Focusrite Forte

Focusrite Forte product overview cont...

• The Focusrite Forte has taken its name from the original Focusrite console that embodied all the fundamental elements of the renowned Focusrite sound. The original Forté was the recording console built around 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 quality of any console, irrespective of cost, the Forté set the benchmarks for mic pre-amps and dynamic control and those standards remain unequalled today.
• The Focusrite Forte USB interface has been designed to provide a compact, rugged and effective audio input path to your computer. Audio quality for mic, line and instrument sources are once again of the highest quality. The Forte delivers class-leading dynamic range and noise floor - both highly valuable assets in any modern day studio where an almost unlimited number of tracks makeup a mix. Two Focusrite remote controlled mic-pre amps and industry leading conversion ensure you get the very best sound quality at all times.
• The Focusrite Forte USB is the ideal audio interface for both Mac and Windows applications and connects via USB 2.0. 24-bit A-D and D-A converters operating at sample rates up to 192kHz ensure recording and play back are always of the highest quality. During the design and testing stages of this interface, maximum attention has been paid to both analogue and digital design. Focusrite, as always have worked hard to deliver the best possible performance.
• The Focusrite Forte includes a colour Organic LED (OLED) display which indicates mic, line in, line out and headphone levels, gain structure and other functionality. It features a single, large, 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. Included in the box is the Forte Control software application, which allows the configuration of low-latency monitoring, mic pre level adjustment and other features.
• The Focusrite team have paid particular attention to the ergonomic design. Microphone (XLR) and Line/instrument (TRS) inputs are via a breakout cable with locking connector. Balanced line and independent headphone outputs are built into the unit itself, so the breakout cable is not required for playback-only applications. The Forte can be bus powered but also included is a mains power supply which further improves output performance and delivers 48V phantom power to your microphone.
• The classic Focusrite Midnight plugin suite is also included in the box, accurately modelling the classic ISA110 EQ and ISA130 compressor from the original Focusrite Forté console.

Focusrite Forte Key Features:

• Two Focusrite remote-controlled microphone preamps
• Forte features Focusrite's latest preamplifier design, they ensure the very highest quality audio quality from your source.
• Ultra-high quality A-D and D-A conversion at up to 24-bit/192kHz resolution
• Precision conversion ensures that the entire path from analogue input to your recording system - and back again - is of the highest quality. Focusrite has built its reputation on the quality of its input stages, but its converter designs are equally class leaders: the result is superb end-to-end quality and performance.
• Includes power supply - can also be bus powered
• Forte can be bus powered and includes HPF and polarity reverse options. An included power supply further improves output performance and delivers 48V phantom power to your microphone.
• Mac and Windows compatible
• Focusrite recognises that there is more than one operating system in the audio world. 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.
• Built-in outputs / breakout cable delivers inputs
• TRS line and independent headphone outputs are mounted on the body, so you don't need the breakout cable for playback. Keep your XLR mic and TRS balanced line/instrument sources permanently connected to the included locking breakout cable, and select between them in software, without having to re-patch.
• Touch-sensitive buttons: large control knob
• Touch-sensitive icons switch the multi-mode control knob between monitor, headphone, input and DAW control, while the knob allows smooth, instant and intuitive access to settings and adjustments
• 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

Focusrite Forte Specifications:

• Hardware Specifications
• 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)
• Included software:
• Focusrite Midnight plug-in suite
• Forte Control software application
• Weights and dimensions
• Net Weight 476g
• Dims 170 x 116 x 36mm
• We only use strict AES17 standards to measure our audio performance specifications
• 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)
• Analogue High Pass Filters
• Independently switchable (from control panel) for each input
• -6dB response (referenced to 1kHz) 65Hz /- 3Hz, roll-off 12dB / octave
• Analogue Audio Outputs 1-2 (¼" TRS Balanced)
• Electronically Balanced Outputs
• SNR (A-weighted) -118 dB
• Frequency Response 20Hz-20kHz /- 0.1 dB
• Maximum Output Level (0dBFS) 16dBu /- 0.5dB
• THD N 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
• Analogue 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
• Analogue Audio Outputs
• 2 x TRS analogue 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)