FL Studio and other Hosts

[Qaiphyx]

You've all probably seen this question plenty of times, but Ive been using fruityloops for a decent amount of time now, but it seems a bit difficult for me to make good sounds and good songs with it. So I guess my question is that is fruityloops a pretty legit Host, or are there hosts that will give me the higher form of professionalism that im looking for? And just in case you were thinking, no I dont think that im professional yet, but its like fruityloops only gives me a certain potential to work with. Im not sure how to explain it.

Thanks
Qaiphyx

[smart]

It's all about your mindset. You can make great music with just about any host as long as you know how to use it.

[Ford Prefect]

Experiment, experiment, experiment...
Just because you're using a powerful computer and complex software doesn't mean you can immediately get satisfying results...Every idea I have starts in FL Studio because it's perfect for translating what's in my head...Perhaps it's not the same for you...Maybe your sample collection needs building...and remember the piano roll is your friend...

[Teksonik]

I can't imagine anything in FL Studio that would hold someone back in terms of quality results and the new version 5 sounds like it will be another big step forward.
I'm finding that using Energy XT as a vst inside FL Studio is a very powerful combination. I'm also spending more time with the Energy XT standalone program and I'm finding it to be a powerful application on it's own and getting more powerful each day. I guess it all comes down to workflow. I love FL Studio's workflow but to each his own. I would suggest trying the demo versions of Energy XT and (gasp) Orion Platinum to see if they suit your workflow better.

[Spe3D]

FL 5 will make a big impact with regards to automation, by the looks of it the AutoClips will put automation into a very easy way to understand and use.

I doubt they will change the rendering – you really cant get any higher in quality imo,

Consider looking at Tractition too, and see how you get on with that, I was quite surprised when I tried it, goes well with EnergyXT

My advice would be to wait and see what FL5's update is like, before buying anything else.

Best regards,

Spe3d

[JaseisMusic]

You've all probably seen this question plenty of times, but Ive been using fruityloops for a decent amount of time now, but it seems a bit difficult for me to make good sounds and good songs with it. So I guess my question is that is fruityloops a pretty legit Host, or are there hosts that will give me the higher form of professionalism that im looking for? And just in case you were thinking, no I dont think that im professional yet, but its like fruityloops only gives me a certain potential to work with. Im not sure how to explain it.

Thanks
Qaiphyx

Explain a little better, what way do you feel limited? are you talking about using just the included synths and sounds or something else?

[Hink]

I agree with spe3d but alos would add that if you can't make good music with Fl as it is now, I doubt it's the software's fault. I'm not trying to sound cold or like an ass, but trust me, good...scratch that great music can be made by FL...if you have problems or questions feel free to ask here or on FL...but the biggest limitation of most software is the user...

[Qaiphyx]

Wow, thanks for all the replies everyone. Yah I guess fruitloops doesn't really limit me at all, I think Im just not that great at turning plugins in to really good sounds and stuff. And yah i think my sample library is lacking, i was just using the basic fruityloops sounds for the most part. Now that Ive found this site though Im sure Ill be able to broaden my samples. I guess I should stick with fruityloops, expecially when 5 comes out. Ill have to get that for sure, ive already tried Sonar and Cubase, FLS is just so much easier that it doesnt really make much sense to use anything else. Except maybe that Energy XT, that sounds like a good idea ill try that out. So anyways, yah I think its just that im not very good at getting good sounds with the plugins, Im sure ill get better at them in time though. If anyways has any tips on getting good sounds on plugins do share though.

Thanks
Qaiphyx

[Carbonboy]

...I think Im just not that great at turning plugins in to really good sounds and stuff. And yah i think my sample library is lacking, ...
Thanks
Qaiphyx

From the sound of it (no pun intended) it seem to me that FL may just not ship with the kind of sounds/samples you arelooking for.

Changing hosts isn't a particularly good way of solving this issue...you have at least two options...

FREE: http://www.e-officedirect.com/samplefus ... rames.html , there's Gigs of free samples for registered users.

PAY: for a VST sampler + library.

assuming 'samples' is what you need.

Carb.

[Qaiphyx]

Yah youre probably right about that carb, thanks for the link, itll probably come to good use. Thanks man, oh and by any chance do you live in Carbon, just a wild shot, im sure you mean the molecule.

Qaiphyx

[Genycis]

Qaiphyx,

I used to think that FL was a very limited tool to use also, but I started to get more into it myself. I know I'm new to these boards, but not new to sites like www.futureproducers.com and such.

Anyhow, I've been using it for 2 years now to make hiphop beats with. I've been judgemental against it in the past but tried it again to see what I could do. Timing and the learning curve were great, and in a matter of a few months, I was starting to sell beats to up and coming artists.. key is as Carbonboy said, the sounds that come with it aren't great. It further forced me to look out there, and then familiarize myself with the soundfont player. I used to use soundfonts on Cakewalk before I touched FL, so I figured to invest. The use of it even furthered me to start creating my own soundfonts to use on my tracks... I've gotten decent feedback and even started selling my soundfonts due to request. They're on the site if you're interested.

I've been doing decent tracks with FL now... you can peep what I've done with it if you wish at www.soundclick.com/genycis, or at www.genycis.com where there are some beats as well. FL is a great tool, and the more you use it and learn, the more you'll be impressed with it. Reason is good too, although I hate the inability to use plugin VST and VSTi's on it. I can't wait for FL5 to come out myself. Sounds are important, but so are the learning of the plugin effects and filters, plays a very important key to making your drums and other instruments sound better. Keep at it though, don't get discouraged. I'm glad I didn't quit and kept at it too. Good luck to you with everything.. I have AOL if you need any little tips, but please, read the manual first as well if you're not familiar with the basics of it. Thanks, and take care.

Genycis

[thefuzmixman]

For the longest time, i totally felt your pain. I just thought fl didn't sound right. Then, i was introduced to a guy who wrote professional quality industrial music with just fl studio. His mixes were just unreal, so i asked him how he did it. He basically explained to me the importance of channel equalization and how it works to seperate your sounds in the mix. I'd say that if you don't already have a good understanding of how equalization works, study up on it. Get a book or search google. Paul White is a pretty good author.

Make sure every channel has its own mixer track and don't use a lot of seperate eq plugins. Try use the track eq to get the sound you need. when something isn't sitting right in the mix, don't immediately use compression to try and bring it out. Compression is a very useful tool, but can really mess up a mix if used too much or improperly. 9/10 times i can get the sound settled in the mix from fruity's track eq alone. I just had to understand how it works. If all else fails and you just get stuck, don't be afraid to change your sound.

Now, i don't know what type of music you write, but chances are that if you are using fruity loops, you heavily rely on synths. Do you know how the synths you use actually work, or are you just messing with it till something sound right? I did some briefing studying up on sythesis and the different types of synthesizers and it helped me to gain a better understanding of how the soft synths in fruity work.
After some time, however i because a bit weary of them. In addition to simsynth and the dx10, in my arsonal of synths/virtual instruments i use these.


-Linplug Albino
-Moun Tau Pro
-Pentagon 1
-camel audio
-Synapse Scorpion
-Edirol Orchestra
-Intakt

I also recently invested in the Korg Legacy collection in search of more accurate hardware simulators. I wasn't let down either.


Im sure if you are writing hiphop or mainly focusing on beats in general, you really really dont need to use all that software, but i write complicated music and my needs have grown over time as will yours. Purchasing a ton of different softsynths can be kind of redundant since most will likely be able to achieve the same sounds, but find a few that you like and stick with them.

In my own opinion, fl studio is the most versatile host i've ever used and i've seriously tried them all. What it boils down to is the way it allows you to compose your melodies. Nothing let's me get as complex and it's all so damn intuative.


Btw, the stock samples suck! Everyone here is right. Just delete them all! lol. at least the percussion samples do. get some good kits to replace them.

[Wopelka]

the host is just a tool

if you don't make good music with it, don't blame the tool but the workman

[Genycis]

the host is just a tool

if you don't make good music with it, don't blame the tool but the workman

VERY IMPORTANT QUOTE INDEED! I couldn't agree with this more since people that think that just because they have hardware, that they will sound 10 times greater than the experienced person would with something like FL or Reason. It's definitely MORE to the workman than the tool.. .the tool may help, BUT, the workman has to learn it and want to improve 24/7. Great comment indeed! I used to let hardware users discourage me.. but now, I'm discouraging some hardware users into going software. ha ha.. it's all in how you use it! Peace.

Genycis

[smart]

You might just need something like SampleTank2 so you have new instruments to work with.