Onox Posted October 24, 2022 Share Posted October 24, 2022 Hey Guys, I am planning to change my Practice Set Up to work with Headphones. Most of the time I play along SBL Lessons or Songs from Youtube and Spotify. I thought that an Interface would come in handy. I am totally new to this Subject but I found out that I need to run my PC Sounds through the Interface and use direct monitoring to listen to my Bass. I am undecided between a UA Volt 1 or 2 and a SSL2(+). The SSL2 has that nice direct monitoring blend knob and a higher Input Gain. The Volt 2 has a fixed direct Input Volume, which is a disadvantage I guess but works great with iPhones and Ipads. So in the end it comes down to Headphone Amp Quality and Direct Monitoring Feature. Had anyone the chance to play through both and could suggest the best choice? Maybe relevant information could be that I got a Bassrig Super Vintage on my Pedalboard I want to connect. I am gonna use Audio Technica M50x or Beyerdynamics HD 900 Pro X Headphones. Thanks very much in advance! Kind regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
velvetkevorkian Posted October 25, 2022 Share Posted October 25, 2022 I doubt you'll hear any noticeable difference between them. I've been very happy with my SSL2 for a similar use case, although that was an opportunistic second hand buy rather than a considered choice. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onox Posted October 25, 2022 Author Share Posted October 25, 2022 That sounds good and helps, thanks! You control the main Volume with the big knob and mixing the Signal between direct und USB, right? So the direct monitoring sound can have a high volume? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
velvetkevorkian Posted October 25, 2022 Share Posted October 25, 2022 Yes, exactly. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 Fixed gain would make me walk away. I am a very happy SSL2+ user. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skidder652003 Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 SSL all day long,,, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinterMute Posted October 27, 2022 Share Posted October 27, 2022 Not sure where the idea the Volt has a fixed DI gain comes from, spec says 55db of gain for the TRS input, both UA and SSL use combo input and neither have a dedicated DI input. I've spent a little time with the Volt 4 and have spec'ed SSL desktop stuff for Uni builds, there's very little to chose between them really. I prefer the "vintage" Pre-amp sound to the SSL "4K" but it's so subjective. Both will do exactly the same zero latency or direct monitoring. Both come with a range of software, and the Volt include the Ampeg equation found in the Apollo range, which is very useful. What the Volt ange won't do is play with UA's Luna DAW, which is a excellent bit of software that comes free with the UAD2 age of hardware. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onox Posted October 27, 2022 Author Share Posted October 27, 2022 Thanks for the replies. @WinterMute Not fixed DI Gain but direct monitoring has a fix Volume. I could adjust Volume with my Origin Bassrig but the Overall Volume could be too low. I like the Design of the Volt 2 way more. Since I want the DI Sound from my Pedalboard, I Do not realy care about 4k or Vintage Preamp Mode but that could change in the Future Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinterMute Posted October 27, 2022 Share Posted October 27, 2022 13 minutes ago, Onox said: Thanks for the replies. @WinterMute Not fixed DI Gain but direct monitoring has a fix Volume. I could adjust Volume with my Origin Bassrig but the Overall Volume could be too low. I like the Design of the Volt 2 way more. Since I want the DI Sound from my Pedalboard, I Do not realy care about 4k or Vintage Preamp Mode but that could change in the Future Right, I see what you meant, no variable blend for input/DAW. With a zero latency interface, you monitor through the DAW, the only time you need to blend the input with the DAW is what the DAW can't deliver zero-latency input monitoring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desto Posted July 17, 2023 Share Posted July 17, 2023 Does both have zero-latency direct monitoring? And will both sufficiently power 300 ohms headphones? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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