Focusrite Forte

^# 36

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$118.22 to $499.99 Price Tier: Standard

4.5 (22)

4 Critic Reviews

6 Reviews

Find out who is using Focusrite Forte

21 wishlisted

61 saved

Page last updated Jul 05, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 2 stores. Prices updated July 4, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

3.6 (39)

Used

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5.0 (3)

$118.22 4 available Used

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Average Price: $309

Standard/Professional

$150

$501+

Price Tier

In the Audio Interfaces category, Focusrite Forte is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

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For those embarking on a sonic journey, the Focusrite Forte offers a harmonious blend of studio-quality sound and portability. Perfect for singer-songwriters and producers alike, this audio interface transforms any space into a professional recording studio. With its sleek, compact design, the Forte can easily slip into your backpack, making it ideal for artists on the move. The interface is equipped with a vibrant, intuitive color display that provides seamless navigation through its features, ensuring you stay in control of your sound. The standout feature of the Forte is its award-winning preamps, delivering pristine audio clarity and fidelity that captures every nuance of your performance.

The Forte’s breakout cable simplifies connectivity, handling all your MIDI, microphone, and instrument DI inputs, so you can focus on your craft without being tangled in wires. Whether you're laying down a vocal track or recording an instrument, the Forte's premium converters ensure unparalleled audio quality. Its single multi-function knob offers precise control, enhancing your workflow and allowing you to make quick adjustments on the fly.

Key Features:

High-quality audio interface with award-winning preamps
Sleek, compact design with vibrant color display
Breakout cable for simplified connectivity
Multi-function knob for intuitive control
Premium converters for superior sound fidelity
Ideal for mobile recording setups

Product specs

Brand	Focusrite
Model	Forte
Finish	Silver
Year	2010s
Categories	Audio Interfaces

FAQs

What are the main connectivity options for the Focusrite Forte?: The Focusrite Forte features two combination mic/line/instrument inputs and four line outputs, offering flexible connectivity for various recording needs. It connects to your computer via USB for easy integration into your studio setup.
Is the Focusrite Forte compatible with popular DAW software?: Yes, the Focusrite Forte is compatible with most major DAWs, including Ableton Live, Pro Tools, and Logic Pro, providing versatility for different recording environments.
What is the sound quality like on the Focusrite Forte?: The Focusrite Forte offers high-quality sound with a dynamic range of approximately 111dB, ensuring clear and detailed audio capture suitable for professional recording applications.
Does the Focusrite Forte require an external power supply?: No, the Focusrite Forte is USB-powered, which simplifies setup and makes it convenient for mobile recording scenarios.
Can the Focusrite Forte be used for both studio and live applications?: Yes, the Focusrite Forte is designed for both studio and live use, thanks to its robust build and high-quality preamps that deliver reliable performance in various settings.

Videos

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Focusrite // Forte audio interface promo

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Focusrite // Forte audio interface overview

Focusrite

Focusrite // Forte audio interface at Dean St. Studios

Focusrite

Focusrite Forte Audio Interface

DV247 Music Store UK TV

Focusrite Forte - Perfect for Portable Recording!

Andertons Music Co

Focusrite Forte - Bass Groove

Terry Romanio

Musikmesse 2013 - Focusrite Forte Audiointerface

session

Focusrite Forte USB Audio Interface Promo | Full Compass

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Reviews

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PROS

Excellent sound quality and conversion
Extremely portable, perfect for recording on the go
Quick and easy to set up
Features solid Preamps and ADDA
Equipped with phantom power for versatile recording options
Professional-quality recording capabilities

CONS

Requires an adapter for phantom power, which can be inconvenient
Cable connections may become loose, affecting stability
Occasional crashes reported by users
Jog wheel can glitch, affecting operability
Software quality is considered average

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Focusrite Forte.

Features and functionality

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The Forte's headphone preamp is highly praised for its quality, enhancing the listening experience significantly when used with Ableton.
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The Forte may crash 25% of the time when a Windows machine is put to sleep, but unplugging and re-plugging resolves the issue quickly.
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Comparisons

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The Focusrite Forte is compared favorably to the Apogee Duet, often considered a higher-end competitor, especially when contrasted with entry-level interfaces like the older Scarlett models.
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The Forte requires a breakout cable for inputs, unlike the Scarlett 2i4 which has all input jacks on-board, potentially affecting portability and ease of use.
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Software and compatibility

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The Forte’s DAW control feature seamlessly integrates with newer DAW versions like FL Studio 20, despite being released during the FL Studio 11 era.
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Installing Forte Control on macOS Catalina requires disabling SIP and enabling write access, posing security risks but allowing functionality.
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Users experience compatibility issues with newer macOS versions like Big Sur due to added security features, limiting functionality without extensive system modifications.
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User experience

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Users report a "different world" of sound quality compared to using motherboard inputs, highlighting the Forte's superior audio clarity.
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The Forte's touchscreen interface is noted for its visual appeal, though the Scarlett 2i4's dedicated knobs and jacks offer more tactile control.
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Owners report no line noise and clear, loud sound quality with the Forte, emphasizing its superior performance for recording applications.
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Some owners resort to using older MacBooks with Bootcamp to maintain compatibility and functionality with newer macOS updates.
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Setup and maintenance

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Additional headroom and phantom power for condenser mics are available when using the power supply, which is a DC 5V 1000mAh adapter.
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Use cases and applications

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For mobile recording, the Forte is preferred due to its interface design, despite the need for a breakout cable.
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Value and pricing

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Despite issues, used Fortes can still fetch over £100 on resale markets, making them a viable option for budget-conscious users.
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Critic Reviews

Focusrite Forte

soundonsound.com

The Focusrite Forte shines as a high-quality USB audio interface with its elegant design and impressive technical performance. Its compatibility with both Mac and PC adds to its appeal, offering a versatile and compact solution for professionals. The OLED screen and intuitive controls make it user-friendly, while the inclusion of Focusrite's Midnight Suite plug-ins adds significant value. However, its reliance on a wall-wart power supply and reduced output levels on bus power could be drawbacks for some. Overall, the Forte stands out in the competitive market, delivering excellent sound quality and functionality.

positive

Full Review

Focusrite Forte Review | PCMag

pcmag.com

The Focusrite Forte is a sleek audio interface with a striking aluminum design and a vibrant OLED display, offering clean audio quality for both recording and playback on PCs and Macs. However, its portability is hindered by the necessity for AC power when using phantom power, and it only offers a single headphone output. While its sound quality is commendable, it doesn't quite match the class-leading benchmarks set by competitors like the Apogee Duet. Despite these drawbacks, the Forte remains a quality choice for those bridging platforms, yet its high price might make potential buyers pause.

neutral

Full Review

Focusrite: Forte 2 x 4 USB audio interface | Tape Op Magazine | Longform candid interviews with music producers and audio engineers covering mixing, mastering, recording and music production.

tapeop.com

The Focusrite Forte shines with its sleek design, impressive sound quality, and robust build. It's an excellent choice for those seeking high-quality preamps and converters in a portable package. The inclusion of premium software adds significant value. However, its reliance on a proprietary cable and the low default volume level are minor drawbacks. Overall, the Forte offers top-tier audio performance, especially at its price point.

positive

Full Review

macProVideo.com

macprovideo.com

Focusrite Forte impresses with its sleek design, solid build, and exceptional sound quality, drawing on high-end pre-amp and converter tech. The OLED display and Forte Control software offer intuitive functionality, though the main encoder's limitations in muting outputs could be improved. Despite minor drawbacks, Forte stands out as a versatile, professional-grade interface that shines in both studio and portable settings.

positive

Full Review

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 6 Reviews and 22 Ratings

5 star

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jonprotege

111

over 1 year ago

Had some issues with it but it's a dope unit

I don't know why these were discontinued because it's a nice compact unit with good quality converters. I've been using this for more than a decade now and I'm surprised that it's still running with no major issues. I have had some annoying firmware issues though and also the connector for the power supply is nearly broken now and needs to be wiggled into a certain position to keep it powered; but considering that I got so much mileage out of it, I am very impressed.

Roles:

Singer Rapper Composer

Genres:

Hip Hop Funk / Soul Alternative hip hop

iamplicit

about 9 years ago

A really good portable interface

Firstly, if you are a guy who makes music on the go this interface is going to come very handy. Close to almost no set up time, you can record mics/lines with some pretty solid Preamps and ADDA. Oh, it has phantom power too but you need to carry an adapter which is annoying but thats just me being picky. The cable can get a little loose sometimes if your not careful. I wouldn't recommend this if you don't do much of recording on the go, get a more stable (physically speaking) interface with more I/O

pieromoser

9 years ago about 9 years ago

Nice

freezeetch

1539

about 10 years ago

Slightly buggy, but excellent sound quality/conversion.

This is an amazing little interface, and I got it for a killer price used. It has crashed on me a few times, but the sound quality/conversion is outstanding, and I really like it's portability.

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist Keyboardist

Genres:

Electronic Techno Electro

spotter

139

over 11 years ago

A very good sounding card, but not the best in quality for your money.

The card disconnects by the lightest touch on the usb cable or the power cable. I've replaced three of these and the one I'm using right now has an annoying problem where the jog wheel is glitching around.