On PCs, you’ll need Windows XP, Vista, 10, or later. For Macs, you’ll need Boot Camp/Windows (or OS X 10. 8 or 10. 9 for a Beta version). Yosemite is not supported.
Channel rack (F6): This includes your instruments as plugins. Plugins are the main way you add new instruments, and you can use instruments individually or in combination. Note that the height of the rack will change as you add or remove plugins. Piano roll (F7): The piano roll loads the note data from plugin instruments on its channel. Pitch is displayed on the vertical axis, and time is on the horizontal axis. This display will help you track visually what you’re playing musically. [4] X Research source Mixer (F9): All audio passes through the mixer. Your channels on the channel rack are bound to the mixer tracks. Playlist (F5): This is the player that plays (sequences) all the sounds that comprise your final song. [5] X Research source Browser (Alt + F8): The browser is a table of contents with three important sections: All, Current Project, and Plugin database. Through these, you can access projects, samples, plugins, and libraries. [6] X Research source
If it’s a short 3-4 minute song, you may wish to start off with a simple melody, pads, vocals, and so on.
The first layer can be a drum pattern to establish the beat. A 4/4 time beat is common in pop and dance songs. Another way of thinking about this is to emphasize the first and third beats of a measure. Bring in a simple bass line. The most common bass line would probably be a bass guitar sound or a standing bass, but you could also try a bass sax, tuba, or related sounds. You can then add in the melody on top of this. With rhythm and bass established, you can get a better feel for the track and begin to introduce melody. Begin simply with a few of FL Studio’s pre-recorded chords. This will give a richness and depth to your sound that individual notes often lack.
Usually, an instrument is a synthesizer or a sample player, used to make your melodies and percussions. FL Studio also offers vintage instruments and analog-sounding ones. [7] X Research source There are also special effects and sample voice sounds. You can add new instruments by adding new plugins through a Virtual Studio Technology (VST) interface. You may want to add an instrument if, for example, you don’t see the instrument you want, you want to use a rare/uncommon instrument, or you want to try a different version of an instrument you do have.
Left-click on step-sequencer squares to turn them on, and right click to turn them off. To change patterns, go to the Pattern Selector in the toolbar, and slide (left-click and hold) squares up and down. [11] X Research source
Use the mixer for levels and effects, such as reverb and delay. These effects are also automatable. [13] X Research source Recorded sound will be displayed in the Playlist as an Audio Clip. Use the Playlist window to play back audio and rearrange clips.
Click Throw Dice to begin a new melody/beat, and then click Accept to add it to Piano Roll. [14] X Research source Try pre-recorded chords. Also in the Piano Roll Tools Menu, find the Chords submenu. Here, you can add chords to the Piano Roll without having to create and play them manually. [15] X Research source
You won’t be able to play back saved projects in the FL Studio Demo version. To open saved projects fully, you’ll have to register FL Studio and plugins. The only other limitation of the demo version is that you might also hear some static, white noise, or silence using some of the plugins. [18] X Research source That said, the demo version is still very functional and a great way to learn FL Studio.
