An Insider's Guide to FL Studio 20: Tips and Tricks

Are you looking to make the most out of FL Studio 20 and up your music production game? Whether you're just starting or are seasoned in beat-making, the right techniques can breathe life into your creative process. Over the years, I’ve found that understanding a few key FL Studio 20 tips and tricks can significantly improve both workflow and sound quality. Let me walk you through my insider secrets to mastering this versatile DAW.

Workflow and Organization

Split and Merge Patterns

One of my go-to features in FL Studio 20 is splitting and merging patterns. It helps me keep my arrangements manageable and organized. By splitting patterns by channel and merging them back using playlist options, I find it easy to manipulate various parts of the track without getting lost in the complexity.

Purge Unused Audio Clips

My workflow would be inefficient if I were to let unused clips pile up. Utilizing the "Purge unused audio clips" macro offers a streamlined way to keep my project tidy, freeing up resources and saving valuable time.

Ziploot Packages

If you’ve ever needed to share your project files, the Ziploot package feature is a lifesaver. By saving projects as ziploot packages, all samples and project files are bundled neatly for easy sharing without any missing pieces.

Performance Optimization

Smart Disable Plugins

Keeping performance in check, especially on a less powerful machine, is crucial. Enabling "Smart disable" helps me close unused plugins automatically, ensuring CPU power is used efficiently.

Animation Settings

By setting animations to "Don't distract me," I notice a significant boost in performance, avoiding unnecessary distractions during sessions. It's one simple change that lets me focus solely on my work.

Keyboard and Mouse Shortcuts

• Cmd (Ctrl) for Fine Adjustments: Holding Cmd or Ctrl allows for precise adjustments, giving me control over subtle changes.
• Tap Tempo: Right-click the tempo for the 'Tap' function, letting me quickly set the tempo by feel.
• Computer Keyboard as MIDI: Press Cmd + T and I can use my computer keyboard like a MIDI keyboard—perfect for quick ideas.
• Quick Rename: Shift-click to rename tracks or channels on the fly.
• Mouse Wheel Functions: Zoom, scroll, and reset parameters easily using the mouse wheel, boosting the intuitive feel of navigation and control.

Audio and MIDI Manipulation

Audio to MIDI

I adore the flexibility of creating automation clips for third-party plugins with "Tools > Last Tweaked > Create automation clip". This method adds a dynamic layer to my productions.

Pitch Correction

The Pitch Corrector tool is my best friend for detecting and altering sample pitch, ensuring each element gels perfectly. Along with slide notes toggled using 'S', it adds a smooth flow to melodies.

Snap to Scale

Snap to Scale keeps my compositions musically coherent, limiting notes to a specific scale and making harmonic mistakes a thing of the past.

Visualization and Monitoring

Spectrogram and Monitoring

Switching from the oscilloscope to a spectrogram view allows me to monitor the frequency range of my tracks easily. This visual change elevates my mixing process.

Minute Counter

By changing the Bar counter to a Minute counter, I can track the duration of my projects without hassle.

Mixer and Effects

Save Mixer States

Saving and loading mixer states is a gem for accessing favoured effect chains with a click, allowing me to jumpstart creativity without rebuilding setups repeatedly.

Custom Metronome Sound

A simple right-click on the Metronome gives me options to customize its sound, bringing personalization even to the clicks guiding my timing.

Conclusion

These are just some of the transformative insights that FL Studio 20 offers. By incorporating these FL Studio 20 advanced techniques, I’ve managed to streamline my workflow and push my creative boundaries. Now it's your turn to experiment and find ways to incorporate these tips into your process.

Get started by applying one of these tips today and watch your productions transform. If you found these insights useful, why not share them with fellow producers or leave a comment below with your thoughts or additional tips?

FAQs

What are essential keyboard shortcuts for FL Studio 20? Using Cmd (Ctrl) for fine adjustments and Shift-click to rename elements are vital shortcuts that enhance precision and organization.

How can I optimize FL Studio 20's performance? Enabling "Smart disable" for plugins and setting animations to "Don't distract me" are effective methods for maximizing performance.

What is a Ziploot package in FL Studio 20? A Ziploot package in FL Studio 20 is a format that bundles all samples and project files together, making it easier to share or transfer projects without losing data.