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Focusrite Forte

Item ID: ForteUSB

2-in/4-out USB Audio Interface with 24-bit/192kHz Resolution, 2 Microphone Preamplifiers, Full-color OLED Display, Configurable Touchpads - Mac and PC

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  • Retail Price$749.99
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  • Sale Price:$499.99
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From Our Research Team:

Powerful Compact USB Interface for Mac and PC!

Take high-end recording preamps anywhere you go with the Focusrite Forte USB audio interface. Featuring the same microphone preamps as Focusrite's flagship RedNet range, the Forte gives you a reliable and compact recording interface. You'll marvel at the crystal-clear audio you can capture with Forte's 24-bit/192kHz sample rate. A touch-sensitive screen lets you switch between functions and a large knob gives you precise control of functions and settings. If you need a high-end, compact recording solution, look no further than the Focusrite Forte USB audio interface.





Focusrite Forte USB Audio Interface at a Glance:
  • Focusrite preamps in a portable configuration
  • Flexible I/O for all your capture needs
  • Powerful software gives you control

Focusrite preamps in a portable configuration
Focusrite has pulled out all the stops with the Forte USB audio interface. They used their top-of-the-line RedNet preamps in this 24-bit/192kHz USB 2.0 interface to give you amazing audio quality. The rugged aluminum body houses a full-color OLED screen that gives you a clear picture of what is going on. Touch-screen controls let you choose the Forte's mode and a large control knob lets you precisely dial in settings and adjustments.

Flexible I/O for all your capture needs
The Focusrite Forte audio interface is a versatile 2 in, 4 out preamp. The supplied breakout cable gives you two microphone (XLR) and two line/instrument (TRS) inputs. A pair of TRS outputs let you run audio to your monitor setup for mixing and mastering. A front-mounted headphone output is perfect for recording and those late night mixing sessions. An external power supply is included that gives the Focusrite Forte phantom power capability.

Powerful software gives you control
Take complete command of the Focusrite Forte USB audio interface with the included Forte Control software. This powerful software allows you to select and set low-latency monitoring, mic pre levels, and many other features. Focusrite also threw in their popular Midnight plug-in suite. Midnight accurately models the classic ISA110 EQ and ISA130 compressor. The Focusrite Forte interface is perfect for use with Mac and PC on the road or in the studio.

Focusrite Forte USB Audio Interface Features:
  • Premium Focusrite preamps in an ultra-compact USB interface
  • Rugged aluminum case is perfect for musicians on the go
  • 2 in, 4 out interface with digital up to 24-bit/192kHz resolution
  • Color OLED display and touch controls
  • Mac and PC compatible
  • Includes Focusrite Midnight plug-in suite

Take a powerful USB interface any where you go with the Focusrite Forte.
Specification Detail
Computer Connection Type USB
Form Factor Desktop
Simultaneous I/O 2 x 4
A/D Resolution 24-bit/192kHz
Built In DSP/FX No
Number of Audio Inputs 2
Audio Inputs Types 2 x XLR, 2 x TRS
Number of Audio Outputs 4
Audio Output Types 2 x TRS, 1 x 1/8" Stereo
Number of Digital Inputs No digital inputs
Digital Input Types No digital inputs
Number of Digital Outputs No digital outputs
Digital Output Types No digital outputs
Number of Preamps 2
Phantom Power Yes
Bus Powered Yes
Manufacturer Part Number Forte

Forte Image Gallery

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Reviews

based on 7 reviews

Focusrite Forte

by Ben Lebron from
April 24, 2013
Music Background: Music Producer
Exceptional sound. Very very clean sounding.
Great mic pre's and very user friendly all-round.
The only thing isn't great is the latency option, it only goes up to 20 ms. So its good for low... read more [+] latency work but if you have a very heavy project you might feel a bit limited.
Other than that a seriously great buy. 5 out of 5! close [-]

Perfect for my needs

by escapist from Minneapolis, MN
April 8, 2013
Music Background: Pro Musician
I currently use an RME UFX as my primary interface for Sonar. I wanted something portable, so I could track in various locations without lugging alot of gear around. The forte exceeded my expectatio... read more [+]ns. Not only is the preamp usable, it worked great on vocals. This weekend I recorded vocals using only an SM7b and the forte. I was very surprised at how good they turned out. I opted to track the rest of the vocals using only this combo (I own both API and Great River Preamps). Well done, focusrite. I am very pleased. close [-]

The Forte Rocks!!!

by Lasonia Rideout from Sherrill, AR USA
April 2, 2013
Music Background: Gospel composer, singer, and musician
I bought my forte about a week ago. I downloaded the software prior the receiving it by delivery. I must tell you I also own the Duet 2 as well. I bought the forte for the Rednet preamps and Daw contr... read more [+]ol. I used my forte to record with Pro tools 10 and the device automatically detected my Daw. I mainly recorded instrument sounds from my Clavinova cvp-505 and the forte sound great. What I like most about the forte is its ease of use, sound quality, and daw control capabilities. I primarily use my forte with a MacBook Pro only, but it is great that it works on pc as well. I must say that the forte equally sound as great as my duet and I honestly think that a person would be happy with either when it come to sound quality. However, the forte has features that excel beyond the duet 2 such as the ability to connect four instruments at once without having to disconnect 2 input instruments each time you want to record 2 different instruments because it has four inputs, but only two can be used simultaneously. The duet uses combo input connections. So when I want to record my piano on two tracks and the I want to record two vocals tracks I must disconnect the piano from the input connectors of the duet 2. There is a duet 2 attachment that you can purchase separately that will give you the four inputs to the duet 2, but it cost $100 extra. And like the forte you can only record 2 channels that a time while connecting 4 instrument simultaneously. The forte Daw control is also great especially if you don't have a control surface, but the duet doesn't have this feature. Overall I think that feature wise the forte goes beyond the capabilities of the duet 2. But, this is my personal opinion. So you be the judge. close [-]

Focusrite Forte - Initial Thoughts...

by David from San Diego
October 8, 2012
Music Background: Recording Engineer, Student
Focusrite Forte Review:
• Signal Chain: Source > Mic > Interface > Hard drive (Mixed down to a 24 Bit aiff file)
• Interfaces used in comparison; Focusrite Forte and MBox 2 Mini
• Micr... read more [+]ophone Used: Neumann TLM 102
• Microphone Cable Used: Monster Studiolink XLR
Tuesday, October 02, 2012; 12:32 AM
Setting up the Forte was relatively easy; I had already downloaded the drivers and software a few days ahead of time since I was aware that the forte does not come with an installation CD, the software has to be downloaded from the Focusrite website. However you feel about this process it’s a non issue as it only took me 3 minutes to get the software installed after briefly pausing to admire the new shoe smell from the box the forte came in. Initially right now I’m just sitting around listening to random music through a pair of Audio Technica ATHM50sLE headphones and the play back sounds awesome, also controlling the functions of the device using its control knob and touch sensitive faceplate is intuitive and a breeze to work with.

Aesthetically the forte will turn heads but also has a low profile; it’s slim, sleek and sexy at the same time. Definitely a solid piece of hardware, I look forward to putting it through its paces tomorrow. Oh yeah, and just so you know, the Forte will operate in low power mode off usb 2.0 bus power which can be useful for on the road mixing and any DJ’s incorporating this into their setups. The Inputs and phantom power are disabled when in low power though, but consider the trade off… not being able to record while in low power vs. shorter battery life. Well for now, goodnight.

Tuesday, October 02, 2012; 10:58:33 AM

Initial impressions… the forte integrates nicely into my Pro Tools 9 recording environment. I only have two issues that I’ve run into one of them which I’ve had with every recording device while working on a laptop is when the lap top is plugged into an AC outlet I get noise in my monitors… likely solution in this scenario is usually your power conditioning (buy a better surge protector, one that conditions and cleans the power signal to rid yourself of any buzz or hum coming from this source). Second, which might be from me opening up the Forte Control suite before opening up pro tools is there was a conflict between the two software programs, in which pro tools did not want to operate because another program was using the hardware (I’ve only ran into this issue 1 time though).

It’s also apparent that this is a zero latency monitoring device, and I find it useful to mute the channel that I am tracking into as so I don’t receive two versions of what’s being recorded playing back in the headphones/speakers (Typical pro tools ****, lol)… The Focusrite Midnight plug-ins that come bundles with this software sound good too… time to unlock the demo versions… close [-]

inSync Review

by: Mitch Gallagher
If you're looking to get great-sounding audio in and out of your computer or iOS device,... read more »
Read more reviews

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See Also: USB Interfaces , Focusrite , Focusrite USB Audio Interfaces

Focusrite Forte

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