Use FL Studio as a “normal” DAW

[maggot22]

Doubt unless the Linux userbase grows considerably to something of economic value.

more and more companies make their software compatible with Linux, Image-Line could increase their userbase a bit more, i hope Image-Line will do this to someday, i basically keep Windows only for FL and gaming

[TS-12]

For me it only creates a new track in playlist when I drag a preset of a synth into a track, but if I just drag a synth it won’t create a track.

Also when I drag a new preset on top of the track to replace the preset, instead of replacing it creates a new track

[sjm]

So you say when you record midi you first record in the pattern editor then place it into playlist ? cuz It’s not possible to record directly to playlist ?

Here's how to record MIDI:

1. Hit F4 to add a pattern.
2. Hit record (and make sure you have set FL to record the notes)
3. Play the part.

If you don't manually place the pattern in the playlist, it will be put there for you.

Even though it will create patterns when I record into playlist in song mode, I can just hide and ignore patterns right ? And do all the recording and editing in the playlist arrangement. correct ?

No, patterns are like clips. You need to have something in the playlist, or there will be no content in your song. The only difference is that in FL, you can put these patterns/clips anywhere in the playlist. You don't have to put them on the same lane for the same instrument. But you are free to do so. And the new-fangled tracks are an attempt to integrate this workflow in FL, though personally I don't see the point.


Given that the questions you are asking suggest that you don't really understand how the channel rack, the playlist and the mixer tie together, I would strongly suggest that you take the time to read the manual and watch some beginner tutorials until you understand at least those basics. You will save yourself a lot of time and confusion. These are the absolute basics of how the software works, and there is no lack of tutorials out there.

Then, when you've understood that, you might want to look into the new instrument/audio tracks. But these are still built on top of the same foundations as always. So you should still understand how the software works.

[TS-12]

So you say when you record midi you first record in the pattern editor then place it into playlist ? cuz It’s not possible to record directly to playlist ?

Here's how to record MIDI:

1. Hit F4 to add a pattern.
2. Hit record (and make sure you have set FL to record the notes)
3. Play the part.

If you don't manually place the pattern in the playlist, it will be put there for you.

Even though it will create patterns when I record into playlist in song mode, I can just hide and ignore patterns right ? And do all the recording and editing in the playlist arrangement. correct ?

No, patterns are like clips. You need to have something in the playlist, or there will be no content in your song. The only difference is that in FL, you can put these patterns/clips anywhere in the playlist. You don't have to put them on the same lane for the same instrument. But you are free to do so. And the new-fangled tracks are an attempt to integrate this workflow in FL, though personally I don't see the point.


Given that the questions you are asking suggest that you don't really understand how the channel rack, the playlist and the mixer tie together, I would strongly suggest that you take the time to read the manual and watch some beginner tutorials until you understand at least those basics. You will save yourself a lot of time and confusion. These are the absolute basics of how the software works, and there is no lack of tutorials out there.

Then, when you've understood that, you might want to look into the new instrument/audio tracks. But these are still built on top of the same foundations as always. So you should still understand how the software works.

Thank you so much.
Yes I’m new to FL 20. I used FL like 15 years ago when it was version 3 or something back then.
I mostly have been using Cubase so I’m used to linear workflow

[xbitz]

^^^ then first watch this https://www.sonicacademy.com/courses/to ... autoplay=1 seems you're in the same shituation after this one please

[antic604]

Yes I’m new to FL 20. I used FL like 15 years ago when it was version 3 or something back then.I mostly have been using Cubase so I’m used to linear workflow.

Why you insist on trying FL, then? At least for the time being you need to adjust to its weird (but super powerful in right hands!) idiosyncratic workflow. There've been rumours of big re-work that's being done for 21 to make it more "normal", but we'll have to wait & see what it actually is. If you pick a DAW and work against its core principles (like deliberate separation of rack, pattern sequencer, playlist & mixer if FL) you'll never get very far and even then you'll end up frustrated and uninspired...

Perhaps try Live or Bitwig instead, as they're both much closer to "linear" workflow of Cubase, their clip launchers can be completely ignored and their other features - powerful chaining & modulation / modular systems - can be still taken advantage of.

[kingozrecords]

Using tracks in the conventional scheme is counter-productive. Due to the fact that you can copy by holding shift and take a given piano roll in the playlist view and follow that by pressing make unique. Once you do it' automatically given a new piano roll and track assignment. However, assuming that you've selected your fx rack for your instrument that will stay the same.

What you're complaining about is actually a genius addition made to save time. Imagine having to say the same thing to everyone you met, hi hi hi hi hi hi hi - wouldn't you want to say hello once in a while? Do you really want to press ctrl+a and make a new piano roll to paste into, hello?

[antic604]

Using tracks in the conventional scheme is counter-productive. Due to the fact that you can copy by holding shift and take a given piano roll in the playlist view and follow that by pressing make unique. Once you do it' automatically given a new piano roll and track assignment. However, assuming that you've selected your fx rack for your instrument that will stay the same.

What you're complaining about is actually a genius addition made to save time. Imagine having to say the same thing to everyone you met, hi hi hi hi hi hi hi - wouldn't you want to say hello once in a while? Do you really want to press ctrl+a and make a new piano roll to paste into, hello?

I think you're confusing 2 things. OP wasn't complainign about alias / linked / instanced clips, or whatever it's called in FL. Cubase that he uses also has this.

[sjm]

Furthermore, it's probably just going to confuse the OP even more, given that cloning a pattern will preserve everything in the source pattern (note data, events) and mixer routing is not a pattern property, but set in the channel rack.

You can move that pattern to another instrument track, and it will still play on the same instrument as before. This is not how other DAWs work. The new instrument/audio tracks are just an organisational feature, they don't actually affect how the routing works (which is the same as it always was).

[Murky]

If you have setup your midi interface and midi controllers It should be as simple as, in Song mode:
Drag a synth to Track 1.
Press Record button. If you get a popup, select "Notes and Automation".
Press Play button to start recording.
Play keyboard.
Press Stop button to stop.
Midi data is in Track 1.

[kingozrecords]

Using tracks in the conventional scheme is counter-productive. Due to the fact that you can copy by holding shift and take a given piano roll in the playlist view and follow that by pressing make unique. Once you do it' automatically given a new piano roll and track assignment. However, assuming that you've selected your fx rack for your instrument that will stay the same.

What you're complaining about is actually a genius addition made to save time. Imagine having to say the same thing to everyone you met, hi hi hi hi hi hi hi - wouldn't you want to say hello once in a while? Do you really want to press ctrl+a and make a new piano roll to paste into, hello?

I think you're confusing 2 things. OP wasn't complainign about alias / linked / instanced clips, or whatever it's called in FL. Cubase that he uses also has this.

What's he's suggesting is that it should just be added rather than being a pattern. But I'm saying patterns can be grabbed with a mouse and even copied, made unique.

[antic604]

What's he's suggesting is that it should just be added rather than being a pattern. But I'm saying patterns can be grabbed with a mouse and even copied, made unique.

I understand what you're saying, therefore I say you're confusing things (by trying to justify why OP should be confused). He's complaining about the lack of immediate connection between rack, patterns, playlist and mixer. Power of linked / alias / instantiated clips can be used with such a connection being in place in other DAWs.

[Trancit]

...He's complaining about the lack of immediate connection between rack, patterns, playlist and mixer....

Which isn´t an issue anymore since the implementation of Audio/Instrument tracks... if you know how to use them properly...
The next updates will step by step enhance the playlist workflow as a whole with
- being able to record Midi directly into the playlist instead just into the Channel rack (while this is already possible with a little trick)...
- being able to select (multiple) playlist tracks and do actions to them at once ...and much more...

At the very end there will not be much difference between the workflow of a linear DAW and what you have optional in FLS...
So FLS will be 2 (or in this comparison rather 3) DAWs in one (like Bitwig/Ableton, while as FLS contains already a clip launcher too, so it´s for FLS more being 3 in 1 ) where you can choose between a linear or (2 different) "nonlinear" workflow(s) or a mixture of both (or three)...

Power of linked / alias / instantiated clips can be used with such a connection being in place in other DAWs.

It´s really funny...
- People using FLS are claiming about having to make every pattern unique when wanting to change something
- People using linear DAWs are claiming for being able to link clips that changes affects all together...

What you do... you cannot make it right!!

[antic604]

Which isn´t an issue anymore since the implementation of Audio/Instrument tracks... if you know how to use them properly...

I'm aware of that. But at this stage the connection breaks very easily and you're left out with even more mess than you'd do "manually". I tried the demo like 3-4 times during the recent discount

Looking forward to v21, though! Although I fear the changes they'd need to introduce to make it work reliably like a "normal" DAW would upset the "traditional" FL workflow too much - you'd baically need to split it in 2 applications. And furthermore, I'm not sure it's even worth it?! As I said the FL workflow has its merits & can be very powerful if one "gives in" to it and is not forcing the "normal" workflow on it. It's like someone would insist on using Bitwig to multi-track a rock band or an orchestra, without using any of its modular & sound-design features. That's a sure & short way to frustration and dissapointment.

[Trancit]

... But at this stage the connection breaks very easily and you're left out with even more mess than you'd do "manually"....

What do you mean???