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.

3

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.

4

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

5

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”

6

System requirementsMac OSAppleMacintoshwithaUSB2.0-compliantUSBport

OS:MacOSX10.7(Lion)or10.8(MountainLion)

WindowsWindowscompatiblecomputerwithaUSB2.0compliantUSBport

OS:Windows7orWindows8(32-or64-bit)

7

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’.

8

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.

9

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.

10

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.

11

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.

12

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.

13

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.

14

Using Forte ControlForteControlistheapplicationthatletsyoucontrolallofForte’sfeaturesfromasingle,convenientGUI.

2

3

1 19 1914

9

5 6 715

48 10

11 12 131617

18

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.

15

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.

16

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.

17

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.

18

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.

19

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

20

4. Headphones Mode -givesyoucontrolofheadphonefunctions.Ashorttouchwillallowtheheadphonesvolumetobeadjustedwiththerotarycontrol.A“long”touchopensamenu,offeringadditionalheadphone-relatedfunctions.

HeadphoneControls

5. DAW Mode –letsyousendcommandsfromtheFortecontrollertoyourDAWtocontrolcertainfunctions.DefaultcommandsarePLAYandHorizontalzoom,butthesemaybere-defined.KeyboardshortcutsmustbeenabledinyourDAWforthismodetowork.See“DAWModeMenu”onpage23.

21

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.

22

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.

23

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.

24

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

25

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)*

26

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.

27

28