FL Studio

• Version 12, released on April 22, 2015, added a new vectorial UI, updated plugins, multi-touch support, a redesigned mixer, improved 32 & 64 bit plugin support and improved file management.[25]

• Version 20, released on May 22, 2018, skipped versions 13 to 19 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the program. It introduced native macOS support, multiple time-signatures, midi and audio clip consolidation (conversion to audio), unlimited playlist arrangements, improved Plugin Delay Compensation, the return of the Step Sequencer Graph Editor, Sample Start for Channel samplers, 500 Playlist tracks, 125 Mixer channels. Main pitch knob changes every 100 cents, FL Studio ASIO's "Hard clip at 0 dB" option is now on by default, Scroll lock key state is no longer changed when toggling the auto-scroll toolbar button, several bug fixes.

The mixer interface allows for any number of channel configurations. This allows mixing in 2.1, 5.1, or 7.1 surround sound, as long as the output hardware interface has an equivalent number of outputs. The mixer also supports audio-in, enabling FL Studio to record multitrack audio.[26]

FL Studio supports time stretching/pitch shifting, beat slicing, chopping, and editing of audio, and as of version 12.9 it can record up to 125 simultaneous audio tracks.[27] Other key features include a digital piano roll. Audio can be imported or exported as WAV, MP3, OGG, FLAC, MIDI, ZIP, or the native project format with an .FLP filename extension.[17]

The demo is very functional, allowing users to save their project files for re-opening in the registered version, and export their tracks to any of the available file formats.[28]

FL Studio comes with a variety of plugins and generators (software synthesizers) written in the program’s own native plugin architecture. FL Studio also has support for third-party VST and DirectX plugins.[29] The API has a built in wrapper for full VST, VST2, VST3, DX, and ReWire compatibility. Many of the plugins also function independently as standalone programs.

• Dashboard – An included plugin that allows the creation of full automation-enabled interfaces for hardware MIDI devices. This allows FL Studio to control hardware from within the program. As of version 9.0 it also supports multiple controllers for different generators and effects.


• Edison – Edison is a wave-form editor and recording tool in VST format, though Image-Line also produces a stand-alone version that does not require FL Studio to run. It is included in the Producer Edition and allows spectral analysis, convolution reverb, loop-recording, and loop-construction, as well as support for cue points.[18][19]


• Fruity Video Player – Included in the Bundle Edition, it allows the composition and synchronization of audio and video.[19]


• Deckadance (often referred to as DD) – a standalone DJ console and mixing program that can also be used in conjunction with FL Studio as a VST plugin. Initially released in May 2007, it was made available starting with the release of FL Studio 7 as an optional part of the download package. Acquired in 2015 by Gibson (Stanton/Cakewalk).[30][31]


• Maximus – Maximus is a multi-band audio limiter and compressor for mastering projects or tracks. It also serves as a noise gate, expander, ducker, and de-esser, and is included in the Bundle edition.[19][32]


• Riff Machine – Self-generates melodies in the piano roll using a randomly selected instrument, with parameter controls for shaping melodies. Introduced in version 9.[16][29]


• Fruity Stereo Shaper – Stereo processor with a mixer for left and right channels and their inverted equivalents and controls for channel delay and phase offset. Introduced in version 9.[16]

Virtual effects[edit]

FL Studio is bundled with a variety of sound processing effects, including common audio effects such as chorus, compression, delay, flanger, phaser, reverb, equalization, vocoding, maximization, and limiting.[18]

• Gross Beat – A time, pitch, volume, and sidechain manipulation effect plugin.[16]


• Hardcore Guitar Effects Suite – A multi-effects suite of plugins designed to resemble guitarists' stompboxes, which works for any instrument.[19]


• Juice Pack – A collection of proprietary plugins ported to VST format for use in other music hosts. The contents of this pack has changed since its release; at the time of this writing it includes the Delay, Delay Bank, EQUO, Flangus, LovePhilter, Multiband Compressor, Notebook, Parametric EQ, Parametric EQ 2, Spectroman, Stereo Enhancer, Vocoder, Wave Candy, and Wave Shaper plugins.[33][34]


• Fruity Vocoder – A real-time vocoder effect.[16]


• Vocodex – An advanced vocoder included in the Producer Edition of version 10 onward.[16][19]


• NewTone – A pitch correction and time manipulation editor that allows for slicing, correcting, and editing vocals, instrumentals, and other recordings. Introduced as a demo with version 10.[35]


• Pitcher – Serves as a real-time pitch correction, manipulation, and harmonization tool for creating or correcting 4 voice harmonies under MIDI control from a keyboard or the piano roll. Introduced as a demo with version 10.[35]


• Patcher – Free plugin for chain effects that can then be quickly uploaded in new projects.[35]


• ZGameEditor Visualizer – Free visualization effect plugin based on the open source ZGameEditor, with movie rendering capability.[35]

Samplers[edit]

• DirectWave Sampler – A software sampler that provides sample recording, waveform editing, and DSP effects (works for both VST and live instruments).[19]


• SliceX – A beat-slicing sampler for processing and re-arranging recorded drumloops, included in the Producer Edition.[19]

Synthesizers[edit]