FL STUDIOs In 20 Minutes!
This will be the absolute simplest tutorial out there for FL STUDIOs (AKA Fruity Loops)
I will take you through the 5 basic components of FL STUDIO then provide a tip and a pitfall that I had to learn the hard way!
If you have any questions about abbreviations used check the
word bank at the bottom of the page. lets get started:
This will be the absolute simplest tutorial out there for FL STUDIOs (AKA Fruity Loops)
I will take you through the 5 basic components of FL STUDIO then provide a tip and a pitfall that I had to learn the hard way!
If you have any questions about abbreviations used check the
word bank at the bottom of the page. lets get started:
I recommend you learn all the FL STUDIO shortcut keys ASAP if you are serious about making music:
ESSENTIAL COMPONENT ONE:
The Browser
Hot Key: F8
What:
This is where you find samples (or sound fonts.) You can download these from various websites or use the shared data that comes with FL STUDIO.
When:
Picking your samples or VSTs is the first step to making a song. It helps to think of the different "band members" that will be playing in your song which are usually:
(important: VSTs can be found by clicking in the top left CHANNEL > ADD ONE then choosing the VST you want)
A) The drummer.
For drum basics you will need:
1) a kick drum sample
(fruity kick VST is a great starting place)
(The "Packs" tab in the browser has plenty of decent samples to choose from)
2) a hi-hat sample
3) a snare drum/clap/ rim shot sample
4) a ride sample
5) a perc. sample (for a little extra flavor)
B) The bass guitarist.
For the bass guitar you will usually only need one sample:
1) Bass guitar sample/ bass guitar VST
(boobass is a great starting place)
C) The rhythm Guitar.
The rhythm section can be just about any instrument. experiment to find what works best for you. some great places to start are:
1) Sytrus VST presets, poizone VST, Sakura VST, wasp VST, toxic biohazard VST
(These can all be accessed by clicking in the top left CHANNEL > ADD ONE and then selecting the VST you would like)
D) Strings or Pads.
This will usually be a long flowing instrument without many changes (mostly playing the basic chord structure of the song) that compliments the bass.
1) Sytus pads presets, any orchestra VST (you can also find string samples in the browser:)
E) The lead guitarist.
Like rhythm, this can be just about any instrument, VST or sample. some great places to start are:
1)Sytrus VST presets, poizone VST, Sakura VST, wasp VST, toxic biohazard VST
Tip: For extra spice in your song try incorporating another player in your band. you could try another rhythm section or another lead such as piano, a different guitar sample etc.
Pitfall: Spending too much time focused on getting the perfect sound will only frustrate you and waste time. A great feature of FL STUDIO is the ability to change your sample or VST at anytime. In addition, when you come to the end of the song and begin mastering your music there are hundreds of effects and ways to manipulate the sound produced so that you can get it just the way you want it.
Final thought on the browser: I primarily use the browser for my drum kit samples. most of my other instruments come from FL STUDIOs VSTs like sytrus.
Once you have the samples you would like to use left click on a sample and drag it into the Step sequencer.
hot key: F6 which looks like this:
Now move on to the second part of this tutorial: Learn to create a full song using FL STUDIOs in 10 minutes! The simplest, most in-depth tutorial EVER! Part 2
WORD BANK:
Sample/ sound font: A single tone or hit that can usually be manipulated through a controller (FL STUDIOs uses a piano roll) to change the tones pitch.
VST: Virtual Studio Technology. Th
is is a virtual instrument plug-in. It works like a stand alone application; a program within a program.
is is a virtual instrument plug-in. It works like a stand alone application; a program within a program.
Sytrus: This is a software synthesizer VST plugin that comes included with FL STUDIO. It has a wide range on pre-sets or instruments. it can be accessed by clicking in the top left CHANNEL > ADD ONE and moving down, alphabetically to the S section.
Poizone: This is another Software Synthesizer VST plug in that comes included with FL STUDIO. It can be accessed in the same way that Sytrus and all other VST plugins are accessed. CHANNEL > ADD ONE.
BooBass: This is another VST that imitates a bass guitar. The sound can easily be manipulated by turning one of three dials on the plug ins main screen. Bass, Mid and Treble.
Sakura: This is another Software Synthesizer VST plug in that comes included with FL STUDIO. It can be accessed in the same way that Sytrus and all other VST plug ins are accessed. CHANNEL > ADD ONE.
Wasp: This is another Software Synthesizer VST plug in that comes included with FL STUDIO. It can be accessed in the same way that Sytrus and all other VST plug ins are accessed. CHANNEL > ADD ONE.
Bio-Hazard: This is another Software Synthesizer VST plug in that comes included with FL STUDIO. It can be accessed in the same way that Sytrus and all other VST plug ins are accessed. CHANNEL > ADD ONE.
