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User Guide www.focusrite.com
User Guide
www.focusrite.com
2
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS1. Readtheseinstructions.
2. Keeptheseinstructions.
3. Heedallwarnings.
4. Followallinstructions.
5. Cleanonlywithdrycloth.
6. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or otherapparatus(includingamplifiers)thatproduceheat.
7. Donotdefeatthesafetypurposeofthepolarizedorgrounding-typeplug.Apolarizedplughastwobladeswithonewiderthantheother.Agroundingtypeplughastwobladesandathirdgroundingprong.Thewidebladeorthethirdprongareprovidedforyoursafety.Iftheprovidedplugdoesnotfitintoyouroutlet,consultanelectricianforreplacementoftheobsoleteoutlet.
8. Protectthepowercordfrombeingwalkedonorpinchedparticularlyatplugs,conveniencereceptacles,andthepointwheretheyexitfromtheapparatus.
9. Onlyuseattachments/accessoriesspecifiedbythemanufacturer.
10. Useonlywiththecart,stand,tripod,bracket,ortablespecifiedbythemanufacturer,orsoldwiththeapparatus.Whenacartisused,usecautionwhenmovingthecart/apparatuscombinationtoavoidinjuryfromtip-over.
11. Unplugthisapparatusduringlightningstormsorwhenunusedforlongperiodsoftime.
12. Referallservicingtoqualifiedservicepersonnel.Servicingisrequiredwhentheapparatushasbeendamaged inanyway,suchaspower-supplycordorplug isdamaged, liquidhasbeenspilledorobjectshavefallenintotheapparatus,theapparatushasbeenexposedtorainormoisture,doesnotoperatenormally,orhasbeendropped.
13. Nonakedflames,suchaslightedcandles,shouldbeplacedontheapparatus.
WARNING:Excessivesoundpressurelevelsfromearphonesandheadphonescancausehearingloss.
WARNING:ThisequipmentmustonlybeconnectedtoUSB2.0-compatibleports.
CAUTION:TOREDUCETHERISKOFELECTRICSHOCK,DONOTREMOVE
COVER(ORBACK).NOUSER-SERVICEABLEPARTSINSIDE.
REFERSERVICINGTOQUALIFIEDSERVICEPERSONNEL.
The lightningflashwitharrowheadsymbol,withinequilateral triangle,isintendedtoalerttheusertothepresenceofuninsulated“dangerousvoltage”withintheproduct’senclosurethatmaybeofsufficientmagnitudetoconstituteariskofelectricshocktopersons.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to
alerttheusertothepresenceofimportantoperatingandmaintenance
(servicing)instructionsintheliteratureaccompanyingtheappliance.
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ENVIRONMENTAL DECLARATION
For USATo the User:
1. Do not modify this unit! This product, when installed as indicated in the instructions contained inthismanual,meetsFCCrequirements.ModificationsnotexpresslyapprovedbyFocusritemayvoidyourauthority,grantedbytheFCC,tousethisproduct.
2. Important:ThisproductsatisfiesFCCregulationswhenhighqualityshieldedcablesareusedtoconnectwithotherequipment.FailuretousehighqualityshieldedcablesortofollowtheinstallationinstructionswithinthismanualmaycausemagneticinterferencewithappliancessuchasradiosandtelevisionsandvoidyourFCCauthorizationtousethisproductintheUSA.
3.Note:ThisequipmenthasbeentestedandfoundtocomplywiththelimitsforaClassBdigitaldevice,pursuanttopart15oftheFCCRules.Theselimitsaredesignedtoprovidereasonableprotectionagainstharmful interference inaresidential installation.Thisequipmentgenerates,usesandcanradiateradiofrequencyenergyand, ifnot installedandused inaccordancewiththe instructions,maycauseharmfulinterferencetoradiocommunications.However,thereisnoguaranteethatinterferencewillnotoccurinaparticularinstallation.Ifthisequipmentdoescauseharmfulinterferencetoradioortelevisionreception,whichcanbedeterminedbyturningtheequipmentoffandon,theuserisencouragedtotrytocorrecttheinterferencebyoneormoreofthefollowingmeasures:
•Reorientorrelocatethereceivingantenna.
•Increasetheseparationbetweentheequipmentandreceiver.
•Connecttheequipmentintoanoutletonacircuitdifferentfromthattowhichthereceiverisconnected.
•Consultthedealeroranexperiencedradio/TVtechnicianforhelp.
Compliance Information Statement: Declaration of Compliance procedure
ProductIdentification:FocusriteForte
Responsibleparty:AmericanMusicandSound
Address:4325ExecutiveDrive
Suite300
Southhaven,MS38672
Telephone:(800)431-2609
Thisdevicecomplieswithpart15oftheFCCRules.Operationissubjecttothefollowingtwoconditions:(1)Thisdevicemaynotcauseharmful interference,and (2) this device must acceptany interference received, including interference that may cause undesiredoperation.
For Canada
To the User:
ThisClassBdigitalapparatuscomplieswithCanadianICES-003.
CetappareilnumériquedelaclasseBestconformeàlanormeNMB-003duCanada.
RoHS Notice
FocusriteAudioEngineeringLimitedhasconformedwhereapplicable,totheEuropeanUnion’sDirective2002/95/EConRestrictions
ofHazardousSubstances(RoHS)aswellasthefollowingsectionsofCalifornialawwhichrefertoRoHS,namelysections25214.10,
25214.10.2,and58012,HealthandSafetyCode;Section42475.2,PublicResourcesCode.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
ENVIRONMENTAL DECLARATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
OVERVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Features.................................................................... 5
BoxContents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Systemrequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
GETTING STARTED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7SoftwareInstallation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
ConnectingyourForte. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8InputLoom. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
USBConnection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
AudioSetupinyourDAW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
HardwareFeatures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
ExampleApplication. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Forteasarecordinginterface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
UsingDirectMonitoring. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
ConnectingFortetoloudspeakers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Using Forte Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14InputChannels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
DigitalMonitorMixer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
SavingandLoadingPresets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
RestoreFactoryDefaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Hardware Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18OLEDandModeicons........................................................ 18
InputModeMenu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
MainOutputModeMenu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
HeadphoneOutputModeMenu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
DAWModeMenu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24ForteControl–Factorydefaultsettings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
PerformanceSpecifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
PhysicalandElectricalCharacteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
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OVERVIEW
IntroductionThankyouforpurchasingtheFocusriteForte,oneofthefamilyofFocusriteprofessionalcomputeraudio interfaces incorporating high quality Focusrite analogue pre-amplifiers. You now have aprofessional,compactsolutionforroutinghighqualityaudiotoandfromyourcomputer.
This User Guide provides a detailed explanation of the hardware to help you achieve a thoroughunderstandingoftheproduct’soperationalfeatures.Werecommendthatbothuserswhoarenewtocomputerrecording,aswellasmoreexperiencedusers,takethetimetoreadthroughtheuserguidesothatyouarefullyawareofallthepossibilitiesthattheFocusriteForteandaccompanyingsoftwarehastooffer.IfthemainUserGuidesectionsdonotprovidetheinformationyouneed,besure to consult http://www.focusrite.com/answerbase, which contains a comprehensive collection ofcommontechnicalsupportqueries.
FeaturesTheFocusriteFortehardwareinterfaceprovidesthemeansforconnectingmicrophones,musicalinstrumentsorlinelevelaudiosignalstoacomputerrunningMacOSorWindows.Thesignalsatthephysicalinputscanberoutedtoyouraudiorecordingsoftware/digitalaudioworkstation(referredtothroughoutthisuserguideasthe“DAW”)atupto24-bit,192kHzresolution;similarly,theDAW’smonitororrecordedoutputwillappearattheunit’sphysicaloutputs.
Audiosources–mics,instruments,etc.-connectedtothephysicalinputscanberecordedintheDAWandthenroutedfromyourDAWtothephysicaloutputs.Forteisequippedwithfouraudiooutputchannels,whichcanbeconnectedtoanamplifierandspeakers,poweredmonitors,headphones,DJorothertypeofmixer,oranyotheraudioequipmentthatyouwishtouse.AlthoughallinputsandoutputsonFortearerouteddirectlytoandfromyourDAWforrecordingandplayback,youcanconfiguretheroutingwithinyourDAWinordertomeetyourneeds.Directmonitoringenablesyouhearwhatyouareplayingwithouttheeffectsofcomputerlatency.
ForDJs,thetwoseparateoutputsmakesitpossibletomonitorthecuemixonheadphonesviatheheadphoneoutputwhilesimultaneouslysendingthemainmixfromthespeakeroutputtothesoundsystem.
Box ContentsAlongwithyourFocusriteForteyoushouldhave:
•InputLoom•USBcable•5VDCPowerSupply(MainsAdaptor)•SoftwareDownloadcard,withcodesforaccessingthefollowingon-lineresources:
–ForteUSBDriversforMacandWindows–Multi-languageUserGuides
•“GettingStartedGuide”
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System requirementsMac OSAppleMacintoshwithaUSB2.0-compliantUSBport
OS:MacOSX10.7(Lion)or10.8(MountainLion)
WindowsWindowscompatiblecomputerwithaUSB2.0compliantUSBport
OS:Windows7orWindows8(32-or64-bit)
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GETTING STARTED
IMPORTANT:PLEASEENSURETHATYOURUNTHEINSTALLERBEFORECONNECTINGTHEFOCUSRITEFORTETOYOURCOMPUTER.
Software InstallationAllsoftwarerequiredbytheFocusriteForte isavailablefordownloadfromtheFocusritewebsitehttp://www.focusrite.com/register. The Software Activation card provided with Forte containsvalidationcodeswhichyouwillneedtoenterinthedownloadsarea.Thisprocedureensuresthatyouwillhavethemostup-to-datesoftwareversions.
Can’t get started?If you have any trouble with this product
do not go back to the place of purchase.
Contact our support team on:
US:
UK &
International:
Online:
PLACE SERIAL NUMBER STICKER HERE
1-855-24-FOCUS (1-855-243-6287)
Support available Monday - Friday 8am – 6pm (PST)
+44 1494 462246
Support available Monday - Friday 9:30am – 6pm (GMT/BST)
www.focusrite.com/support
www.novationmusic.com/support
FA0736-01
1.Usingyourusualbrowser,gotohttp://www.focusrite.com/register/.
2.Select“Forte”fromtheproductrange.
3.Whenprompted,enteryourdetailsandtheBundleCodesfromtheSoftwareActivationCardintotheappropriatefields.Followtheon-screeninstructionstoinitiatethedownloads.Savethefilestoasuitablelocationonyourcomputer.
4.Whenalldownloadsarecomplete,navigatetothesavedfilesandclickonthefilenamestostarttheinstallation.Followallon-screeninstructionscarefullyfromthispoint.
5.Whentheinstallationiscomplete,youwillbeaskedtorestartyourcomputer.
6.Afterrestart,connectFortetoyourcomputerwiththeUSBcablesupplied.
Mac OS only:YourOSshouldautomaticallyswitch thecomputer’sdefaultaudiooutputs tobe theUSBport towhichForteisconnected.Toverifythis,gotoSystem Preferences > Sound,andensurethattheinputandoutputaresettoForte.FormoredetailedsetupoptionsonaMac,openApplications > Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup.
Windows only:YourOSshouldautomaticallyswitch thecomputer’sdefaultaudiooutputs tobe theUSBport towhichForteisconnected.Toverifythis,gotoStart > Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Sound > Manage Audio Devicesandensurethat‘Default Playback’and‘Recording’aresetto‘Forte’.
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Connecting your Forte
IMPORTANT:BeforeyouconnectFortetoyourcomputer,pleasecompletethesoftwareinstallationaccordingtotheinstructionsabove.
Thiswillensurethatthehardwareusesthecorrectdriversandwillpreventunexpectedbehaviour.
Input LoomForteissuppliedwithaninputloomthatconnectstotheINPUTSportontherearoftheunit.Theloom is provided with two female XLR sockets for microphone inputs and two 3-pole (TRS) jacksocketsforlineorinstrumentinputs.
PowerFortecaneitherbepowereddirectlyfromtheUSBconnectiontoacomputerorfromthesupplied5VDC,1Apowersupply.
IMPORTANT:Thepowersupplymustbeusedif48Vphantompowerisrequired.IfForteispowereddirectlyfromtheUSBport,phantompowerwillnotbeavailable.
IMPORTANT:OperatingFortefromaUSBportwillplacetheunitin“USBLow-Powermode”.Inthismode,themaximumoutputlevelsavailablefromthemainandheadphoneoutputsare
limited.Ifhigheroutputlevelsarerequired(e.g.,forheadphones)thenusethe5VDCpowersupplyprovided.
IMPORTANT: We very strongly recommend that you only use the supplied power supply.Failure to use this power supply is likely to permanently damage the unit and will also
invalidateyourwarranty.Powersupplies for yourFocusriteproductcanbepurchased fromyourmusicdealerifyouhavelostyours.
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USB ConnectionTheFocusriteFortehasasingleUSB2.0port(ontherearpanel).Oncethesoftwareinstallationiscomplete,simplyconnectFortetoyourcomputerusingtheUSBcableprovided.(NotethatForteisaUSB2.0device,andthustheUSBconnectionrequiresaUSB2.0compatibleportonyourcomputer.ItwillnotoperatecorrectlywithUSB1.0/1.1ports).
Audio Setup in your DAWForteiscompatiblewithanyWindows-basedDAWthatsupportsASIOorWDM*andanyMac-basedDAWthatusesCoreAudio.Afterinstallingthedriversandconnectingthehardware,youcanstartusingFortewiththeDAWofyourchoice.
*Onlycompatiblewith16-bitaudiounderWDM.
Pleasenote-yourDAWmaynotautomaticallyselectForteasitsdefaultI/Odevice.Inthiscase,youmustmanuallyselect‘Forte’(onMac-basedsystems)or‘Focusrite USB2.0 Audio Driver’(onPC-basedsystems)asthedriveronyourDAW’sAudio Setup*page.PleaserefertoyourDAW’sdocumentation(orHelpfiles)ifyouareunsurewheretoselecttheASIOorCoreAudiodriver.
Once Forte is set as the preferred Audio Device* in your DAW, Inputs 1 & 2 and Outputs 1 to 4willappearinyourDAW’sAudioI/Opreferences.DependingonyourDAW,youmayneedtoenablecertaininputsoroutputsbeforeuse.
*Typicalname.TerminologymaydifferslightlybetweenDAWs.
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Hardware Features
1 6 7 8 92 534
1 . OLED screen – multi-function display providing signal level metering and various menuoptions.
2 . MODE ICONS–touch-sensitiveiconsforselectingtheForte’sprimaryoperatingmodesandmenunavigation.
3 . ROTARY CONTROL – for menu navigation and parameter control; incorporates a “push”functionforusewiththemenus.Therotarycontrolcanalsobeusedasthemaininputgainandoutputlevelcontrol.
4 . HEADPHONE SOCKET–plugyourstereoheadphonesinhere(¼”TRSjack).
5 . KENSINGTON LOCK –forsecuringyourForte.
6 . DC POWER IN –forconnectionofthesupplied5VPSUonly.Usethissocketifyouareintendingtousecapacitormicrophonesrequiringphantompower.
7 . USB PORT- USB2.0TypeBport,forconnectingyourFortetoacomputer.
8 . INPUT SOCKET –connectthesuppliedinputloomtothissocket.Notetheloomplughasalatch;ensurethattheconnectorisfullyengaged.
9 . OUTPUTS - 2x¼”TRS jacksocketsprovidingbalanced lineoutputs forconnectionyourstudiomonitoringsystem.
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Example ApplicationThe Focusrite Forte is ideal for a variety of recording and monitoring applications. A typicalconfigurationisshownbelow.
Forte as a recording interface
ThissetupillustratesthemosttypicalconfigurationforrecordingwithDAWsoftwareonyourMacorPC.Inthiscase,youmightrecordguitarthroughInput1andvocalsthroughInput2intoyourDAW,whilemonitoringtheplaybackfromtheDAWviaheadphonesorloudspeakers.
Forteissuppliedwithaninputloom,which“breaksout”themultipininputconnectortotwoXLRfemalesockets(Mic1andMic2)andtwo¼”TRSjacksockets(Line/Inst1andLine/Inst2).Youcanrecordtwoinputsatonce,andthesemaybetwomicrophones,twolineorinstrumentinputs,oroneofeach.TheXLRinputsareintendedonlyforusewithmicrophones.Allfourinputsarebalanced.
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ConnectFortetoyourcomputerwiththesuppliedUSBcableandruntheForteControlapplication.
Clicktheiconsatthetopoftheinputfaderstoselectthetypeofinputforeachchannel.
• Microphone–selectthisifyouwanttouseamicrophoneastheinputsource.Ifyouareusingacapacitor(condenser)microphone,clickthe48Vbuttontosupplyphantompowertothemic.Don’t turn this on if you’re using any other type of mic. Only use a capacitor mic if Forte ispoweredviaitsexternalPSU,notviaUSB.
• Instrument–selectthisifyouwanttoconnectaninstrument(suchasaguitar)• Line–selectthisifyouareconnectingaline-levelsource,suchasasynthmodule.
Using Direct MonitoringYouwillfrequentlyheartheterm“latency”usedinconnectionwithdigitalaudiosystems.InthecaseofthesimpleDAWrecordingapplicationdescribedabove,latencywillbethetimeittakesforyourinputsignalstopassthroughyourcomputerandaudiosoftware.Latencycanbeaproblemforaperformerwhowishestorecordwhilemonitoringtheirinputsignals.
Forteuses“DirectMonitoring”,whichovercomesthisproblem.ThisisbecauseForte’sinputshavetheirownchannelsinthetwomonitoringmixers,andForteControlwillthusrouteyourinputsignalsdirectlytotheheadphoneandmainmonitoroutputs.Thisenablesyoutohearyourselfwithnearzerolatency–i.e.,in“realtime”–alongwiththeDAWplayback.Theinputsignalstoyourcomputerarenotaffectedinanywaybythissetting.See“UsingForteControl”onpage14formoreinformation.
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Connecting Forte to loudspeakersForte has two stereo outputs, one for headphones at the front of the controller, the other forconnectiontoastudiomonitoringsystemormixingconsole.Youcanuseeitherorbothofthese,andderiveseparatemixesofinputsandDAWoutputsforeach.ThemixesaredefinedinForteControl.
Forte’srearoutputsmaybeusedtoconnectmonitoringspeakers.Theseareprovidedinvariable-level, electronically balanced form on ¼” (6.35 mm) 3-pole (TRS) jacks. Active monitors (i.e.,modernstudiomonitorspeakers)incorporateinternalamplifierswithavolumecontrol,andmaybeconnecteddirectly.Passiveloudspeakerswillrequireaseparatestereoamplifier;inthiscase,theoutputsshouldbeconnectedtotheamplifier’sinputs.
JACK − PHONO
TRS JACK
POWEREDMONITORS
PASSIVE MONITORS
Typicalconsumer(hi-fi)amplifiersandsmallpoweredmonitorswillhaveunbalancedinputs,eitheronphono(RCA)sockets,orviaa3.5mm3-polejackplugintendedfordirectconnectiontoacomputer.Ineithercase,useasuitableconnectingcablewith¼”TS(2-pole)jacksatoneend.
Professionalpoweramplifierswillgenerallyhavebalanced inputs (eitheron3-pinXLRor3-pole(TRS)¼”(6.35mm)jacksockets);useasuitabletwin-and-screencabletoconnectthemtothemainoutputsofForte.
Theamplifier (eitheractivespeakersorseparates/hi-fi) isset togivethepreferredvolumelevel.Onceset,theForteknobisthemeanstocontrolvolumelevel.
NOTE:Youruntheriskofcreatinganaudiofeedbackloopifloudspeakersareactiveatthesametimeasamicrophone!Werecommendthatyoualwaysturnoff(orturndown)monitoringloudspeakerswhilerecording,anduseheadphoneswhenoverdubbing.
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Using Forte ControlForteControlistheapplicationthatletsyoucontrolallofForte’sfeaturesfromasingle,convenientGUI.
2
3
1 19 1914
9
5 6 715
48 10
11 12 131617
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Input Channels1. Input Select–selectmic,instrumentorlinesettingforeachofthetwoinputs.
2. 48V–applies48Vphantompowertothemicinputsonly(XLRs),providedthatForteispoweredbythesuppliedexternalPSU.
3. Signal level – each input channel has a bargraph meter to indicate relative signal levels,withanumericalreadoutofinstantaneouspeaklevelatthetopofthemeter.Thebargraphsegmentcorrespondingtopeaklevelwillstaylitfor1second(timeisuser-adjustable,see“Settings”onpage16).Thetopsegmentsofthemeterarecolouredred,andsignallevelsthishighshouldbeavoided.Thetopofthescalecorrespondsto0dBFS,anddigitalclippingisindicatedbytheredsegmentsofthebargraphilluminatingandthenumericalfielddisplayingOVRfor1second(timeisuser-adjustable,see“Settings”onpage16).
4. Input gain–arotarycontroloperatedbythemouse.ThisparametermayalsobecontrolledfromtheFortehardwarecontroller.
5. Hi-pass filter[ ]–aswitchablehi-passfilterisincluded;whenincircuititreducestheLFresponsebelow75Hz,withan12dB/octaveslope.ThisparametermayalsobecontrolledfromtheFortehardwarecontroller.
6. Pad–a10dBpadmaybeinsertedineachchanneltoreducesensitivityontheMicinput.ThisparametermayalsobecontrolledfromtheFortehardwarecontroller.
7. Phase reverse[ ]–availableonallinputsources.Invertsthephaseofthesignalintheinputchannel.ThisparametermayalsobecontrolledfromtheFortehardwarecontroller.
8. Channel linking-theinputchannelsmaybelinked–e.g.,forconvenienceofhandlingstereosources.Gain,phasereverse,hi-passfilterandpadfunctionsbecomecommon.AnyoffsetingainbetweenthetwochannelswhenChannelLinkisselectedwillberetained.ThisparametermayalsobecontrolledfromtheFortehardwarecontroller.
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OutputsThetwostereooutputchannelsareidentical;theleft-handonecontrolstherearpanelmainoutputsandtheright-handthefrontpanelheadphonesoutput.
Note:PoweringForteviatheUSBportwillplacetheunitin“USBLow-Powermode”.Inthismode,themaximumoutputlevelsavailablefromthemainandheadphoneoutputsarelimited.Ifhigheroutputlevelsarerequired(e.g.,forheadphones)thenusethe5VDCpowersupplyprovided.
9. Signal level-theoutputmetersareidenticaltothoseusedforinputsignalmetering.
10. Output level–rotarycontrolsadjustedwiththemouse.Double-clickingthecontrolssetsafixedoutputlevelof-30dBFS.ThisparametermayalsobecontrolledfromtheFortehardwarecontroller.NotethatifpoweredbyUSBthemaximumoutputlevelislimitedto-18dBFS.
11. Dim–reducestheoutput levelby12dB.ThisparametermayalsobecontrolledfromtheFortehardwarecontroller.
12. Mute – mutes the output channel. This parameter may also be controlled from the Fortehardwarecontroller.
13. Mono–eachoutputcanbereconfiguredasanL+Rmonosum.ThisparametermayalsobecontrolledfromtheFortehardwarecontroller.
Digital Monitor MixerTheSpeakerMixandHeadphoneMixsectionsofForteControlareidentical;usethetabsatthetoptoselectoneortheother.Eachmixerhassixinputchannels:twofromtheinputchannels,andfourfromtheDAWoutputs.Thesixchannelsarearrangedinthreepairs,andthefeaturesofeachpairareidentical,thusonlyoneisdescribedbelow.Themixerscontroltheaudiomixwhichisfedtotheoutputs,andhavenoeffectonthesignalsbeingsenttotheDAWforrecording.
Clickingonthe tabatthetopoftheDigitalMonitorMixeropensablockdiagramclarifyinghowthesourcesanddestinationsareroutedtoandfromtheForte,andwhichsectionoftheGUIcontrolswhat.Clickthe tabasecondtimetoreturntothemainGUIscreen.
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14. Channel faders–controltheamountoftherelevantsignal(inputorDAWoutputpair)intheoutputmix.Notethatdouble-clickingthefaderssetsthemto0dB.
15. Signal level-themonitormixerchannelmetersareidenticaltothoseusedforinputsignalmetering.
16. Mutes–eachofthesixinputscanbeindividuallymutedwiththered‘M’button.
17. Solos–eachofthesixinputsmaybeindividuallysoloedwiththegreen‘S’button.Soloingachannelhastheeffectofmutingallotherchannels,sothatonlytheselectedchannelisheard.Morethanonechannelmaybesoloedifwished.NotethatsoloingamixerchanneldoesnotstopanyinputsignalsfrombeingfedtotheDAW.
18. Stereo linking – the two channels in each pair may be linked for stereo operation. Thiscommonsthefunctionsofgain,muteandsolo.
19. Pan controls–itispossibletopositionthesignalinanyofthesixchannelsanywhereinthestereoimage.WhenStereolinkingisOn,thepancontrolsbecomestereobalancecontrols.
SettingsClickingonFile > SettingsopenstheSettingswindow,wherecertainglobalparameterscanbeadjusted.Theseare:• Meter Clip Hold–thissetsthetimethattheupper(red)sectionofthebargraphmetersremains
illuminatedafterthesignallevelreachesdigitalclipping.TheOVR indicationatthetopofthemetersisalsoaffectedbythisparameter.Thefactorydefaultvalueis1second.
• Meter Peak Hold – this sets the time for which the highest single meter segment remainsilluminated,givingaclearerindicationofpeaklevels.Thefactorydefaultvalueis1second.
• Sample Rate–audiosamplingratesof44.1,48,88.2,96,176.4or192kHzmaybeselected.Thefactorydefaultvalueis48kHz.
• Buffer size(Windowsonly)–audiodatatransferbetweenForteandyourDAWovertheUSBlinkmaybesubjecttodelays,dependingonthecomputer’sprocessorspeedandworkload.Forthisreason,thedataisbufferedintheFortesothatnoneislost.Audibleaudioglitchesmaybeanindicationthatthebuffersizeistoosmall.Thebuffersizeshouldbesettothelowestvaluethatdoesnotproduceanyunwantedaudioartefacts.Thevaluemaybeadjustedintherange0–20ms;thefactorydefaultvalueis10ms.BuffersizeforMaccanbeaccessedfromwithintheDAW.
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Saving and Loading PresetsIfyouwant,youcanstoreallthemixerparametersasapresetandreloaditatalatertime.Youcanstoreasmanypresetsasyouwish.ClickonFile > Save As…toopenastandardSave As(Windows)orSave a snapshot file(Mac)dialoguebox.NavigatetoasuitablelocationandSaveintheusualmanner.ThePresetfileshavethefilenameextension*.forte.
Loadingapreviously-savedPresetisthereverseprocedure;clickonFile > Open,navigatetotherequiredfileandclickOpen.
Restore Factory DefaultsClickingonFile>RestoreFactoryDefaultsresetsallForteControlparameterstodefaultvalues.Thissetstheinputlevelsatminimum,outputlevelsat-30dBFSandallDigitalMonitorMixerlevelsatunitygain.See“Appendix”onpage24forfulllistoffactorydefaultsettings.
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Hardware OperationManyofForte’smainoperatingfeaturesmayalsobecontrolledfromthehardwarecontrolleritself.Therotarycontrol,colourOLEDdisplayandtouchiconsprovideasimpleinterfacewhichdoesnotrequirecontinuousaccesstotheon-screenForteControlapplication.
ThedefaultdisplayontheOLEDisabargraphrepresentation,withinputchannelsontheleft,mainoutputsinthecentreandheadphonesoutputontheright.
Selectinganyofthethreemainmodesviathetouchicons–Input,MainandHeadphones-causethebargraphdisplaytotemporarilycompresstoshowadditionaltextualinformation:withacompresseddisplay,thetwowidebargraphsarealwaysthoseshowingthesignallevelrelevanttotheselectedMode;i.e., ifyouselectMainOutputMode,theinputsandHeadphoneoutputswillcontinuetoberepresented,butasthinbargraphsatthesidesofthedisplay.
OLED and Mode icons
1
2 3 4 5
1. OLED–colourmulti-functiondisplay,showingmeteringandtextualinformation,dependingonuseractions.
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2. Input Mode –givesyoucontrolofinputfunctions.AshorttouchwillallowInput1Gaintobeadjustedwiththerotarycontrol,whileasecondshorttouchwillswitchcontroltoInput2. (Inputs 1 and 2 “toggle” with successive short touches.) A “long” touch opens a menu,offering additional input-related functions (see “Input Mode Menu” on page 21), but notethatInput1’soptionswillbepresentedifInput1’sgainwasthelasttobeaccessed,andInput2’soptionsifInput2’sgainwaslastaccessed.
InputControls
NotethatiftheinputloomisnotconnectedtotheForte,anerrormessagewillbedisplayed:
3. Main Output Mode –givesyoucontrolofmainoutputfunctions.AshorttouchwillallowMainOutputLeveltobeadjustedwiththerotarycontrol.A“long”touchopensamenu,offeringadditionaloutput-relatedfunctions(see“MainOutputModeMenu”onpage22).
MainOutputControls
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4. Headphones Mode -givesyoucontrolofheadphonefunctions.Ashorttouchwillallowtheheadphonesvolumetobeadjustedwiththerotarycontrol.A“long”touchopensamenu,offeringadditionalheadphone-relatedfunctions.
HeadphoneControls
5. DAW Mode –letsyousendcommandsfromtheFortecontrollertoyourDAWtocontrolcertainfunctions.DefaultcommandsarePLAYandHorizontalzoom,butthesemaybere-defined.KeyboardshortcutsmustbeenabledinyourDAWforthismodetowork.See“DAWModeMenu”onpage23.
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Input Mode MenuSevenmenuoptionsperinputareavailable;usetherotarycontroltohighlighttherequiredoption,andpresstherotarycontroltochangethestate(alloptionsexceptTYPEare“switch”functions).
InputModeMenu
TYPE–selectsMic,LineorInstasthesourceforthecurrentlyselectedinput(1or2).
48V–duplicatesthefunctionoftheon-screen48VbuttoninForteControl.Notethatthisoptionis“greyed-out” ifForte isbeingpoweredvia theUSBconnection;anexternalPSU isnecessary forphantompower.
HPF-duplicatesthefunctionoftheon-screen button.
PHASE REV-duplicatesthefunctionoftheon-screen button.
PAD-duplicatesthefunctionoftheon-screenPadbutton.
LINK–thisduplicatesthefunctionoftheon-screenLinkbuttonfortheinputchannels.
CLEAR METER & EXIT-thisreturnstheFortedisplaytotheinitialgain/meteringpage,andclearsany“held”bargraphmetersegmentsonboththeForteOLEDandtheForteControlGUI.
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Main Output Mode MenuFourmenuoptionsareavailable;usetherotarycontroltohighlighttherequiredoption,andpresstherotarycontroltochangethestate(alloptionsare“switch”functions).
MainOuputMenu
MUTE-duplicatesthefunctionoftheon-screenMutebuttonforthemainoutputchannelinForteControl.
DIM-duplicatesthefunctionoftheon-screenDimbuttonforthemainoutputchannel.
MONO–thisduplicatesthefunctionoftheon-screenMonobuttonforthemainoutputchannel.
CLEAR METER & EXIT-thisreturnstheFortedisplaytotheinitialgain/meteringpage,andclearsany“held”bargraphmetersegments.
Headphone Output Mode Menu
HeadphoneMenu
ThismenuoperatesinanidenticalmannertotheMainOutputModeMenu.
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DAW Mode MenuDAWModeletsyouusetheForteencodertocontrolvariousfunctionsofyourDAW.
TouseDAWControlMode,firstlaunchyourDAWapplication;ensurethattheapplicationisfocused(i.e.,theDAWisthe“active”window).SelecttheDAWControlIconontheFortecontroller.NotethatDAWControlModewillnotoperateunlessyourDAWistheactivewindow(infocus)andtheDAWiconontheForteControllerislit.
ThedefaultcommandssentinDAWControlModeare:
• PLAY/STOP(Press)• HORIZONTALZOOM(Rotate)
However, it ispossible toaccessadditionalcommands to thePressandRotate functions.To re-assigncommands,proceedasfollows:
1. PressandholdtheDAWIconontheFortehardware(i.e.,a“long”touch)toentertheModeMenu.TheOLEDwillshow2columns,oneforRotateandoneforPress.
2. Usethecontrolknobtoscrollthroughtheavailableoptionsinthefirstcolumn.
3. Selecttherequiredoptionbypressingthecontrolknob.Thecursornowmovestothesecondcolumn,wheretheproceduremayberepeated.
4. PresstheDAWiconagaintoleavethemenu.
5. ThealternativeDAWcommandswillnowbeavailableforuse.
Note-ForDAWControlModetofunctioncorrectly,pleaseensureyourDAW’sKeyboardShortcutsareenabled.
IfnoDAWisdetected,anerrormessagewillbedisplayed:
ForafulllistofsupportedDAWsandthecommandsavailablewitheach,pleasesee:www.focusrite.com/downloads?product=forte.
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Appendix
Forte Control – Factory default settings
Input channels 1 & 2
Source Line
Gain 0dB
48V Off
HPF Off
Pad Off
Phase Normal
Stereolink Off
Output channels – main and headphones
Level -30dB
Dim Off
Mute Unmuted
Mono Off
Digital Monitor Mixer – Speaker Mix and Headphone Mix
Inputs1&2levels 0dB
DAW1-4levels 0dB
Panning Centre
Mutes Unmuted
Solos Off
Stereolink Inputs–Off;DAW1&2andDAW3&4-On
Performance Specifications
RealWorldADCDynamicRange 117dB(A-weighted)
RealWorldDACDynamicRange 118dB(A-weighted)
ChipsetADC/DACDNR 120dB(A-weighted)
Microphone Inputs
Type RedNetremotecontrolledpre-amplifier;electronicallybalanced,Zin~1.3kohms
GainRange 0to+75dB
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MaximumInputLevelfor0dBFS +12±0.5dBuatminimumgain;Rs=150ohms,padoff
MinimumInputLevelfor0dBFS -63±0.5dBuatmaximumgain;Rs=150ohms,padoff
Signal-to-Noiseratio 117dB(A-weighted;Rs=150ohms)
FrequencyResponse 50Hzto42kHz±0.1dB;-0.5dB@20Hz.(Rs=150ohms)
THD+N@-1dBFS 0.0007%(@1kHz,+11dBuinput,min.gain,20Hz–22kHz)
Padattenuation 10dB
NoiseEIN -128dBu(60dBgain,Rs=150ohms,20Hz–22kHz)
Phantompower 48V;onlywithexternalPSU,switchableperchannel
Line Inputs
GainRange -12to+42dB
MaximumInputLevelfor0dBFS +20±0.5dBuatminimumgain;padoff
MinimumInputLevelfor0dBFS -34±0.5dBuatmaximumgain;padoff
Signal-to-Noiseratio 116dB(A-weighted)
FrequencyResponse 20Hzto20kHz±0.2dB
THD+N@-1dBFS <0.003%(@1kHz,+19dBuinput,min.gain,20Hz–22kHz)
Instrument Inputs
GainRange +14to+68dB
MaximumInputLevelfor0dBFS +10±0.5dBuatminimumgain
MinimumInputLevelfor0dBFS -44±0.5dBuatmaximumgain
Signal-to-Noiseratio 111dB(A-weighted)
FrequencyResponse 20Hzto20kHz±0.2dB
THD+N@-1dBFS <0.003%(@1kHz,+9dBuinput,min.gain,20Hz–22kHz)
Analogue High-pass filters
Control Switchableper-channel
Response 12dB/oct;-6dB@65±3Hz
Main Outputs
Type Electronicallybalanced
FrequencyResponse 20Hzto20kHz±0.1dB
Signal-to-Noiseratio 118dB(A-weighted)*
THD+N@-1dBFS <0.0008%(@1kHz,20Hz–22kHz)
MaximumOutputLevel +16±0.5dBu*
Headphone Outputs
FrequencyResponse 20Hzto20kHz±0.1dB
Signal-to-Noiseratio 116dB(A-weighted)*
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THD+N@-1dBFS <0.0008%(@1kHz,20Hz–22kHz,10kohmsload)
MaximumOutputinto10kohms +9dBu(+7dBV)*
MaximumPowerinto150ohms 30mW
MaximumPowerinto32ohms 27mW
OutputImpedance <8ohms
SuitableloadImpedance >32ohms
Crosstalk
InputtoInput >-90dB
OutputtoOutput >-90dB
InputtoOutput >-90dB
Additional DSP performance
Clockjitter <250ps
Supportedsamplerates 44.1,48,88.2,96,176.4,192kHz
*NOTE-with5VDCexternalpowersupply
Physical and Electrical Characteristics
Analogue Inputs
Connectors 2xXLR3F(mic);2xTRS¼”jack(line/inst)
Mic/Line/Instswitching viasoftware
Analogue Outputs
Mainoutputs 2x¼”TRSjacks;electronicallybalanced
Headphoneoutputs 1x¼”TRSjack;stereoheadphone
Other I/O
USB 1xUSB2.0TypeBconnector
ExtDCin 5V@1A(viasuppliedPSUonly)
Weight and Dimensions
WxHxD 115x345x171mm(withoutconnectors)
Weight Approx487g
TroubleshootingForalltroubleshootingqueries,pleasevisittheFocusriteAnswerbaseathttp://www.focusrite.com/answerbase where you will find articles covering numerous trouble-shootingexamples.
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