01 · Source
4 documented inputs
XLR/TRS combo + midi din5
- Arrives as
- 4 documented inputs
- Connector
- XLR/TRS combo + midi din5
- Signal
- analog audio
Audio Interface
Universal Audio Volt 276
Universal Audio Volt 276 USB-C Audio Interface. Plan its source-defined physical connections and placement in your rig.
- Documented outputs
- 44 destination connections
- Documented inputs
- 4Based on documented inputs
- Rack space
- Outside rackPlan a shelf, tray, or stage position
- Power draw
- 3.5W5W documented maximum
- Catalog estimate
- ~$299Use retailer rows for current price and stock
01 · What it does—and what that changes in your rig.
Product overview
Start with the payoff, then work through how it functions, where it fits, and the details that change a real build.
The payoff
Audio Interface decisions, organized around the whole rig.
Universal Audio Volt 276 USB-C Audio Interface. Plan its source-defined physical connections and placement in your rig.
- Documented outputs
- 44 destination connections
- Documented inputs
- 4Based on documented inputs
- Rack space
- Outside rackPlan a shelf, tray, or stage position
02 · Know the whole path before you buy.
Signal path
Learn the route as a block diagram: source, product function, transport, and destination. Select any block to see what enters, what changes, and what leaves.
Interactive block diagramAuto-looping · hover, focus, or tap to hold a stage
Port-type signalProduct functionSystem boundary
Follow one signal from source to destination
01 · Source · selectedEach block answers the same three questions: what arrives, what changes here, and what leaves.
03 · What this product asks of the rest of the system.
Compatibility
Treat connector names as the start of the check—not the answer. These are the boundaries that determine a complete working path.
Best fit · Audio Interface
Use it as audio interface tracked outside rack rails; follow the manufacturer’s mounting and form-factor guidance.
Plan the companion path
Complete the path with upstream and downstream gear that matches connector, direction, signal type, protocol, and wiring standard.
Connector boundary
Documented connectors: XLR/TRS combo, ¼-inch TRS, midi din5, usb c. Match connector, direction, and signal type—not shape alone.
04 · Every connector, grouped by job.
I/O ports
Switch the product view and the documented port inventory updates with it—hardware and data stay side by side.
Every connector, grouped by job.
Switch panels to keep the hardware view and the documented port list in sync.
| Port | Panel | Connector | Direction | Signal | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| INPUT 1 · MIC / LINE / INST | front | XLR/TRS combo | input | analog audio | — |
| INPUT 2 · MIC / LINE / INST | front | XLR/TRS combo | input | analog audio | — |
| STEREO HEADPHONES | front | ¼-inch TRS | output | analog audio | — |
| MONITOR 1 / L | rear | ¼-inch TRS | output | analog audio | — |
| MONITOR 2 / R | rear | ¼-inch TRS | output | analog audio | — |
| MIDI OUT | rear | midi din5 | output | data | — |
| MIDI IN | rear | midi din5 | input | data | — |
| USB-C · DATA / BUS POWER | rear | usb c | bidirectional | data | — |
| 5V DC · CENTER POSITIVE | rear | dc barrel | input | power | — |
Showing 9 of 9 documented physical ports.
05 · Compare the decision, not just the price.
Alternatives
The rows are organized around fit, power, I/O, and system role so a cheaper unit cannot hide a more expensive workflow.
| Compare | External unit |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fit | 📐 Outside rack | 📐 1U | 📐 1U | 📐 Outside rack |
| Power | ⚡ 3.5W | ⚡ 30W | ⚡ Unverified | ⚡ Unverified |
| Weight | ⚖️ 1.7 lb | ⚖️ 8.6 lb | ⚖️ 6.2 lb | ⚖️ 1.5 lb |
| I/O | 🔌 9 | 🔌 13 | 🔌 39 | 🔌 16 |
| Estimate | 💵 ~$299 | 💵 ~$3,799 | 💵 ~$3,199 | 💵 ~$280 |
| Deep dive | Current selection | Full comparison → | Full comparison → | Full comparison → |
06 · Resolve the questions that can change the purchase or build plan.
Planning questions
Short, source-backed answers surface rack fit, power, cabling, and connection details before they become surprises.
Where does the Universal Audio Volt 276 live in a complete rig?
The catalog assigns it no rack units. Builder tracks it as non-rack gear; follow the manufacturer’s mounting, case, and form-factor guidance.
How much power does the Universal Audio Volt 276 draw?
Typical draw is 3.5W and documented maximum draw is 5W.
What connections does the Universal Audio Volt 276 have?
9 documented physical ports, including INPUT 1 · MIC / LINE / INST, INPUT 2 · MIC / LINE / INST, STEREO HEADPHONES, MONITOR 1 / L, MONITOR 2 / R, MIDI OUT.
07 · See this gear inside a complete system plan.
Builder preview
Builder keeps non-rack gear in the same bill of materials, budget, dependency, and connection plan as the rack-mounted system around it.Open in Builder08 · Related gear, in the order you may need it.
Complete the system
Audio Interface
Universal Audio Apollo x16 Gen 2
1U · 13 ports · ~$3,799Audio Interface
RME Fireface UFX III
1U · 39 ports · ~$3,199Audio Interface
MOTU M4
Outside rack · 16 ports · ~$280
Audio Interface
MOTU 16A Audio Interface
1U · 11 ports · ~$2,495
Audio Interface
MOTU 24Ao Audio Interface
1U · 9 ports · ~$1,995
Audio Interface
MOTU 24Ai Audio Interface
1U · 9 ports · ~$1,995Planning guides for audio interface systems.
Related articles
Workflow · 7 min
Picking an Audio Interface for a Live IEM Rig
How to choose between a digital mixer, a Thunderbolt interface, and a Dante converter as the brain of your IEM rack — with concrete picks at each tier.
Workflow · 14 min
Building a Click + Tracks Playback Rig: From Laptop to Multi-Output Interface
How to build a live-performance playback rig that runs click + backing tracks reliably — interface sizing, routing rules, software comparison, and what to do when the laptop crashes.
Workflow · 12 min
Redundant Playback: Two Laptops, an Auto-Switching Interface, and Why You Need One
How to build a fail-safe live playback rig with primary + backup laptops, an auto-switching audio interface, and a failover workflow you can actually trust on a Sunday morning.
Workflow · 11 min
SMPTE Timecode for Worship and Touring: Locking Tracks, Lights, and Video
LTC vs MTC vs MIDI Clock, how to generate timecode from Ableton or Playback, how lighting and video receive it, and the frame-rate mistake that drifts every show.