Forte User Guideeng
Transcript of Forte User Guideeng
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User Guide
www.focusrite.com
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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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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.
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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.
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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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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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