Using Direct Monitoring - Focusrite Forte User Manual

Connect Forte to your computer with the supplied USB cable and run the Forte Control application.
Click the icons at the top of the input faders to select the type of input for each channel.
• Microphone – select this if you want to use a microphone as the input source. If you are using
a capacitor (condenser) microphone, click the 48V button to supply phantom power to the mic.
Don't turn this on if you're using any other type of mic. Only use a capacitor mic if Forte is
powered via its external PSU, not via USB.
• Instrument – select this if you want to connect an instrument (such as a guitar)
• Line – select this if you are connecting a line-level source, such as a synth module.

Using Direct Monitoring

You will frequently hear the term "latency" used in connection with digital audio systems. In the case
of the simple DAW recording application described above, latency will be the time it takes for your
input signals to pass through your computer and audio software. Latency can be a problem for a
performer who wishes to record while monitoring their input signals.
Forte uses "Direct Monitoring", which overcomes this problem. This is because Forte's inputs have
their own channels in the two monitoring mixers, and Forte Control will thus route your input signals
directly to the headphone and main monitor outputs. This enables you to hear yourself with near zero
latency – i.e., in "real time" – along with the DAW playback. The input signals to your computer are
not affected in any way by this setting. See "Using Forte Control" on page 14 for more information.
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