Focusrite Forte Audio Interface Now Available
Focusrite is now shipping their new Forte, a 2 in, 4 out portable USB audio interface for Mac and Windows. Designed to deliver analog sources to your DAW at excellent quality, it features two remote-controlled mic preamps and digital conversion at up to 24-bit/192kHz resolution. Built into a solid aluminium case, Forte features a color OLED display, touch controls and a single large control knob for intuitive operation, with DAW integration transforming it into a control interface.
Forte takes its name from the original Focusrite console that embodied all the fundamental elements of the renowned Focusrite sound. Focusrite’s original Forté was the recording console based on the ground-breaking mic pre and compression modules that Rupert Neve created for Air Studios back in the 1980s.
Forte has been designed specifically to provide a compact, rugged and effective input path to your computer with the maximum possible audio quality for mic, line and instrument sources. In particular, Forte claims to deliver “class-leading” dynamic range and noise floor. Featuring two of the latest design of Focusrite’s remote-controlled microphone preamplifiers, the Forte USB audio interface connects to both Mac and Windows computers via USB 2.0. It incorporates quality 24-bit A-D and D-A converters operating at sample rates up to 192kHz.
Particular attention has been paid to ergonomic design. A breakout cable with locking connector is used for microphone (XLR) and line/instrument (TRS) inputs, but balanced line and independent headphone outputs are provided on the unit itself, so the breakout cable is not required for playback-only applications. In addition, the fact that the mic and line-level inputs on the breakout cable are separate means that you can keep your inputs connected all the time without having to re-patch when you go from one to the other. Forte can run on bus power in “USB low-power mode” but an included power supply increases the available volume to headphones/line outputs and delivers +48V phantom power to your microphone.
The classic Focusrite Midnight plugin suite is also included in the box, accurately modelling the classic ISA110 EQ and ISA130 compressor from the original Focusrite Forté console.
The Focusrite Forte costs $749 and is available now. Amazon has it listed at only $599.
