Behringer X32 - Audio Media

buttons switch between Input Mode, Main Output
Mode, Headphones Mode, and DAW Mode. Input Mode
provides control of input type, gain, link, pad, phase
reverse, and phantom power functions. Main Output
Mode and Headphone Output Mode provide control of
gain, mute, dim, and mono functions. The DAW Mode
provides limited control for several major applications
including Pro Tools 10, Cubase 6, Logic 9 Pro, Ableton
Live 8, GarageBand, Studio One 2, FL Studio 10, Sonar
X1, Reaper, Reason 6, iTunes and Windows Media Player.
Forte’s navigation is extremely natural and intuitive.
The Forte’s outputs are included on the actual box,
rather than the breakout cable, so when being used solely
for playback, it isn’t necessary to attach the breakout cable.
When the breakout cable is needed, it securely locks into
the Forte, preventing it from being accidently pulled
out. The Forte Control software makes no-latency direct
monitoring a breeze and it’s simple to route completely
different mixes to the headphone and monitor outputs.
Since there are separate microphone and instrument/
line input connectors, inputs don’t have to be re-patched
every time you switch from a microphone to a direct
sound source.
I do wish there was some form of digital input.
I used the box to record a couple of live shows and if I’m
recording from a digital console, I’d rather just stay in
the digital realm rather than convert to analogue before
immediately converting back to digital.
I used the Forte along with a MacBook Pro and a pair
From The Manufacturer
“Forte brings Focusrite’s
finest pre-amps and DAW
control to the compact
desktop interface
category.
Now professional
engineers can access
this world without
compromising the
highest standards of
sonic integrity.
Well adapted for stereo
location recordings and
playback applications
where compact and
light-weight are the
order of the day, Forte
will become the go-to
compact interface for
people who share our
belief – that sound is
everything.”
Giles Orford, Marketing
Director, Focusrite
of Emotiva airmotiv 5 monitors and found that I had a
fantastic sounding studio that I could carry anywhere
and set up in a flash. The Forte’s mic pre did a fantastic
job recording an acoustic guitar/vocal performance with
an AKG C-28B on the guitar and a Sony C-800G on the
vocal. I used a pair of Coles 4038 ribbon mics to record
a piano and found that the mic pre’s 75dB of gain was
more than sufficient to capture a fantastic piano sound.
I love having the mono control on the output paths.
Being able to reference mono at the push of a button is
always handy whether recording or mixing. I’ve used
a significant number of mobile bus-powered mic pres
over the last several years and while many have sounded
really good, I’ve always mentally considered them as such
considering they are bus-powered and, with the exception
of my review testing, I have never used a bus-powered
mic pre for a legitimate studio recording session. This all
changed with the Forte for the first time. Based on the pres
found in Focusrite’s RedNet network audio range, Forte’s
mic pre-amps are simply stellar. I wouldn’t hesitate to use
them in the most critical recording situation.
The Midnight EQ and Midnight Compressor are
fantastic plug-ins that have quickly become part of
my go-to group of plugs. I’ve been using them daily –
regardless of whether I’m using the Forte or not.
When running off USB power, there are a couple of
limitations including the lack of phantom power on the
microphone inputs and volume limits on the speaker and
headphone outputs. The outputs still maintain extremely
high audio quality, but they just don’t have the same
volume potential as when running off AC power.
Conclusion
Forte packs a truly professional recording set-up
into a mobile device at an accessible price. It’s for
anyone in need of a way to record on the go without
compromising quality or an affordable way to
set up a streamlined, capable project studio. ∫
audiomedia.com | November 2012 51
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