Focusrite FORTE
USB Audio Interface, 2 In-4 Out

Taking its name from the original Focusrite console that embodied all the fundamental elements of the renowned Focusrite sound, Forte is a portable professional USB audio interface with two inputs and four outputs, housed in a compact, sturdy aluminium case.

Forte has been designed specifically to provide an effective input path to your computer with the maximum possible audio quality for mic, line and instrument sources. In particular, Forte delivers class-leading dynamic range and noise floor – both highly significant in today’s world of an almost unlimited number of tracks making up a mix – and class-leading conversion performance, ensuring you get the very best quality sound at all times.

Featuring two of the latest design of Focusrite's remote-controlled microphone preamplifiers, as used in Focusrite’s flagship RedNet range, Forte connects to both Mac and Windows computers via USB 2.0. It incorporates highest-quality precision 24-bit A-D and D-A converters operating at sample rates up to 192kHz, and the conversion stages have had maximum attention paid to both analogue and digital design to deliver the best possible performance.

Forte includes a colour OLED (Organic LED) display to indicate mic, line in, line out and headphone levels, gain structure and other functionality. It features a single smoothly-rotating control knob operated in conjunction with a series of touch-sensitive icons to access preamplifier and output functions – input, monitor, headphone, and control – plus the ability to control DAW functions and act as a remote control for your music software.

In addition to providing the highest quality input preamps and signal path, particular attention has been paid to ergonomic design. A breakout cable with locking connector is used for microphone (XLR) and line/instrument (TRS) inputs, but balanced line and independent headphone outputs are provided on the unit itself, so the breakout cable is not required for playback. In addition, the fact that the mic and line-level inputs on the breakout cable are separate means that you can keep your inputs connected all the time without having to re-patch when you go from one to the other. The aluminium case includes non-slip strips on the base to ensure that it is always stable during operation. An external power supply is included with the unit, but this is only necessary if Phantom Power operation is required: otherwise Forte operates solely on bus power.

The Forte Control software application allows the configuration of low-latency monitoring, mic pre level adjustment and other features. Also in the box is the classic Focusrite Midnight plugin suite, accurately modeling the classic ISA110 EQ and ISA130 compressor.

Focusrite’s original Forté was the recording console based on the ground-breaking mic pre and compression modules that Rupert Neve created for Air Studios back in the 1980s. Designed to offer the very highest audio path quality irrespective of cost, the Forté console set the benchmarks for mic preamplifiers and dynamic control and that remain unequalled today. Since then, Focusrite has also established itself as a world leader in digital audio conversion, demonstrating that even today, where digital conversion seems an everyday process, it’s still possible to deliver an outstanding sound through no-compromise analogue and digital design and component selection.

Key Features:

Two Focusrite remote-controlled mic preamps from the RedNet range
Forte features Focusrite’s latest preamplifier design, as used in Focusrite’s flagship RedNet range. They ensure the very highest quality audio quality

Ultra-high quality A-D / D-A conversion at up to 24-bit/192kHz resolution
Precision conversion ensures the path from analogue input to your recording system is of the highest quality. Focusrite is known for its pre-amps but its converter designs are equally class leaders

+48V phantom power, HPF and polarity reverse
Forte can operate on USB bus power so in normal operation there is no need to connect it to the mains - the PSU (supplied) is only needed if you require phantom power

Mac and Windows compatible
Forte is fully compatible with both Windows and Mac. In both cases, Forte integrates extensively with the OS for simple and familiar operation

Premium aluminium enclosure
Forte is built into a solid aluminium enclosure, making it elegant, rugged and reliable for life on the road – or in the studio.

Connections split between locking breakout cable and the body
TRS line and independent headphone outputs are mounted on the body, so you don’t need the breakout cable for playback. Separate XLR and TRS jacks are available on the loom so no need to re-patch your inputs

Touch-sensitive buttons: large control knob
Touch-sensitive icons switch the multi-mode control knob between monitor, headphone, input and DAW control. The DAW control functions include play, stop and zoom - other functions can be defined by you

Colour OLED (Organic LED) metering/display
Instantly check levels and see which function the control knob is assigned to with the clear, bright colour display

Control and configuration software included
Included software allows configuration of low-latency monitoring, mic pre gain and other audio settings. Supports leading DAW systems

Specifications:

Hardware 

• 2 in / 4 out USB audio interface 
• 192KHz, 24-bit conversion 
• 2 Focusrite microphone preamplifiers 
• Silver aluminium chassis 

Top panel 

• Large multi-function push encoder 
• 4 touch sensitive mode buttons 
• Headphone socket (front panel) 

Rear panel

• 2 balanced monitor outputs – ¼” TRS Jack 
• Input Loom socket 
• Power socket 
• USB 2.0 Port 
• Kensington Lock slot (rear side) 

Key Performance Figures 

• Measured Real World ADC Dynamic Range 117 dB (A-weighted)
• Measured Real World DAC Dynamic Range 118 dB (A-weighted)
• Chipset ADC/DAC Dynamic Range 120 dB (A-weighted)

Microphone Inputs 

• Gain Range 0 - 75dB
• Mic Input RedNet remote controlled pre-amplifier
• Maximum Input level @ Minimum gain for 0 dBFS (Rs = 150 Ohms, without pad) 12dBu +/- 0.5dB
• Minimum Input level @ Maximum gain for 0 dBFS (Rs = 150 Ohms, without pad) -63dBu +/- 0.5dB
• SNR (A-weighted) -117dB (Rs = 150 Ohms)
• Frequency Response (Rs = 150 Ohms) 50Hz - 42kHz +/- 0.1 dB (-0.5dB @ 20Hz)
• THD+N @ -1dBFS: 0.0007% (measured with +11dBu input, minimum gain, 1kHz with a 20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter, Rs = 150 Ohms)
• Noise EIN: 128dB (measured with 60dB of gain with 150 Ohm termination 20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
• Input Pad Attenuation 10dB (Rs = 150 Ohms)
• Phantom Power 48V, independently switchable for each channel (only available with external Power Supply connected)

Line inputs 

• Gain Range -12 - 42dB
• Maximum Input level @ Miniumum gain for 0dBFS 20dBu +/- 0.5dB
• Minimum Input level @ Maxiumum gain for 0dBFS -34dBu +/- 0.5dB
• SNR (A-weighted) -116dB
• Frequency Response 20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.2dB
• THD+N @ -1dBFS: < 0.003% (measured with +19dBu input, minimum gain, 1kHz and 22Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)

Instument inputs

• Gain Range +14 - 68dB
• Maximum Input Level for 0 dBFS (minimum gain) +10dBu +/- 0.5dB
• Maximum Input Level for 0 dBFS (maximum gain, no pad) -44dBu +/- 0.5dB
• SNR (A-weighted) -111dB
• Frequency Response 20Hz-20kHz +/- 0.2dB
• THD+N @ -1dBFS: < 0.003% (measured with +9dBu input, minimum gain, 1kHz with a 20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)

Analog High Pass Filters

• Independently switchable (from control panel) for each input 
• -6dB response (referenced to 1kHz) 65Hz +/- 3Hz, roll-off 12dB / octave
• Analog Audio Outputs 1-2 (¼" TRS Balanced) Measurered with PSU connected: 
• Electronically Balanced Outputs 
• SNR (A-weighted) -118 dB
• Frequency Response 20Hz-20kHz +/- 0.1 dB
• Maximum Output Level (0dBFS) +16dBu +/- 0.5dB
• THD+N <0.0008% (-1dBFS input 1kHz, 20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
• Headphone Outputs Measurered with PSU connected: 
• Frequency Response 20Hz-20kHz +/- 0.1 dB
• SNR (A-weighted) -116 dB
• THD+N <0.0008% (-1dBFS input 1kHz, 20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter, 10k load)
• Maximum Output into 10k +9 dBu (+7dBV)
• Maximum Power into 150R 30 mW
• Maximum Power into 32R 27 mW
• Output Impedance < 8 Ohms
• Load Impedance > 24 Ohms

Crosstalk (measured at 1kHz) 

• Input to Input and Output to Output > 90dB
• Input to Output > 90dB
• Additional Conversion Performance: 
• Clock jitter < 250 picoseconds 
• Supported Sample Rates: 
• 44.1kHz / 48kHz / 88.2kHz / 96kHz / 176.4kHz / 192kHz 

Connectivity

• Analog Inputs Wire Loom (Inputs 1-2): 
• 2 x XLR Mic 
• 2 x 1/4" TRS for Line / Instrument Inputs 
• Software switching of Mic / Line or Instrument Inputs 

Analog Audio Outputs 

• 2 x TRS Analog outputs (Outputs 1-2) 
• 1 x TRS stereo headphone output (Outputs 3-4) 

Other I/O 

• 1 x USB 2.0 compliant USB port 
• 1 x 5V @ 1A DC Power Input (required for Microphone +48V power) 

What's in the Box:

• Focusrite Forte unit
• Locking breakout cable for inputs
• User Guide UK/Fr/De
• USB cable
• Power Supply

Included software:

• Forte Control software
• Focusrite Midnight plug-in suite