Focusrite FORTE Premium USB Audio Interface
Focusrite FORTE Premium USB Audio Interface
The Focusrite Forte, one of the family of Focusrite professional computer audio interfaces incorporating high quality Focusrite analogue pre-amplifiers. You now have a professional, compact solution for routing high quality audio to and from your computer.The Focusrite Forte hardware interface provides the means for connecting microphones, musical instruments or line level audio signals to a computer running Mac OS or Windows. The signals at the physical inputs can be routed to your audio recording software / digital audio workstation (referred to throughout this user guide as the “DAW”) at up to 24-bit, 192 kHz resolution; similarly, the DAW’s monitor or recorded output will appear at the unit’s physical outputs.
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 in “USB low power” mode: Forte can be bus powered retaining all functionality and full input performance. However, an included power supply increases the available output volume to headphones/line outputs and delivers +48V phantom power to your microphone.
- Mac and Windows compatible: Focusrite recognizes 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
Specifications:
- Performance Specifications:
- Real World ADC Dynamic Range: 117 dB (A-weighted)
- Real World DAC Dynamic Range: 118 dB (A-weighted)
- Chipset ADC/DAC DNR: 120 dB (A-weighted)
- Microphone Inputs:
- Type: RedNet remote controlled pre-amplifier; electronically balanced, Zin ~1.3k ohms
- Gain Range: 0 to +75 dB
- Maximum Input Level for 0 dBFS: +12 ± 0.5 dBu at minimum gain; Rs = 150 ohms, pad off
- Minimum Input Level for 0 dBFS: -63 ± 0.5 dBu at maximum gain; Rs = 150 ohms, pad off
- Signal-to-Noise ratio: 117 dB (A-weighted; Rs = 150 ohms)
- Frequency Response: 50 Hz to 42 kHz ±0.1 dB; -0.5 dB @ 20 Hz. (Rs = 150 ohms)
- THD+N @ -1 dBFS: 0.0007% (@ 1 kHz, +11 dBu input, min. gain, 20 Hz – 22 kHz)
- Pad attenuation: 10 dB
- Noise EIN: -128 dBu (60 dB gain, Rs = 150 ohms, 20 Hz – 22 kHz)
- Phantom power: 48 V; only with external PSU, switchable per channel
- Line Inputs:
- Gain Range: -12 to +42 dB
- Maximum Input Level for 0 dBFS: +20 ± 0.5 dBu at minimum gain; pad off
- Minimum Input Level for 0 dBFS: -34 ± 0.5 dBu at maximum gain; pad off
- Signal-to-Noise ratio :116 dB (A-weighted)
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.2 dB
- THD+N @ -1 dBFS: <0.003% (@ 1 kHz, +19 dBu input, min. gain, 20 Hz – 22 kHz)
- Instrument Inputs:
- Gain Range: +14 to +68 dB
- Maximum Input Level for 0 dBFS: +10 ± 0.5 dBu at minimum gain
- Minimum Input Level for 0 dBFS: -44 ± 0.5 dBu at maximum gain
- Signal-to-Noise ratio: 111 dB (A-weighted)
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.2 dB
- THD+N @ -1 dBFS: <0.003% (@ 1 kHz, +9 dBu input, min. gain, 20 Hz – 22 kHz) +20 ± 0.5 dBu at minimum gain; pad off
- Analogue High-pass filters:
- Control: Switchable per-channel
- Response: 12 dB/oct; -6 dB @ 65 ± 3 Hz
- Main Outputs:
- Type: Electronically balanced
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz ± 0.1 dB
- Signal-to-Noise ratio: 118 dB (A-weighted)
- THD + N @ -1 dBFS: <0.0008% (@ 1 kHz, 20 Hz – 22 kHz)
- Maximum Output Level: +16 ±0.5 dBu
- Headphone Outputs:
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz ± 0.1 dB
- Signal-to-Noise ratio: 116 dB (A-weighted)
- THD + N @ -1 dBFS: <0.0008% (@ 1 kHz, 20 Hz – 22 kHz, 10k ohms load)
- Maximum Output into 10 k ohms: +9 dBu (+7 dBV)
- Maximum Power into 150 ohms: 30 mW
- Maximum Power into 32 ohms: 27 mW
- Output Impedance: <8 ohms
- Suitable load Impedance: >32 ohms
- Crosstalk:
- Input to Input: >-90 dB
- Output to Output: >-90 dB
- Input to Output: >-90 dB
- Additional DSP performance:
- Clock jitter: <250 ps
- Supported sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz
- Physical and Electrical Characteristics:
- Analogue Inputs:
- Connectors: 2 x XLR3F (mic); 2 x TRS ¼” jack (line/inst)
- Mic/Line/Inst switching: via software
- Analogue Outputs:
- Main outputs: 2 x ¼” TRS jacks; electronically balanced
- Headphone outputs: 1 x ¼” TRS jack; stereo headphone
- Other I/O:
- USB: 1 x USB 2.0 Type B connector
- Ext DC in: 5 V @ 1 A (via supplied PSU only)
- Weight and Dimensions:
- W x H x D: 115 x 345 x 171 mm (without connectors)
- Weight: Approx 487 g
- Analogue Inputs:
