We recently have been trying out Image Lines Fl Studio. We reviewed the latest version 20 of the Fruity Loops replacement and checked its functionality for the modern producer/beat makers during hip hop mixing and more. Find out what has been added to the producer edition and what has been improved. In our review well will compare the different packages such as the Producer, Fruity and Signature bundle.
The Fl update 20 features amongst others: A scalable, reworked vector interface and Multi Touch support, so you can control for example your mixer’s faders or other controlls with a tablet. Unfortunately Slate’s Raven isn’t compatible yet. A big bonus are the in the purchase included, always free updates for a lifetime. Other software developers should learn a thing or two from this policy.
How much does Fl Studio for Mac & Windows cost? Starting with 99 USD for the lowest edition, the price targets beginners as well as professional music producers. Let’s check out the new features and what has changed compared to previous versions in our quick overview:
Step 2: Adjust the Tempo. Often the BPM (beats per minute) of the reference track will differ slightly to your track. To get the most out of the procedure (especially when you plan to check out the arrangement), you will need to adjust the tempo. You can simply tap it out: Left-click on the Tempo button. FL Studio (until 2003 known as FruityLoops) 2 is a digital audio workstation developed by the Belgian company Image-Line. FL Studio features a graphical user interface based on a pattern-based music sequencer. The program is available in four different editions for Microsoft Windows and macOS, including Fruity Edition, Producer Edition, Signature Bundle, and All Plugins Bundle. Up To 82% Off FL Studio - Black Friday Deals 2020 3 Limited Time Offer - Exclusive Loopcloud Coupons 2 From Demo To Master - FREE Mixing And Production Course By Waves 20. A good way to get the right tempo is to open FL Studio's Tap Tempo and tap along as you hum. Next, I'll set up the recording panel to suit my situation. If I was recording with headphones, I might enable the FL Studio metronome, but because I'm not, the metronome would show up in the recording, which might complicate things when Edison analyzes.
- New scalable interface/ look & UI.
- Better Real Time stretching for Sampler.
- Improved Channel Settings & Menu.
- Better usage of Audio Clips.
- New Updated Browser & category tabs.
- Multi-touch support.
- Stepsequencer replaceable with Piano.
- Pattern menu now located in toolbar.
- 103 Insert & Send Tracks available.
- Detachable & Magnetic Windows.
- Improved Menus.
- Multi drag and drop in playlist.
- Easier installation process for Vst plugin ‘s.
- Midi Patterns.
- 10 FX Slots per track in mixer.
Which Version Is Right For Me? See All Fl Editions In Comparison:
- Audio Tracks
- Audio Recording
- Automation
- Pattern Clips
- 103 Insert or Send Tracks
- 10 FX Slots / Track
- Step Sequencer
- Piano Roll
- Event Editor
- Time Stretching
- Edison
- Newtone
- Audio Clip Generator
- FL Keys
- Autogun
- Drumaxx
- Drumpad
- Groove Machine
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Fl Studio Tempo Tapper Tutorial
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The Mac & Windows versions have changed a lot since their first release (previously named as Fruity Loops). What was once an entry level software to music production for beat makers has evolved to a full feature software music production environment. The Fruity edition suits beginers which are looking for their first digital audio workstation. The Signature bundle targets experienced producers looking for a DAW combining extensive composing, audio editing, arranging, recording and routing capabilities.
It is available for Windows PC’s running Windows 10, 8, Vista XP. How to get Fl Studio Mac 2018? The OS X version just was released after development from the alpha state. The Mac version is included after purchasing one of the four editions. The native Mac edition is available as 32 Bit, the 64 Bit software is still under development. More informations can be found in the Image Line’s website.
In the studio Fl Mac is pretty stable so far with minorr bugs. The performance on our Macbook Pro was well and we could run sessions with multiple tracks and instruments. If you are interested in this edition please visit the forum regularly in order to stay updated about the development status.
System requirements: At least 2 Ghz Intel Pentium 4 processor with 1Gb or more Ram, 1 Gb free disk space. The OS X version requires at least an Intel Mac running OS X 10.8, 10.9 or later. However the more Ram and more powerfull your system is, the more task you can process at the same time. If you want to run complex sessions with a lot of different instruments and vsti plugin ‘s it is better to install a bigger ram.
Whats has been added to the latest version of Fl Studio? Many details were changed in the layout and its functionality. All windows can now be resized and are adapting to the browser window. This means Fruity Loops fits to all screen sizes. This can be helpful for producers in various situations and window layouts can be sized to different workflow scenarios.
The Fl Plugin ‘s such as: Transistor Bass, Gross Beat, Toxic Biohazard, Sytrus, Directwave and much more have been updated. Many new presets have been added for Vst instruments and fx processors such as Vocodex, Delay Bank, Varazdin Orchestral, Poizone, Harmor, the Parametric Eq and more.
Multitouch support has been added which makes it possible to control Fl with most available touch screens and tablets. Unfortunately Slate’s Raven controller isn’t supported yet. With multitouch you can control the whole audio workstation with the touch screen for example the mixer, edit & mix functions and other controls.
With your support Image Line also includes the new Fl studio mobile version for Android, IOS based tablets within your purchase. If you are owning the Akai MPC Renaissance you can use Fl as a plugin. However the Akai MPK Mini Mk 2 works like a charm too. You can control a lot of software features and use the midi keyboards drum pads for drum programming as you would on a regular MPC.
The step sequences are now exchangeable with the piano roll editor & midi files, that comes handy for music producers who want to edit certain chords of programmed sequences. This provides more freedom and creativity so synths and other instruments notes can be sequenced.
Otherwise there have been a lot of stability improvements under the hood as well as a lot of menu changes. Some options have been moved to certain menus in order to improve the usability. The UI’s have been improved and updated as well such as the controllers, icons and more. The sampler and audio clip’s allow now real time stretching so you can add an independent tempo (using the tempo tapper) and pitch variations or experiment with samples using the fruity slicer or Slicex. You could add drum samples from the sliced beats sample packs and stretch them to your project.
Image Line ‘s Fruity Loops has evolved over the years. It is the perfect music production software for beginners as well as for professional producers. Wether you wan’t to sketch basic ideas with the improved pattern editor or produce, arrange & record complex songs this makes it all possible.
Fl is a good addition to other music software such as Cubase or Pro Tools, which are more focused on recording and mixing. We think that you can create basic mixes using the parametric eq, multi band compressor, stereo enhancer and transient processor etc. but other workstations offer more in regards of using outboard gear.
The current version could convince us in all points and a lot has been improved. The new UI is just beautiful and the multi touch support opens way more possibility for musicians in the studio or on the road. It makes it really easy to grab your laptop, keyboard and tablet when you are traveling and you have your fl mobile studio always with you. Other daw developers should follow Image Line ‘s lead and offer updates for free.
The “Producer Edition” has on our opinion all options you would need to start off with a production and provides the best value. If you need more instruments, sfx and features you should have a look at the “Signature Bundle”.
The Fl Studio Fruity Edition is great if you are just starting off and if if you want to compose basic songs, however for complex sessions it might be too limited. You always can upgrade from a lower edition to the next higher bundle anytime at a later date though. A complete list of included instruments and plugins can be found on the Image Line software website. You can download a Fl Studio demo version for free as well.
Open your Fl studio. I use Fl studio 7 – this is my favorite version.
First, you need to choose a tempo of the beat you want to produce… (RED). You can change tempo by using left mouse button and moving the mouse up or down, or you can right-click on tempo bar and tap tempo or choose from the list. The Blue color is your sample/loop library. You can export samples there and you them to your advantage. Green is a playlist where you will place all your patterns or samples to arrange your rap instrumental.
Ok, now with your tempo chosen we can start creating a simple drum pattern.
Creating Drum Pattern To Your Rap Beat:
Open your drum pattern panel (YELLOW). It should look like this:
Now choose samples from your sample/loop panel and drag and drop them to drum panel like I did above (RED). Now we can create a simple drum like this:
Ok, now we have the drum pattern to our rap instrumental done.
Creating Basic Melody For Rap Beats:
Let’s build a melody to our rap instrumental. Now right click on “Channel”(RED) in the main menu and select “Add one”(BLUE) and then select a plugin you want to use. For our rap beat, I will use a plugin named “Fl keys”. Check the image below to see how it have to be done:
Now when the plugin will show – right click on it and select piano roll (see image below) (RED). The piano roll will show. I created a simple melody for that rap beat you can copy and use:
If you use a newer version of Fl Studio you won’t have that pattern panel on the bottom of your Fl Studio. You can change pattern like on the picture below (RED). To change pattern just click on (RED) and select pattern. You can also cut (Ctrl+X) the melody and paste it (Ctrl+V) to a different pattern and fill the playlist in a different way like this:
Now let’s add some bass to this rap instrumental, shall we? You can select a sample of 808 or you can choose a bass plugin such as 3osc or BooBass. I will show you my secret method on how to create bass using 808 sample.
Creating Bass Using 808 Sample:
Select a sample from your library (left side). Then drag and drop the selected bass sample on your drum pattern (1)(RED). Now move to pattern 3 (See the previous image with red color to see where you can change patterns). Now click the bass sample on your pattern panel. (2)(YELLOW).
Ok now, see the image below and click “INS” in your 808 window (RED). Then select “VOL” category (LIGHT BLUE). Next is to change parameters from the left box (BLACK) to right box (WHITE). All parameters should look like this (YELLOW):
Ok, now we have more control over our 808 bass sample. We can now select the “Piano Roll” window and create our bass which should look like this:
Remember that the bass needs to fit melody harmony scale. You can read about music scales here :
[ LINK: http://forbidden-fruity.blogspot.com/2009/10/scales-modes-chord-progressions-and.html ]
Ok now with our bass created you can now place your Pattern 3 into a playlist and play your beat:
Fl Studio Tempo Tapper
Ok, so now you know how to create drum pattern, bass, and simple melody. Play with this and try to create 1 more melody to make your rap beat full.
You can also download this project with all the samples I used in a zipped file below. If you use newer version on Fl studio it should work. The newest version of fl studio looks pretty similar so you won’t have any problems in finding tools.
[ LINK: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1IC40iZ8YksarloGvRhopHsgCEbcUyqGF ]
Congrats! You just created your first rap instrumental using FL Studio. Hope this was helpful.
Leave some comments and share if you think it was useful.
Paweł Tugeman
Contact
Pawel Tugeman
E-mail:[email protected]
Skype:lazyrida
Phone:Pawel+48 574 711 328