Focusrite Forte

The Focusrite Forte is a 2 in and 4 out USB interface. It has 2 microphone pre amps and is compatible with your Mac and PC computers. The pre amps that come on the Forte are very good, and being that this is a very portable interface, you will always have high quality preamps wherever you need them. If you have a decent microphone you can record great sounding vocals while using the Forte (because of the preamps). The screen on the front of the Forte is also touch sensitive, there are not many options you can do with the screen but it will allow you to switch options and modes.


UTILIZATION

The Forte is a low latency interface, it is great with both Mac and PC computers. That is the reason why I got this interface. I have only been using it for 4 days now and it works perfectly on my MacBook and PC running Windows 7. Setting it up was very quick and easy, just loading the proper drivers and then it is plug and play from there. It does come with software but I do not use that software as I use my own DAW.


GETTING STARTED

With 2 XLR and 2 TRS inputs, 2 TRS and 1 1/8 output in stereo , you will have all of the optons you need to get audio in and out of your project you are working on. It does have Fantom Power. There are no digital inputs or outputs on the Forte which could be a deal breaker for some people.


OVERALL OPINION

The Focusrite Forte is very sleek and portable, it is very quiet and extremely easy to use because there really only is one knob and a few options on the touch screen. It does come with a manual. The Focusrite Forte just came out and it will be interesting to see how it holds up over time because I plan on using this interface for a long time for my portable set up with both my PC and Mac.

The main feature that lure me to purchase the Forte was the sleek and intuitive design. The unit aluminum casing with the LED screen makes this interface very streamlined. The sound very clear and crisp.

UTILIZATION

Latency is non-existant.

GETTING STARTED

The Forte can get a little buggy with Mac OS 10.6. The LED screen from time to time will freeze up, forcing you to unplug the unit. Forte's customer service assured me that this was a compatibility issue with 10.6 but not with the new OS 10.7 for Mac.

OVERALL OPINION

This is a great interface to have if you own a mobile or desktop studio. Cosmetically, this is a great looking piece of equipment. The aluminum casing and LED screen makes this a eye grabber in any studio. The sound that comes out of this machine is very concurrent to the other interfaces made by Focusrite. Also, the pre mics are ample for any type of audio recording. Vocals sound smooth yet loud though the Forte. I highly recommend purchasing it if you need a USB/mobile interface.

Sound card for laptop or mobile use sector in home studio.

Maximum recording 192KHz, 24-bit conversion and 192KHz, 32-bit export to Ableton Live.

2 inputs for either: intrument / line / mic, no ability to record one keyboard at the same time and in stereo microphone, shame ...

4 outputs: 2 mono jack for monitor speakers and 1 stereo output for headphones.

2 1 USB input and a socket for the power supply.

1 cord with jack mono and 2 XLR mic input.

The strong can work with feeding USB2, but the sound is reduced to the headphones and can not use the 48v phantom power.

Not taking afternoon.

Brief minimal configuration.

UTILIZATION

Installation is very quick on windows 7 with a laptop with 6 GB of RAM and a Core i7-3610QM processor

sound card can walk using 1ms minimum latency (2.31 ms 192kHz on ableton live) but with a little heavy plugins I had some problems, but it works fine with a slightly higher latency that is not meant for use.

Background noise pre amp is non-existent, it is a very good point!

The sound you get with this card is the domain of professional so you can do the final work for a studio album without a problem, for the price it's very good.

GETTING STARTED

I apreciated being able to watch my laptop while leaving plugged strong and able to re-open windows and everything works normally, it is a proof of the stability of drivers.

the sound card can be used without any latency monitoring input, everything is manageable with the software "strong control" between the DAW and the entrance to the strong, it is very simple to configure and can save his patch configurations .

OVERALL OPINION

I am currently very telling despite some shortcomings such as not putting the cord input and midi output and not be able to record 4 track at the same time.

The sound I get is completely transparent and professional, bought 369 euros I think it is an excellent choice for a mobile card and home studio for one person working alone, to save battery or group must be seen in a higher range as RME, but the quality of the preamp is not necessarily better.

the sound is crisp, clear, accurate, fits my expectations

I use it with "true keys" of vilabs (strong I was advised by vilabs)

+ Korg pax1 pro (sound sleeps strong or not so I use "true keys")

+ Normal use (ie a sound card for PC)

UTILIZATION

I use it for a few days, no crashes, light drivers, correct interface, RAS

GETTING STARTED

Easy and quick to install,

For use without power, the sound is not loud enough (or I'm a little deaf ..)

OVERALL OPINION

value for money, very good .. I hesitated with ur22, ur44, Safire PRO24 DSP

only drawback for me is that there is no hold twelve o'clock .. I was afraid to have lag, I do not

have not (well, not perceptible to the ear)

I do not regret my purchase!