Streamworks Audio is proud to introduce the FL Studio Masterclass covering an introductory group of Fl Studio and Image-Line plugins.
This 11 part series will walk you through a collection of plugins and how they can be used in FL Studio to do everything from create new unique sounds as well as recreate some sounds found in other popular products and chart topping music.
EPISODE ONE
14 minutes
Episode 1 is an introduction to synthesis where we will cover basic subtractive synthesis with 3xOsc. To better understand the changes we are making during sound creation we will employ Wave Candy, an oscilloscope plugin, so we can see what our sounds look like and how they relate to the oscillator shapes we have chosen.
EPISODE TWO
In episode 2 we will be working with DirectWave, a powerful sampler engine enabling users to create deeply sampled sound libraries. In addition we will also begin working with Edison, a great support plugin for DirectWave, which allows users to record and sample any events within FL Studio.
EPISODE THREE
In this episode we will begin by altering a re-sampled sound from the previous episode using Fruity Granulizer. After exploring sounds with the Granulizer we will add Fruity Parametric EQ2 to the FX chain for further sound sculpting and filtering.
EPISODE FOUR
Slicex is the tool of choice for producers looking to process and rearrange looped content. Here we will go over some basic looping tricks as well as how a user can create new beats from custom loops. This episode will begin by creating a loop using Teenage Engineeringâs Pocket Operator PO-12. A wave of this loop will be included with the tutorial as a download or you can create a custom beat using your own gear or even a smart phone app.
EPISODE FIVE
When working with drum samples, FPC is where you want to begin. Weâre going to be using FPC with some custom junk yard percussion samples to make a jungle style beat. In addition we will begin to add some space and depth to our sound with Fruity Convolver. Junk yard percussion samples are an additional download included with this video.
EPISODE SIX
Now that we have covered some basic synthesis, beat making and working with loops we can begin processing and glitching our sounds with Gross Beat. While we are at it we will also look at how we can use Gross Beat to recreate the âpulse engineâ sound found in several popular software synths.
EPISODE SEVEN
22 minutes
In this episode, we will cover the use of several controller plugins in Fl Studio and how they can be used as part of a virtual modular synth setup within the Patcher plugin. In addition, this episode includes the two, free VST instruments that were used as part of the demonstration.
â¦More to come!
If youâve been using FL Studio for a minute, youâll have seen this beast of a list pop up when you go to load up something.
This is the FL Studio plugins list, and it shows you all the devices you have in your library.
Looks kinda overwhelming, right?
If youâre new to FL Studio, you wonât have any clue what plugins are.
Or maybe youâre looking at how to use these plugins.
You could even be looking at finding some good third-party VSTs to add to this list.
Whatever your case may be, this article aims to answer your questions. So make sure to read the whole thing to really understand plugins and be able to use them to their fullest potential.
Weâve broken this article into three main sections:
So, letâs jump into it.
What is a Plugin?
Depending on your music production journey, you might know what plugins are already. But if you donât, they are extra pieces of software you can use with FL Studio (or any other DAW).
Hence the word: plug-in.
But what do plugins actually do that FL Studio canât do?
While a majority of DAWs (like FL Studio) have great feature sets that are more than capable of creating high-quality in music, sometimes the basic functionality just doesnât cut it.
Perhaps you want to synthesize more complex bass sounds, or want to have a reverb sound with more analogue character? Maybe youâre just not having enough fun, and you want to expand your options and experiment.
This is where plugins come in â to fill the gap.
Generators, Instruments and Effects? What?
Plugins come in two varieties. The first plugin type is an instrument (FL Studio prefers the term generator) format, which is designed to synthesise, sample and produce sounds. The sounds are produced when you input notes into them through a MIDI device or on the piano roll.
These are loaded up either by dragging from the browser, or by clicking the + icon on the Channel Rack.
The second is an effect format, which is designed to process, manipulate and change the incoming sound. These plugins are added into the FL Studio mixer inserts on the right. Note that the order matters when it comes to loading up effect plugins in the mixer. If you add reverb after the delay, the reverb will be applied after the delay is applied to whatever is being inputted before that.
FL Studio includes its own plugins in some of their bundles. Because they know that plugins can add expanded functionality and creative sonic possibilities.
But the majority of plugins youâll find in producersâ arsenals arenât included with FL Studio.
Ever heard of Serum by Xfer Records? Thatâs a third-party synthesizer plugin. Plugins made by third parties are something you can purchase or download separately to FL Studio, usually made by a variety of different manufacturers.
Whatâs a VST?
Plugin? VSTs? What? All these words!
Another word used interchangeably with âpluginâ is âVSTâ. But many producers get confused here, they arenât necessarily the same thing. VST is a type of plugin format. There are a variety of plugin formats:
Many instrument plugins also have standalone versions that you can use outside of FL Studio or a DAW environment â this is usually an option when you install a plugin on your computer.
What should you use? It doesnât really matter, they all work the same and donât sound any different. Object of class html2fpdf could not be converted to string meaning. Just make sure your computer supports it.
VST is the most popular and supported, but Audio Units are great on macOS because they are native to the platform.
FL Studio Plugins
As previously mentioned, FL Studio comes with a great set of plugins. In fact, itâs one of the reasons people pick FL Studio over other DAWs. These are a âNativeâ format unique to FL Studio, not VST or anything.
You can find a LOT of information on each of them online, but it requires hours of research and understanding just to know how to use them.
When I first used FL, I just wanted to get in a start getting my hands dirty, without feeling like Iâm drowning.
So letâs delve in and demystify the main ones for you. We wonât cover all of them, but weâll get to the important ones.
Also, most of the FL Studio plugins included have quite a steep learning curve, so we arenât going to explain the types of synthesis or processing behind each plugin, as that is a separate, lengthy discussion.
Weâll include links to other resources for the FL Studio plugins below, if thatâs what youâre after. This is a basic rundown of each pluginsâ features and interface.
Generators3x Osc
I canât think of a more basic synthesizer plugin thatâs included with FL Studio, but as they say, limitations can be powerful. Load this thing up and you can make some killer sounds.
So many people swear by this instrument, that thereâs even a challenge dedicated to it.
Itâs fairly self-explanatory, so much so that I can give you the basic rundown in a paragraph â you get 3 oscillators on which you can choose between 6 waves (saw, sine, triangle, square, noise and a strange rounded square) with each having the ability to also be a sampler.
In addition, you also get the standard level control, pan control, fine and coarse pitch tuning, detune and phase offset. Oscillators 2 and 3 come with mix controls that blend their signal in with Oscillator 1âs signal.
And thatâs it â but donât let the simplicity repel you. Play around with it and find out for yourself.
Sytrus
AKA FL Studioâs premier FM synth. Whatâs an FM synth you ask? It stands for Frequency Modulation, and itâs an advanced type of synthesis thatâs able to produce some unique sounds that you canât get using other synth types.
Once again, the interface isnât anything too spectacular, and in actuality, itâs pretty daunting. In my early days of production it was the kind of thing that made me scared to click on the fruity icon on my desktop.
Since then, theyâve revamped it with a less fear-inducing design, but the overwhelming feeling you get when gazing into the interface hasnât gone away.
Consisting of 6 operators, some filters and FX, you can make an insane variety of sounds â from rip-roaring growly basses to beautiful tonal pads.
Most of the sound comes from the Matrix on the right, where you can see a wall of knobs. Essentially, you modulate the different operators against each other to produce different tones and textures.
If youâre after a full course on Sytrus, check out this course from Sonic Academy.
Harmless
Harmless is an incredible subtractive-additive synthesis plugin, with an array of unique features. If youâve heard of Massive or Sylenth1, Harmless is the closest native synth to those.
According to the FL Studio website, the synth was designed to have 5 main sections:
Harmless has quite a learning curve, so if youâre new to sound design, youâll probably want to follow a guide to learning a synth like this.
Note: Harmless only comes with the Signature Bundle and up
Harmor
The staple of many bass producersâ studios, Harmor is an extended version of Harmless including a resynthesis engine.
Whatâs that you ask? Well if you make a sound, you can take it, treat it as the new basis, and apply the synthesis and FX process all over again.
If youâre interested in making crazy bass sounds with this plugin, check out some of SeamlessRâs tutorials on YouTube. The stuff he makes is unbelievable.
Other features include:
You can use Harmor in other DAWS on Windows, but on macOS your stuck inside FL Studio with this one.
Note: Harmor is only in the All Plugins Bundle
SlicexHow To Use Fruity Granulizer Windows 10
Being the bigger brother of the less-featured Fruity Slicer, Slicex is quite a capable sample slicing instrument. In a sentence: it chops up drum loops.
If the interface doesnât make it apparent, Slicex isnât feature-shy. With a variety of modulation options to alter the volume, filter, speed, velocity and way more, you can chop loops both intuitively and creatively.
Like most looping instruments, it chops them automatically and assigns them across the keyboard. Of course, you can change the chops by adjusting the markers down the bottom, while naming them for the sake of definition.
Once again, there are Edison-like audio editing features, including fade in/out, chopping, normalising and heaps more. Itâs one of those things that I recommend just getting in and exploring for yourself.
If you want a comprehensive guide to Slicex, check out this tutorial from Internet Money.
Honourable (Brief) Mentions
EffectsFruity Parametric EQ 2
A powerful yet simple EQ plugin that helps balance the different frequencies in a sound. One unique feature that helps EQ 2 to stand out is the intuitive frequency visualiser â brighter lines indicate louder frequencies. Great for both mixing and mastering.
Youâve got 7 different bands you can manipulate the frequency and bandwidth on, but also 7 different curve possibilities:
If youâre new to EQ, check out this.
How To Use Fruity Granulizer 3Fruity Limiter
Ahh yes, that plugin that gets loaded on your master every time you open FL Studio. But what does it do?
Well first and foremost, itâs a Limiter â a device that allows no audio to pass over 0dB by applying heavy compression. Yet most people donât realise it also have a standard Compressor function, and is the ideal way to side-chain something.
Have no idea about compression/limiting? Give this a look.
Fruity Delay 3
You may be surprised to hear that this plugin is a more recent addition to the FL Studio library. Or not, because it has the number 3 next to it.
Regardless, itâs definitely an improvement on iterations one and two. You can get so many awesome delays out of this thing, with features like feedback distortion, modulation and tone control, in addition to standard features like delay time, feedback, filter, delay model and dry/wet control.
If youâre new to the land of delays, Image-Line themselves have a comprehensive tutorial on their YouTube channel.
Fruity Reeverb 2
With a reputation for itâs cheesy sound, you might wonder why Iâve included Reeverb 2 amongst the âmainâ plugins. But donât listen to internet purists â Reeverb 2 sounds as good as the person plonked in front of the DAW can make it.
Youâve got quite a number of controls here, but the important ones are: delay, size, decay, dry/wet, high/low cut and ER level. These control the bulk of the length, density, loudness, colour and shape of the reverb tail â the thing that makes your sound feel like itâs in another space. This isnât a full reverb tutorial, so if youâre after that then check this out.
Fruity Convolver
Iâm quite surprised when FL Studio users say they havenât delved into the sonic capacity of the Convolver. Maybe because the interface causes people to freak out and shut FL Studio down.
So what is it? A convolution reverb plugin â different to the standard algorithmic reverbs youâll find (like Reeverb 2). Instead of relying on the aforementioned maths to calculate a precise space, it uses a pre-existing sound called an Impulse Response (IR) and superimposes that over the input signal, taking your bedroom saws to the Taj Mahal and back.
FL Studio includes a great library of IRâs, but you can find a ton for free with a swift Google search.
Among the standard knobs and features of a reverb plugin, youâll find Edison-like audio editing tools to customize your IR exactly the way you desire, including a useful EQ section to alter pesky frequencies in the original sample.
Pro-tip: for some crazy sound design, try dragging in a sound that isnât designed to be a IR, into the sampler at the bottom. Because breaking tools is the funnest, right?
Edison
If youâve picked up FL Studio from another DAW like Ableton, this is where all sorts of audio processing and recording happens.
With a myriad of tools including fade ins and outs, normalization, looping, delay, blur (a reverb-type effect) and so much more than I can write here, youâll be playing with it for hours.
As mentioned before, FL Studio has tried to unify itâs user experience across plugins by including the same suite of editing features across the board. This way, youâre not reaching for the manual every time you want to figure out how a new plugin works.
One thing to note about Edison is that because of itâs native integration, it âovertakesâ the transport keyboard shortcuts (like play, pause and record) when being used, as this allows for a seamless recording experience.
Gross Beat
The holy grail of FL Studio to be honest. Honestly, when I first used this plugin I didnât get it. I mean, I thought it was alright, but nothing fantastic.
But after getting more into production and increasing my knowledge, you can see how practical and creative it can be.
Sidechaining, pitch shifting, stuttering, volume fading, turntable emulation, you name it.
Yet this is all achieved by drawing an envelope for both the pitch and volume over a defined period of time (e.g. 1 bar).
Note: Gross Beat only comes with the Signature Bundle and up.
Effector
While itâs no replacement for a dedicated effect type, Effector is a fun way to get creative with your processing. Combining phasers, reverbs, distortions and pretty much every effect type into one plugin, it allows intuitive modulation of parameters on an X-Y pad, with a customisable mod rate.
Think of it like a discount Turnado, Effectrix or Glitch 2. Good for some applications, not so much for others, mostly because thereâs not too much to the plugin.
Vocodex
Yoy-bass lovers and vowel-sound fanatics â this is your plugin.
Vocodex is an advanced Vocoder plugin. Iâm not going to take the time to explain in depth what a vocoder is, but essentially it uses a voice (modulator) to modulate a carrier, which can be a synth or any sound.
Itâs how you get those robot-esque sounds in many of Daft Punkâs tracks.
Except Vocodex is like that on steroids. You can change vowel sounds, make it sound like multiple people, and way more.
Here is a simple guide on Vocodex if you want to dive into it.
Maximus
Multiband compression and limiting to the next level. Maximus is (mostly) a mastering plugin that makes things sound super loud.
It has 3 bands, for low, mid and high, and then a master processing that comes after all three. Each band has its own visualizer and set of controls, like gain, attack and release, and the graph on the left, which represents the ratio and threshold.
Maximus requires a decent set of prior knowledge before using it, like understanding an EQ, compressor and limiter, so if you want to dive into it, check out another video from Seamless.
Honourable Mentions
Third-Party Plugins
Beyond the many included plugins, there are an infinite number of free and paid options made by a variety of manufacturers. Youâll never be without plugins again, really.
If you donât know how to add them to your library, check out our beginnerâs guide to FL.
One recommendation here is to be careful â itâs easy to go overboard with plugins that youâll never use, and you could waste a lot of money and kill creativity. Think about each plugin before you add it to your studio.
Paradoxically, adding a new plugin to your toolbox can be a great way to spark inspiration. So letâs take a look at some options.
Free PluginsXfer OTT
So you want your sounds to be super-squashed? Like over-the-top squashed? Then this is the compressor for you.
Modelled off the âOTTâ Multiband Dynamics preset in Ableton, this plugin brings the unique texture to any DAW, including FL.
Includes gain control, 3-band threshold control, time and depth controls.
Voxengo Span
Itâs hard to come across a decent spectrum analyzer. Especially one thatâs free.
Span is incredible for the price (free) and has all sorts of functionality, including FFT time customisation, pitch and frequency analysis and multiple spectrums from different audio sources. Super cool.
u-he Tyrell N6
I had to include a free instrument, and Tyrell is insanely great value as a free plugin, because itâs synthesis engine is premium-level quality.
Yes, itâs simple and compact, but thatâs all you might need. Check out some of the presets on this thing, theyâre actually interestingly good. The filter module on this thing is also adapted from Diva, u-heâs top-of-the-line analogue emulation synth. So donât waste this one.
Paid Plugins
While there are numerous free plugins that are sufficient for both making good music and sparking creativity, sometimes you need something thatâs had the time and effort worked into it.
The problem with free plugins is that theyâre hit and miss, whereas if you buy something, youâre a lot more likely to get utility out of it. Not just because there is a financial incentive for the company in selling something of value, but also because there is also a financial investment on your part, giving you the kick up your producer ass you probably need to make music.
Hereâs some popular and high-quality options on the market:
Xfer Serum
Itâs both number 1 on Splice and the go-to synth plugin in many electronic music producersâ studios for a reason. Itâs damn sick, thatâs why.
Serum is the brainchild of Steve Duda, a producer and software engineer who runs Xfer Records.
Basically, itâs an advanced wavetable synthesizer with subtractive, additive and FM capabilities all built in, and thatâs only scratching the surface.
Whatâs a wavetable synthesizer? Imagine you could tell your oven to make any food you wanted ever. Thatâs the culinary equivalent of Serum.
You can import any sound and turn it into a wavetable, by splitting the sound into series of audio cycles that get repeated and scanned through. Kind of like making a stop motion film and putting all the pictures together at the end, but in reverse.
You can either buy or rent to own Serum, which is a pretty sick deal. So click the link above to grab it. We also recommend it for EDM Foundations.
iZotope Ozone 8
AKA mastering made easy all in one plugin. Ozone is a suite plugin, meaning it rolls a lot of the features from a group of standard plugins into one simple interface.
It comes in a few different versions, but at the heart of it, the result is the same â quality mastered audio.
Ozone has some crazy futuristic features that I should mention, like Tonal Balance Control (which is basically automatic EQ), Spectral Shaping (removes frequencies surgically per band) and Track Referencing per section. Makes some tedious mastering tasks too easy.
To sum it up, Ozone includes the following modules (they are standalone too in the Advanced version):
Once again, Splice offers the option to either buy or rent to own Ozone, so click on the link to get to their site.
Native Instruments Massive
Although itâs a bit older (and itâs about to get a revamp), Massive was the centre of many music producersâ studios for years and years, responsible for many synth sounds. And it still is for many people, remaining at #11 on Splice.
Itâs a wavetable synth, like Serum, but without the crazy visuals and custom import options. Itâs got some great, unique filters and other processing options though, making it great if you like a bit of restriction.
Valhalla VintageVerb
One of my personal favourite reverbs, Valhalla VintageVerb is insanely good for thick, retro-style reverb.
It can emulate a 1970âs colour, a 1980âs colour or a NOW colour, which texturizes the reverb in different ways. It also has a bunch of different modes for different sounding spaces, and a myriad of presets for different creative needs.
While youâre at it, you should just check out all of Valhallaâs reverbs. Theyâre all $50 each.
Other Resources
If you didnât know, there are literally thousands, if not millions of free and paid plugins out there for FL Studio, made by hobbyists and companies alike. Here are a few resources that curate them well. Be warned though, youâll find both gems and garbage in these sorts of places.
Enough Plugins?
Ok, thereâs quite a few options for you now. So go check out some of these plugins, load them up into FL Studio and be on your way. Remember to check out our music production software guide if you need more though. You can cop it in a PDF format too, if youâre into that.
If we missed something important, then let me know at [email protected].
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