Forte User Guideeng

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User Guide

www.focusrite.com


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2

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

1. 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(includingampliers)thatproduceheat.

7. Donotdefeatthesafetypurposeofthepolarizedorgrounding-typeplug.Apolarizedplughastwobladeswithonewiderthantheother.Agroundingtypeplughastwobladesandathirdgroundingprong.Thewidebladeorthethirdprongareprovidedforyoursafety.Iftheprovidedplugdoesnottintoyouroutlet,consultanelectricianforreplacementoftheobsoleteoutlet.

8. Protectthepowercordfrombeingwalkedonorpinchedparticularlyatplugs,conveniencereceptacles,andthepointwheretheyexitfromtheapparatus.

9. Onlyuseattachments/accessoriesspeciedbythemanufacturer.

10. Useonlywiththecart,stand,tripod,bracket,ortablespeciedbythemanufacturer,orsoldwiththeapparatus.Whenacartisused,usecautionwhenmovingthecart/apparatuscombinationtoavoidinjuryfromtip-over.

11. Unplugthisapparatusduringlightningstormsorwhenunusedforlongperiodsoftime.

12. Referallservicingtoqualiedservicepersonnel.Servicingisrequiredwhentheapparatushasbeendamagedinanyway,suchaspower-supplycordorplugisdamaged,liquidhasbeenspilledorobjectshavefallenintotheapparatus,theapparatushasbeenexposedtorain

ormoisture,doesnotoperatenormally,orhasbeendropped.13. Nonakedames,suchaslightedcandles,shouldbeplacedontheapparatus.

WARNING:Excessivesoundpressurelevelsfromearphonesandheadphonescancausehearingloss.

WARNING:ThisequipmentmustonlybeconnectedtoUSB2.0-compatibleports.

CAUTION:TOREDUCETHERISKOFELECTRICSHOCK,DONOTREMOVE

COVER(ORBACK).NOUSER-SERVICEABLEPARTSINSIDE.

REFERSERVICINGTOQUALIFIEDSERVICEPERSONNEL.

Thelightning ashwitharrowheadsymbol,withinequilateraltriangle,

isintendedtoalerttheusertothepresenceofuninsulateddangerous

voltagewithintheproductsenclosurethatmaybeofsufcientmagnitude

toconstituteariskofelectricshocktopersons.

The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to

alerttheusertothepresenceofimportantoperatingandmaintenance

(servicing)instructionsintheliteratureaccompanyingtheappliance.


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3

ENVIRONMENTAL DECLARATION

For USA

To the User:

1. Do not modify this unit! This product, when installed as indicated in the instructions contained inthismanual,meetsFCCrequirements.ModicationsnotexpresslyapprovedbyFocusritemayvoidyour

authority,grantedbytheFCC,tousethisproduct.

2. Important:ThisproductsatisesFCCregulationswhenhighqualityshieldedcablesareusedtoconnect

withotherequipment.Failuretousehighqualityshieldedcablesortofollowtheinstallationinstructionswithinthismanualmaycausemagneticinterferencewithappliancessuchasradiosandtelevisionsand

voidyourFCCauthorizationtousethisproductintheUSA.

3.Note:ThisequipmenthasbeentestedandfoundtocomplywiththelimitsforaClassBdigitaldevice,

pursuanttopart15oftheFCCRules.Theselimitsaredesignedtoprovidereasonableprotectionagainstharmfulinterferenceinaresidential installation. This equipmentgenerates,usesand canradiateradio

frequencyenergyand, ifnot installedandusedinaccordancewith theinstructions,may causeharmfulinterferencetoradiocommunications.However,thereisnoguaranteethatinterferencewillnotoccurina

particularinstallation.Ifthisequipmentdoescauseharmfulinterferencetoradioortelevisionreception,whichcanbedeterminedbyturningtheequipmentoffandon,theuserisencouragedtotrytocorrectthe

interferencebyoneormoreofthefollowingmeasures:

Reorientorrelocatethereceivingantenna.

Increasetheseparationbetweentheequipmentandreceiver.

Connecttheequipmentintoanoutletonacircuitdifferentfromthattowhichthereceiverisconnected.

Consultthedealeroranexperiencedradio/TVtechnicianforhelp.

Compliance Information Statement: Declaration of Compliance procedure

ProductIdentication:FocusriteForte

Responsibleparty:AmericanMusicandSound

Address:4325ExecutiveDrive

Suite300

Southhaven,MS38672

Telephone:(800)431-2609

Thisdevicecomplieswithpart15oftheFCCRules.Operationissubjecttothefollowingtwoconditions:(1)Thisdevicemaynotcauseharmfulinterference, and(2) thisdevicemustacceptany interferencereceived,including interferencethatmay cause undesiredoperation.

For Canada

To the User:

ThisClassBdigitalapparatuscomplieswithCanadianICES-003.

CetappareilnumriquedelaclasseBestconformelanormeNMB-003duCanada.

RoHS Notice

FocusriteAudioEngineeringLimitedhasconformedwhereapplicable,totheEuropeanUnionsDirective2002/95/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 5

Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Features.................................................................... 5

BoxContents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Systemrequirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

GETTING STARTED 7

SoftwareInstallation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

ConnectingyourForte. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

InputLoom. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

USBConnection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

AudioSetupinyourDAW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

HardwareFeatures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

ExampleApplication. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Forteasarecordinginterface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

UsingDirectMonitoring. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

ConnectingFortetoloudspeakers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Using Forte Control 14InputChannels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Outputs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

DigitalMonitorMixer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

SavingandLoadingPresets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

RestoreFactoryDefaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Hardware Operation 18

OLEDandModeicons........................................................ 18

InputModeMenu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21MainOutputModeMenu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

HeadphoneOutputModeMenu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

DAWModeMenu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Appendix 24

ForteControlFactorydefaultsettings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

PerformanceSpecications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

PhysicalandElectricalCharacteristics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26


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OVERVIEW

IntroductionThankyouforpurchasingtheFocusriteForte,oneofthefamilyofFocusriteprofessionalcomputer

audio interfaces incorporating high quality Focusrite analogue pre-ampliers. You now have aprofessional,compactsolutionforroutinghighqualityaudiotoandfromyourcomputer.

ThisUserGuideprovidesadetailedexplanationofthehardwaretohelpyouachieveathoroughunderstandingoftheproductsoperationalfeatures.Werecommendthatbothuserswhoarenewtocomputerrecording,aswellasmoreexperiencedusers,takethetimetoreadthroughtheuserguidesothatyouarefullyawareofallthepossibilitiesthattheFocusriteForteandaccompanyingsoftwarehastooffer.IfthemainUserGuidesectionsdonotprovidetheinformationyouneed,besure to consulthttp://www.focusrite.com/answerbase, which contains a comprehensivecollectionofcommontechnicalsupportqueries.

FeaturesTheFocusriteFortehardwareinterfaceprovidesthemeansforconnectingmicrophones,musicalinstrumentsorlinelevelaudiosignalstoacomputerrunningMacOSorWindows.Thesignalsatthephysicalinputscanberoutedtoyouraudiorecordingsoftware/digitalaudioworkstation(referredtothroughoutthisuserguideastheDAW)atupto24-bit,192kHzresolution;similarly,theDAWsmonitororrecordedoutputwillappearattheunitsphysicaloutputs.

Audiosourcesmics,instruments,etc.-connectedtothephysicalinputscanberecordedintheDAWandthenroutedfromyourDAWtothephysicaloutputs.Forteisequippedwithfouraudiooutputchannels,whichcanbeconnectedtoan amplierandspeakers,poweredmonitors,headphones,

DJorothertypeofmixer,oranyotheraudioequipmentthatyouwishtouse.AlthoughallinputsandoutputsonFortearerouteddirectlytoandfromyourDAWforrecordingandplayback,youcanconguretheroutingwithinyourDAWinordertomeetyourneeds.Directmonitoringenablesyouhearwhatyouareplayingwithouttheeffectsofcomputerlatency.

ForDJs,thetwoseparateoutputsmakesitpossibletomonitorthecuemixonheadphonesviatheheadphoneoutputwhilesimultaneouslysendingthemainmixfromthespeakeroutputtothesoundsystem.

Box Contents

AlongwithyourFocusriteForteyoushouldhave:InputLoomUSBcable5VDCPowerSupply(MainsAdaptor)SoftwareDownloadcard,withcodesforaccessingthefollowingon-lineresources:

ForteUSBDriversforMacandWindowsMulti-languageUserGuides

GettingStartedGuide


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System requirementsMac OS

AppleMacintoshwithaUSB2.0-compliantUSBportOS:MacOSX10.7(Lion)or10.8(MountainLion)

WindowsWindowscompatiblecomputerwithaUSB2.0compliantUSBport

OS:Windows7orWindows8(32-or64-bit)


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GETTING STARTED

IMPORTANT:PLEASEENSURETHATYOURUNTHEINSTALLER

BEFORECONNECTINGTHEFOCUSRITEFORTETOYOURCOMPUTER.

Software InstallationAllsoftwarerequiredbytheFocusriteForteisavailablefordownloadfromtheFocusritewebsitehttp://www.focusrite.com/register. The Software Activation card provided with Forte containsvalidationcodeswhichyouwillneedtoenterinthedownloadsarea.Thisprocedureensuresthatyouwillhavethemostup-to-datesoftwareversions.

Cant 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)

SupportavailableMonday- Friday8am6pm (PST)

+44 1494 462246

SupportavailableMonday- Friday9:30am6pm (GMT/BST)

www.focusrite.com/support

www.novationmusic.com/support

FA0736-01

1.Usingyourusualbrowser,goto http://www.focusrite.com/register/.

2.SelectFortefromtheproductrange.

3.Whenprompted,enteryourdetailsandtheBundleCodesfromtheSoftwareActivationCardintotheappropriateelds.Followtheon-screeninstructionstoinitiatethedownloads.Savethelestoasuitablelocationonyourcomputer.

4.Whenalldownloadsarecomplete,navigatetothesavedlesandclickonthelenamestostarttheinstallation.Followallon-screeninstructionscarefullyfromthispoint.

5.Whentheinstallationiscomplete,youwillbeaskedtorestartyourcomputer.

6.Afterrestart,connectFortetoyourcomputerwiththeUSBcablesupplied.

Mac OS only:

YourOSshouldautomaticallyswitchthecomputersdefaultaudiooutputstobetheUSBporttowhichForteisconnected.Toverifythis,gotoSystem Preferences > Sound,andensurethattheinputandoutputaresettoForte.FormoredetailedsetupoptionsonaMac,openApplications >Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup.

Windows only:

YourOSshouldautomaticallyswitchthecomputersdefaultaudiooutputstobetheUSBporttowhichForteisconnected.Toverifythis,gotoStart > Control Panel > Hardware and Sound >Sound > Manage Audio DevicesandensurethatDefault PlaybackandRecordingaresetto

Forte.
http://www.focusrite.com/register/http://www.focusrite.com/register/


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Connecting your Forte

IMPORTANT:BeforeyouconnectFortetoyourcomputer,please

completethesoftwareinstallationaccordingtotheinstructionsabove.

Thiswillensurethatthehardwareusesthecorrectdriversandwill

preventunexpectedbehaviour.

Input Loom

Forteissuppliedwithaninputloomthatconnectstothe INPUTSportontherearoftheunit.TheloomisprovidedwithtwofemaleXLRsocketsformicrophoneinputsandtwo3-pole(TRS)jacksocketsforlineorinstrumentinputs.

PowerFortecaneitherbepowereddirectlyfromtheUSBconnectiontoacomputerorfromthesupplied5VDC,1Apowersupply.

IMPORTANT:Thepowersupplymustbeusedif48Vphantompowerisrequired.IfForteispowereddirectlyfromtheUSBport,phantompowerwillnotbeavailable.

IMPORTANT:OperatingFortefromaUSBportwillplacetheunitinUSBLow-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

invalidateyour warranty.Powersupplies foryourFocusriteproductcanbe purchasedfromyourmusicdealerifyouhavelostyours.


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USB Connection

TheFocusriteFortehasasingleUSB2.0port(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,you

mustmanuallyselectForte(onMac-basedsystems)orFocusrite USB2.0 Audio Driver(onPC-basedsystems)asthedriveronyourDAWsAudio Setup*page.PleaserefertoyourDAWsdocumentation(orHelples)ifyouareunsurewheretoselecttheASIOorCoreAudiodriver.

OnceForteissetasthepreferredAudioDevice*inyourDAW,Inputs1&2andOutputs1to4willappearinyourDAWsAudioI/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 ICONStouch-sensitiveiconsforselectingtheFortesprimaryoperatingmodesandmenunavigation.

3 ROTARY CONTROL for menu navigation and parameter control; incorporates a pushfunctionforusewiththemenus.Therotarycontrolcanalsobeusedasthemaininputgainandoutputlevelcontrol.

4 HEADPHONE SOCKETplugyourstereoheadphonesinhere(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-2xTRSjacksocketsprovidingbalancedlineoutputsforconnectionyourstudiomonitoringsystem.


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Example ApplicationThe Focusrite Forte is ideal for a variety of recording and monitoring applications. A typicalcongurationisshownbelow.

Forte as a recording interface

ThissetupillustratesthemosttypicalcongurationforrecordingwithDAWsoftwareonyourMacorPC.Inthiscase,youmightrecordguitarthroughInput1andvocalsthroughInput2intoyourDAW,whilemonitoringtheplaybackfromtheDAWviaheadphonesorloudspeakers.

Forteissuppliedwithan inputloom,whichbreaksoutthemultipininputconnectortotwoXLRfemalesockets(Mic1andMic2)andtwoTRSjacksockets(Line/Inst1andLine/Inst2).Youcanrecordtwoinputsatonce,andthesemaybetwomicrophones,twolineorinstrumentinputs,orone

ofeach.TheXLRinputsareintendedonlyforusewithmicrophones.Allfourinputsarebalanced.


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ConnectFortetoyourcomputerwiththesuppliedUSBcableandruntheForteControlapplication.

Clicktheiconsatthetopoftheinputfaderstoselectthetypeofinputforeachchannel.

Microphoneselectthisifyouwanttouseamicrophoneastheinputsource.Ifyouareusingacapacitor(condenser)microphone,clickthe48Vbuttontosupplyphantompowertothemic.Dontturnthisonifyoureusinganyothertypeofmic.OnlyuseacapacitormicifForteis

poweredviaitsexternalPSU,notviaUSB. Instrumentselectthisifyouwanttoconnectaninstrument(suchasaguitar) Lineselectthisifyouareconnectingaline-levelsource,suchasasynthmodule.

Using Direct Monitoring

Youwillfrequentlyhearthetermlatencyusedinconnectionwithdigitalaudiosystems.InthecaseofthesimpleDAWrecordingapplicationdescribedabove,latencywillbethetimeittakesforyourinputsignalstopassthroughyourcomputerandaudiosoftware.Latencycanbe aproblemforaperformerwhowishestorecordwhilemonitoringtheirinputsignals.

ForteusesDirectMonitoring,whichovercomesthisproblem.ThisisbecauseFortesinputshave

theirownchannelsinthetwomonitoringmixers,andForteControlwillthusrouteyourinputsignalsdirectlytotheheadphoneandmainmonitoroutputs.Thisenablesyoutohearyourselfwithnearzerolatencyi.e.,inrealtimealongwiththeDAWplayback.Theinputsignalstoyourcomputerarenotaffectedinanywaybythissetting.SeeUsingForteControlonpage14formoreinformation.


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Connecting Forte to loudspeakers

Forte has two stereo outputs, one for headphones at the front of the controller, the other forconnectiontoastudiomonitoringsystemormixingconsole.Youcanuseeitherorbothofthese,andderiveseparatemixesofinputsandDAWoutputsforeach.ThemixesaredenedinForteControl.

Fortesrearoutputsmaybeusedtoconnectmonitoringspeakers.Theseareprovidedinvariable-level, electronically balanced form on (6.35 mm) 3-pole (TRS) jacks. Active monitors (i.e.,modernstudiomonitorspeakers)incorporateinternalamplierswithavolumecontrol,andmaybeconnecteddirectly.Passiveloudspeakerswillrequireaseparatestereoamplier;inthiscase,theoutputsshouldbeconnectedtotheampliersinputs.

JACK PHONO

TRS JACK

POWERED

MONITORS

PASSIVE

MONITORS

Typicalconsumer(hi-)ampliersandsmallpoweredmonitorswillhaveunbalancedinputs,eitheronphono(RCA)sockets,orviaa3.5mm3-polejackplugintendedfordirectconnectiontoacomputer.

Ineithercase,useasuitableconnectingcablewithTS(2-pole)jacksatoneend.

Professionalpoweramplierswillgenerallyhave balanced inputs(eitheron 3-pinXLRor 3-pole(TRS)(6.35mm)jacksockets);useasuitabletwin-and-screencabletoconnectthemtothemainoutputsofForte.

Theamplier(eitheractivespeakersorseparates/hi-)is settogivethepreferredvolumelevel.Onceset,theForteknobisthemeanstocontrolvolumelevel.

NOTE:Youruntheriskofcreatinganaudiofeedbackloopifloudspeakersareactiveatthesametimeasamicrophone!Werecommendthatyoualwaysturnoff(orturndown)monitoringloudspeakers

whilerecording,anduseheadphoneswhenoverdubbing.


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Using Forte Control

ForteControlistheapplicationthatletsyoucontrolallofFortesfeaturesfromasingle,convenientGUI.

2

3

1 19 19

14

9

5 6 7

15

4

810

1 1 1 2 1 316

17

18

Input Channels1. Input Selectselectmic,instrumentorlinesettingforeachofthetwoinputs.

2. 48Vapplies48Vphantompowertothemicinputsonly(XLRs),providedthatForteispoweredbythesuppliedexternalPSU.

3. Signal leveleachinputchannelhasabargraphmetertoindicaterelativesignallevels,withanumericalreadoutofinstantaneouspeaklevelatthetopofthemeter.Thebargraphsegmentcorrespondingtopeaklevelwillstaylitfor1second(timeisuser-adjustable,seeSettingsonpage16).Thetopsegmentsofthemeterarecolouredred,andsignallevelsthishighshouldbeavoided.Thetopofthescalecorrespondsto0dBFS,anddigitalclippingisindicatedbytheredsegmentsofthebargraphilluminatingandthenumericalelddisplayingOVRfor1second(timeisuser-adjustable,see Settingsonpage16).

4. Input gainarotarycontroloperatedbythemouse.ThisparametermayalsobecontrolledfromtheFortehardwarecontroller.

5. Hi-pass lter[ ]aswitchablehi-passlterisincluded;whenincircuititreducestheLFresponsebelow75Hz,withan12 dB/octaveslope.ThisparametermayalsobecontrolledfromtheFortehardwarecontroller.

6. Pada10dBpadmaybeinsertedineachchanneltoreducesensitivityontheMicinput.ThisparametermayalsobecontrolledfromtheFortehardwarecontroller.

7. Phase reverse[ ]availableonallinputsources.Invertsthephaseofthesignalintheinputchannel.ThisparametermayalsobecontrolledfromtheFortehardwarecontroller.

8. Channel linking-theinputchannelsmaybelinkede.g.,forconvenienceofhandlingstereo

sources.Gain,phasereverse,hi-passlterandpadfunctionsbecomecommon.AnyoffsetingainbetweenthetwochannelswhenChannelLinkisselectedwillberetained.ThisparametermayalsobecontrolledfromtheFortehardwarecontroller.


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15

OutputsThetwostereooutputchannelsareidentical;theleft-handonecontrolstherearpanelmainoutputsandtheright-handthefrontpanelheadphonesoutput.

Note:PoweringForteviatheUSBportwillplacetheunitinUSBLow-Powermode.Inthismode,

themaximumoutputlevelsavailablefromthemainandheadphoneoutputsarelimited.Ifhigheroutputlevelsarerequired(e.g.,forheadphones)thenusethe5VDCpowersupplyprovided.

9. Signal level-theoutputmetersareidenticaltothoseusedforinputsignalmetering.

10. Output levelrotarycontrolsadjustedwiththemouse.Double-clickingthecontrolssetsaxedoutputlevelof-30dBFS.ThisparametermayalsobecontrolledfromtheFortehardwarecontroller.NotethatifpoweredbyUSBthemaximumoutputlevelislimitedto-18dBFS.

11. Dimreducestheoutputlevelby12dB.ThisparametermayalsobecontrolledfromtheFortehardwarecontroller.

12. Mutemutestheoutputchannel.ThisparametermayalsobecontrolledfromtheForte

hardwarecontroller.13. MonoeachoutputcanbereconguredasanL+Rmonosum.Thisparametermayalsobe

controlledfromtheFortehardwarecontroller.

Digital Monitor MixerTheSpeakerMixandHeadphoneMixsectionsofForteControlareidentical;usethetabsatthetoptoselectoneortheother.Eachmixerhassixinputchannels:twofromtheinputchannels,andfourfromtheDAWoutputs.Thesixchannelsarearrangedinthreepairs,andthefeaturesofeachpairareidentical,thusonlyoneisdescribedbelow.Themixerscontroltheaudiomixwhichisfedtotheoutputs,andhavenoeffectonthesignalsbeingsenttotheDAWforrecording.

Clickingonthe tabatthetopoftheDigitalMonitorMixeropensablockdiagramclarifyinghowthesourcesanddestinationsareroutedtoandfromtheForte,andwhichsectionoftheGUIcontrolswhat.Clickthe tabasecondtimetoreturntothemainGUIscreen.


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14. Channel faderscontroltheamountoftherelevantsignal(inputorDAWoutputpair)intheoutputmix.Notethatdouble-clickingthefaderssetsthemto0dB.

15. Signal level-themonitormixerchannelmetersareidenticaltothoseusedforinputsignalmetering.

16. MuteseachofthesixinputscanbeindividuallymutedwiththeredMbutton.

17. Solos eachofthesixinputsmaybeindividuallysoloedwiththegreenSbutton.Soloingachannelhastheeffectofmutingallotherchannels,sothatonlytheselectedchannelisheard.Morethanonechannelmaybesoloedifwished.NotethatsoloingamixerchanneldoesnotstopanyinputsignalsfrombeingfedtotheDAW.

18. Stereo linking the two channels in each pair may be linked for stereo operation. Thiscommonsthefunctionsofgain,muteandsolo.

19. Pan controlsitispossibletopositionthesignalinanyofthesixchannelsanywhereinthestereoimage.WhenStereolinkingisOn,thepancontrolsbecomestereobalancecontrols.

SettingsClickingonFile > SettingsopenstheSettingswindow,wherecertainglobalparameterscanbeadjusted.Theseare:

Meter Clip Holdthissetsthetimethattheupper(red)sectionofthebargraphmetersremainsilluminatedafterthesignallevelreachesdigitalclipping.The OVRindicationatthetopofthemetersisalsoaffectedbythisparameter.Thefactorydefaultvalueis1second.

Meter Peak Hold this sets the time for which the highest single meter segment remainsilluminated,givingaclearerindicationofpeaklevels.Thefactorydefaultvalueis1second.

Sample Rateaudiosamplingratesof44.1,48,88.2,96,176.4or192kHzmaybeselected.Thefactorydefaultvalueis48kHz.

Buffer size(Windowsonly)audiodatatransferbetweenForteandyourDAWovertheUSBlinkmaybesubjecttodelays,dependingonthecomputersprocessorspeedandworkload.Forthisreason,thedataisbufferedintheFortesothatnoneislost.Audibleaudioglitchesmaybeanindicationthatthebuffersizeistoosmall.Thebuffersizeshouldbesettothelowestvaluethatdoesnotproduceanyunwantedaudioartefacts.Thevaluemaybeadjustedintherange020ms;thefactorydefaultvalueis10ms.BuffersizeforMaccanbeaccessedfromwithintheDAW.


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Saving and Loading PresetsIfyouwant,youcanstoreallthemixerparametersasapresetandreloaditatalatertime.Youcanstoreasmanypresetsasyouwish.ClickonFile > Save AstoopenastandardSave As(Windows)orSave a snapshot fle(Mac)dialoguebox.NavigatetoasuitablelocationandSaveintheusualmanner.ThePresetleshavethelenameextension*.forte.

Loadingapreviously-savedPresetisthereverseprocedure;clickonFile > Open,navigatetotherequiredleandclickOpen.

Restore Factory DefaultsClickingonFile>RestoreFactoryDefaultsresetsallForteControlparameterstodefaultvalues.Thissetstheinputlevelsatminimum,outputlevelsat-30dBFSandallDigitalMonitorMixerlevelsatunitygain.SeeAppendixonpage24forfulllistoffactorydefaultsettings.


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Hardware Operation

ManyofFortesmainoperatingfeaturesmayalsobecontrolledfromthehardwarecontrolleritself.Therotarycontrol,colourOLEDdisplayandtouchiconsprovideasimpleinterfacewhichdoesnotrequirecontinuousaccesstotheon-screenForteControlapplication.

ThedefaultdisplayontheOLEDisabargraphrepresentation,withinputchannelsontheleft,mainoutputsinthecentreandheadphonesoutputontheright.

SelectinganyofthethreemainmodesviathetouchiconsInput,MainandHeadphones-causethebargraphdisplaytotemporarilycompresstoshowadditionaltextualinformation:withacompresseddisplay,thetwowidebargraphsarealwaysthoseshowingthesignallevelrelevanttotheselectedMode;i.e.,if youselectMainOutputMode,theinputsandHeadphoneoutputswillcontinuetoberepresented,butasthinbargraphsatthesidesofthedisplay.

OLED and Mode icons

1

2 3 4 5

1. OLEDcolourmulti-functiondisplay,showingmeteringandtextualinformation,depending

onuseractions.


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2. Input Mode givesyoucontrolofinputfunctions.AshorttouchwillallowInput1Gaintobeadjustedwiththerotarycontrol,whileasecondshorttouchwillswitchcontroltoInput2.(Inputs1and2togglewithsuccessiveshorttouches.)Alongtouchopensamenu,offeringadditional input-related functions(see Input Mode Menu onpage21),butnotethatInput1soptionswillbepresentedifInput1sgainwasthelasttobeaccessed,andInput

2soptionsifInput2sgainwaslastaccessed.

InputControls

NotethatiftheinputloomisnotconnectedtotheForte,anerrormessagewillbedisplayed:

3. Main Output Mode givesyoucontrolofmainoutputfunctions.AshorttouchwillallowMainOutputLeveltobeadjustedwiththerotarycontrol.Alongtouchopensamenu,offeringadditionaloutput-relatedfunctions(seeMainOutputModeMenuonpage22).

MainOutputControls


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4. Headphones Mode -givesyoucontrolofheadphonefunctions.Ashorttouchwillallowtheheadphonesvolumetobeadjustedwiththerotarycontrol.Alongtouchopensamenu,offeringadditionalheadphone-relatedfunctions.

HeadphoneControls

5. DAW Mode letsyousendcommandsfromtheFortecontrollertoyourDAWtocontrolcertainfunctions.DefaultcommandsarePLAYandHorizontalzoom,butthesemaybere-dened.KeyboardshortcutsmustbeenabledinyourDAWforthismodetowork.SeeDAWModeMenuonpage23.


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Input Mode MenuSevenmenuoptionsperinputareavailable;usetherotarycontroltohighlighttherequiredoption,andpresstherotarycontroltochangethestate(alloptionsexceptTYPEareswitchfunctions).

InputModeMenu

TYPEselectsMic,LineorInstasthesourceforthecurrentlyselectedinput(1or2).

48Vduplicatesthefunctionoftheon-screen48VbuttoninForteControl.Notethatthisoptionisgreyed-outif Forteis being poweredvia theUSBconnection;an external PSU isnecessaryforphantompower.

HPF-duplicatesthefunctionoftheon-screen button.

PHASE REV-duplicatesthefunctionoftheon-screen button.

PAD-duplicatesthefunctionoftheon-screenPadbutton.

LINKthisduplicatesthefunctionoftheon-screenLinkbuttonfortheinputchannels.

CLEAR METER & EXIT-thisreturnstheFortedisplaytotheinitialgain/meteringpage,andclearsanyheldbargraphmetersegmentsonboththeForteOLEDandtheForteControlGUI.


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Main Output Mode MenuFourmenuoptionsareavailable;usetherotarycontroltohighlighttherequiredoption,andpresstherotarycontroltochangethestate(alloptionsareswitchfunctions).

MainOuputMenu

MUTE-duplicatesthefunctionoftheon-screenMutebuttonforthemainoutputchannelinForteControl.

DIM-duplicatesthefunctionoftheon-screenDimbuttonforthemainoutputchannel.

MONOthisduplicatesthefunctionoftheon-screenMonobuttonforthemainoutputchannel.

CLEAR METER & EXIT-thisreturnstheFortedisplaytotheinitialgain/meteringpage,andclearsanyheldbargraphmetersegments.

Headphone Output Mode Menu

HeadphoneMenu

ThismenuoperatesinanidenticalmannertotheMainOutputModeMenu.


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DAW Mode MenuDAWModeletsyouusetheForteencodertocontrolvariousfunctionsofyourDAW.

TouseDAWControlMode,rstlaunchyourDAWapplication;ensurethattheapplicationisfocused(i.e.,theDAWistheactivewindow).SelecttheDAWControlIconontheFortecontroller.Notethat

DAWControlModewillnotoperateunlessyourDAWistheactivewindow(infocus)andtheDAWiconontheForteControllerislit.

ThedefaultcommandssentinDAWControlModeare:

PLAY/STOP(Press)

HORIZONTALZOOM(Rotate)

However,itispossibletoaccessadditionalcommandstothePressandRotatefunctions.Tore-assigncommands,proceedasfollows:

1. PressandholdtheDAWIconontheFortehardware(i.e.,alongtouch)toentertheModeMenu.TheOLEDwillshow2columns,oneforRotateandoneforPress.

2. Usethecontrolknobtoscrollthroughtheavailableoptionsintherstcolumn.

3. Selecttherequiredoptionbypressingthecontrolknob.Thecursornowmovestothesecondcolumn,wheretheproceduremayberepeated.

4. PresstheDAWiconagaintoleavethemenu.

5. ThealternativeDAWcommandswillnowbeavailableforuse.

Note-ForDAWControlModetofunctioncorrectly,pleaseensureyourDAWsKeyboardShortcutsareenabled.

IfnoDAWisdetected,anerrormessagewillbedisplayed:

ForafulllistofsupportedDAWsandthecommandsavailablewitheach,pleasesee:

www.focusrite.com/downloads?product=forte .


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Appendix

Forte Control Factory default settings

Input channels 1 & 2Source 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 0dBPanning Centre

Mutes Unmuted

Solos Off

Stereolink InputsOff;DAW1&2andDAW3&4-On

Performance Specications

RealWorldADCDynamicRange 117dB(A-weighted)

RealWorldDACDynamicRange 118dB(A-weighted)

ChipsetADC/DACDNR 120dB(A-weighted)

Microphone Inputs

TypeRedNetremotecontrolledpre-amplier;electronicallybalanced,Zin~1.3kohms

GainRange 0to+75dB


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MaximumInputLevelfor0dBFS +120.5dBuatminimumgain;Rs=150ohms,padoff

MinimumInputLevelfor0dBFS -630.5dBuatmaximumgain;Rs=150ohms,padoff

Signal-to-Noiseratio 117dB(A-weighted;Rs=150ohms)

FrequencyResponse 50Hzto42kHz0.1dB;-0.5dB@20Hz.(Rs=150ohms)

THD+N@-1dBFS 0.0007%(@1kHz,+11dBuinput,min.gain,20Hz22kHz)

Padattenuation 10dB

NoiseEIN -128dBu(60dBgain,Rs=150ohms,20Hz22kHz)

Phantompower 48V;onlywithexternalPSU,switchableperchannel

Line Inputs

GainRange -12to+42dB

MaximumInputLevelfor0dBFS +200.5dBuatminimumgain;padoff

MinimumInputLevelfor0dBFS -340.5dBuatmaximumgain;padoff

Signal-to-Noiseratio 116dB(A-weighted)

FrequencyResponse 20Hzto20kHz0.2dB

THD+N@-1dBFS


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THD+N@-1dBFS -90dB

OutputtoOutput >-90dB

InputtoOutput >-90dB

Additional DSP performance

Clockjitter


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