $400 / €400 when it was new 7 years ago. The question is whether it is better than other Steinberg interfaces or whether the price was only made by transformers and marketing "Neve". At least the main output has better parameters on paper.

Thank you.
 
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I don't know, but it shouldn't matter that much. A guitar signal is stronger than a microphone so it's "easier". The "problem" is the high impedance which makes it prone to noise pick-up (and the fact that a guitar pickup is an "antenna" that picks-up hum & noise easily). The only way to change that is with an active pickup (which has low output impedance). ...And then you crank-up volume to compress/saturate and that cranks-up the noise.

I've heard about an interface that doesn't turn-down far enough and even with the knob at minimum and it sometimes gets overloaded but that was one of the more popular brands... I don't remember the manufacturer or model.

Have you used the software before? There is always SOME latency (delay) through a computer* and sometimes it can be a problem with real time monitoring.

If your software supports ASIO make sure the interface comes with ASIO drivers. They are supposed to be lower latency and you can adjust the buffer size (which determines latency).

Kali Audio LP-6 studio monitors.
They might not go as loud as a typical guitar amp so you might get a different "feel" while playing. On the other hand, your simulation software can probably get the sound of a saturated amp at lower volumes.

The most important thing for me is the transparency of the signal/sound.
That's the opposite of what your simulation software is supposed to do! :p


* Latency is related to the multitasking operating system and buffers, and your operating system is always multitasking, even when you're only running one application.
 
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