Wikipedia

FL Studio

(Redirected fromFruityloops)
"FruityLoops" redirects here. Not to be confused withFroot Loops.

FL Studio(known asFruityLoopsbefore 2003)[5]is adigital audio workstation(DAW) developed by the Belgian companyImage-Line.It features agraphical user interfacewith a pattern-based[6]music sequencer.It is available in four different editions forMicrosoft WindowsandmacOS.[7]

FL Studio
Original author(s)Didier Dambrin
Developer(s)Image-Line Software
Initial releaseApril 26, 1998;26 years ago(1998-04-26)(as FruityLoops)
Stable release
2024.1.2B / October 29, 2024;26 days ago(2024-10-29)[2]
Written inDelphi,Assembly language[3][4]
Operating systemmacOS,Windows
Available inEnglish, German, French, Spanish, Chinese
TypeDigital audio workstation
LicenseProprietary
Websiteimage-line.com

After their initial purchase, lifetime updates of the software are free to registered users.[8][9]Image-Line also developsFL Studio MobileforAndroid,iOS,macOS,andUniversal Windows Platformdevices.[10]

FL Studio can be used as either aVirtual Studio Technology(VST) orAudio Unit(AU) instrument in other audio workstation programs, and as aReWireclient. Image-Line offers its own VST and AU instruments and audio applications. FL Studio has been used by many notablehip hopandEDMproducers, including9th Wonder,Cardo,Basshunter,Metro Boomin,Hit-Boy,Porter Robinson,Alan Walker,Madeon,Soulja Boy,Southside,Martin Garrix,Avicii,Imanbek,Lex Luger,andDeadmau5.[11][12]

History

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The first version of FruityLoops (1.0.0) was developed by Didier Dambrin and was partially released on December 18, 1997.[13]Its official launch was in early 1998, when it was still a four-channel[14]MIDIdrum machine.[15]Dambrin became Chief Software Architect for the program,[9]and it quickly underwent a series of large upgrades that made it into a popular and complexdigital audio workstation.

Image-Line renamed FruityLoops to FL Studio in mid 2003, after the company's attempt to obtain a US trademark prompted concerns fromKellogg's.[16]and to improve the software's marketability.[5][failed verification]Software piracywas a major issue in the company's early days, and it took nearly 5 years for the company to earn money from users purchasing legitimate licenses.[11]

A macOS-compatible version of FL Studio was released on May 22, 2018.[17]

Overview

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Editions

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FL Studio comes in several editions with different levels of functionality. The free trial version includes all of the program's features, all plugins, and allows users to render project audio toWAV,MIDI,MP3,FLACandOGG.[7]Projects saved while in demo mode, however, can only be opened once FL Studio and its plugins have been registered. Also, instrument presets cannot be saved and the audio output of some instruments is cut out momentarily every few minutes until the program and its plugins have been registered.[18]

Fruity Edition

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The Fruity Edition allows users to access the playlist, piano roll, and event automation features, which allow complex and lengthy arranging and sequencing. There is also VST/ReWire support so that FL Studio can be an instrument in other hosts such asCubase,Sonic Solutions,andLogic.As of version 21.0.3, this edition includes 84 instruments and effects; it does not support audio recording and the use of audio clips.[19]

Producer Edition

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The Producer Edition includes all of the features of the Fruity Edition, as well as full audio recording for internal and external audio and post-production tools. It allows hand-drawing point and curve basedsplines(referred to as "automation clips" ). Plugins include Edison, Slicex (loop slicer and re-arranger),Sytrus,Maximus, Vocodex and Synthmaker. It also allows waveform viewing of audio clips and the ability to add cue points.[20]

Signature Bundle

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This edition includes the Producer Edition plus a series of plugins such as the Fruity Video Player, DirectWave Sampler, Harmless, NewTone, Pitcher, Gross Beat, and the Hardcore Guitar Effects Suite.[20]

All Plugins Edition

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The All Plugins Edition includes the Signature Bundle and extra plugins, particularly synthesizers.

FL Studio Mobile

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On June 21, 2011, Image-Line releasedFL Studio Mobilefor iOS and in April 2013 for Android. Both support the ability to create multi-track projects on mobile devices includingiPod Touches,iPhones,iPads,[10]Android 2.3.3, and higher smartphones and tablets.

Groove/GMM

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Groove, a standaloneGroovebox-style application optimized for touch-based music creation, was released for the Windows 8 store on September 2, 2013, as FL Studio Groove.[21]It was later released on mobile devices as Groove Machine Mobile and temporarily available as a plugin in FL Studio. As of now, it is no longer available for purchase.

FL Cloud

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FL Cloud is a sub-brand launched by Image Line on October 26, 2023, encompassing online products and services for music production, with tools for mastering, music distribution, and accessing a curated selection of audio samples. Its features include:

  • Sounds:Similar to FL Studio FLEX, FL Cloud allows seamless integration of audio samples directly within FL Studio. Content can be downloaded directly into the FL Studio project, eliminating the need for external libraries or manual file management. There are free and subscription options. The subscription option provides access to a wider range of sounds compared to the free version. Alternatively users can purchase non-expiring Download Credits to access the same sample library as available while subscribed.
  • Mastering:FL Cloud offers both free and paid options for professional-grade mastering. The free tier provides basic tools, while the paid subscription unlocks advanced features and additional mastering effects.
  • Music Distribution:Included with the subscription offering, music distribution allows users to directly upload their music to major streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and more.
  • External Plugins:FL Cloud now includes 65+ plugins from UVI, Native Instruments, Minimal Audio, Baby Audio, and more. 10 Plugins are available for free, and 20 with the Plus tier.

[22]

System requirements

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FL Studio processes audio using an internal 32-bitfloating pointengine. It supportssampling ratesup to 192 kHz using eitherWDM- orASIO-enabled drivers.[9]

Windows 7/8/10/11or later (32-bitor64-bitversions), MacOS Version 10.13.6 (High Sierra) or later.[8]

  • Disk space: 4 GB
  • RAM: 4 GB
  • CPU: Intel and Ryzen only, ARM not supported.

Note: More powerful CPU, more Instruments and Effects you can run.

Program features

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  • Version 9.0 introduced support formulti-coreeffects processing and improved support for multi-core instrument processing.[23]
  • Version 10.0, released on March 29, 2011, included a new project browser, fixed some bugs, and smoothed envelope points. It also introduced Patcher, a modular workflow environment capable of chaining together an unlimited number of instruments and effects.[24]
  • Version 11.0, released on April 19, 2013, included multi-touch support, improved tempo automation, new plugins such as BassDrum, GMS, Effector, Patcher, and new piano roll features (VFX Key Mapper, VFX Color Mapper).[25]
  • Version 12.0, released on April 22, 2015, added a new vectorial UI, updated plugins, multi-touch support, a redesigned mixer, improved 32 and 64 bit plugin support and improved file management.[26]
  • Version 20.0, 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 conversion to audio, unlimited playlist arrangements, improved plugin delay compensation, the return of the step sequencer graph editor, In-situ rendering ( "freezing" ), and other improvements.[27]

The mixer interface allows for any number of channel configurations. This allows mixing in 2.1,5.1,or7.1 surround sound,as long as the output hardware interface has an equivalent number of outputs. The mixer also supports audio-in, enabling FL Studio torecord multitrack audio.[28][non-primary source needed]

FL Studio supportsaudio time stretching and pitch scaling,beat slicing,chopping,and editing of audio, and as of version 12.9 it can record up to 125 simultaneous audio tracks.[29][non-primary source needed]Other key features include a digital piano roll. Audio can be imported or exported asWAV,MP3,OGG,FLAC,MIDI,ZIP,or the native project format with an.FLPfilename extension.[9]

The trial allows users to save projects, but does not allow reopening them. Tracks may be exported to any of the available file formats.[30]

Plug-ins

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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.[31]The API has a built inwrapperfor full VST, VST2, VST3,DX,and ReWire compatibility.

Although FL Studio's own plugins are set to be available only in their native format in the future, some of them also function independently as standalone programs and can be purchased in VST format for use with other DAWs.

Virtual effects

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FL Studio is bundled with a variety ofsound processing effects,including common audio effects such aschorus,compression,distortion,delay,flanger,phaser,reverb,gate,equalization,vocoding,maximization, andlimiting.

Synthesizers

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FL Studio's install contains the entirety of native software synthesizers, internally labeled as "generators". Depending on the edition of the program, some will be locked in trial mode until the synth itself or a software upgrade is purchased.

Harmor

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Harmoris Image-Line's flagship synthesizer. Initially released in late 2011 as a successor to Harmless, it was envisioned as a way to work withadditive synthesisthrough an interface typical of subtractive synthesizers. It also includes many functions previously found within individual FL Studio utilities. such as the ability to produce sounds from pictures fed into the synth (known asimage resynthesis).

Sytrus

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Sytrusis an FM synthesizer with an internal effects module and additional wavetable capabilities. Its architecture can let it interface directly with patches fromYamaha DX7units, allowing it to import original SYSEX data.[32]

Dedicated hardware

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As with other DAW developers, Image-Line has collaborated with hardware manufacturers on two occasions, resulting in the release of products branded and compatible with FL Studio.[33]

The first was theAkaiFIRE,a MIDI controller with touch and pressure-sensitive buttons modelled after the software's channel rack pattern editor. Released in 2018, it can be used as a pattern editor, keyboard, drumpad,multi-colour peak visualizerand performance controller. A distinctive feature of the Akai FIRE is that up to 4 units can be connected to a single instance of FL Studio, chained together or with a different mode set for each. It is sold in two variants, one coming without extra software (aimed at existing FL Studio users), and one bundled with an exclusive version of theFruityedition called theFruity Fire Edition.

The latter of these involvements is currently theNovationFL Keyline of controllers. It consists of two redesigned MIDI Keyboards – dubbed theFL Key Miniand theFL Key 37,the latter being larger in keybed and size – originally from Novation's own Launchkey line, modified to have a grey case and an FL Studio-themed RGB lighting palette. They later released theFL Key 61,a larger version with the same features.

Despite some initial traction regarding the AkaiFIRE's unusual velocity implementation, both units have gone on to receive broadly positive reception from the professional press.[34][35]

Reception

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FL Studio has been praised for its simplicity, power, and ease of use.[36][37]Jamie Lendino ofPCMagwrote that "While [FL Studio is] still clearly geared for electronic music production 'in the box,' as opposed to recording live musicians playing acoustic instruments, you can record or create just about any kind of audio project with it."[38]Criticisms include a difficult audio recording system.[39][40]

See also

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References

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  1. ^"Evolution of the FL Studio logo".2021-05-13 – viaFacebook.
  2. ^"History | FL Studio".image-line.com.Image-Line Software.Retrieved2024-10-10.
  3. ^Deahl, Dani (2018-05-23)."Music production software FL Studio is now available for Mac".The Verge.Retrieved2020-04-28.
  4. ^"Image-Line Software Case Study".Embarcadero Technologies.Retrieved2020-04-28.
  5. ^ab"History".FL Studio.Archivedfrom the original on 2011-10-26.Retrieved2015-12-13.
  6. ^"Working with Patterns in FL Studio 20".MusicTech.2018-09-05.Retrieved2020-05-12.
  7. ^ab"What is FL Studio?".image-line.com.Image-Line Software.Retrieved2011-05-28.
  8. ^ab"FL Studio Overview".image-line.com.Image-Line Software.Retrieved2011-05-28.
  9. ^abcd"FL Studio Video".OVGuide. Archived fromthe originalon 2012-03-17.Retrieved2011-05-28.
  10. ^ab"FL Studio Mobile".image-line.com.Image-Line Software.Retrieved2011-05-28.
  11. ^abWeiss, Dan (2016-10-12)."The Unlikely Rise of FL Studio, The Internet's Favorite Production Software".Vice.Retrieved2020-05-12.
  12. ^"Power Users".www.image-line.com.Archived fromthe originalon 2019-04-02.Retrieved2020-05-12.
  13. ^"FL Studio 1.0".www.image-line.com.Retrieved2020-05-12.
  14. ^Silva, Joe."Review: Image-Line FL Studio 8".Music Tech Magazine.Archived fromthe originalon 2013-04-21.Retrieved2011-05-28.
  15. ^Ahmed, Insanul (2010-06-12)."Review: Producer Lex Luger Talks About Working With Rick Ross & Waka Flocka".Archived fromthe originalon 2012-09-25.Retrieved2020-04-22.All I needed is Fruity Loops, my laptop, and my headphones, and I'm going in.
  16. ^McGlynn, Declan (2020-04-20)."How FL Studio changed electronic music forever".DJMag.com.Retrieved2020-05-12.
  17. ^Deahl, Dani (2018-05-23)."Music production software FL Studio is now available for Mac".The Verge.Retrieved2020-05-12.
  18. ^"Limitations in demo version".image-line.com.Image-Line Software.Retrieved2014-02-12.
  19. ^Studio, F. L."Compare Features and Pricing - Editions".FL Studio.Retrieved2023-06-11.
  20. ^ab"Editions".image-line.com.Image-Line Software.Retrieved2015-04-26.
  21. ^"FL Studio Groove App".image-line.com.Image-Line Software.Retrieved2013-09-02.
  22. ^"FL Cloud".www.image-line.com.Retrieved2023-11-16.
  23. ^FL STUDIO by Image-line (2009-09-18),FL Studio 9 Introductory video,archivedfrom the original on 2021-11-10,retrieved2018-01-12
  24. ^"FL Studio 10 is here!".Retrieved2018-01-12.
  25. ^"FL Studio 11 Out Now!".Retrieved2018-01-12.
  26. ^"Announcing FL Studio 12".22 April 2015.Retrieved1 July2016.
  27. ^"FL STUDIO 20 Released!".www.image-line.com.7 May 2018.Retrieved2020-05-12.
  28. ^"Mixer Explained".www.image-line.com.Retrieved2018-01-12.
  29. ^"FL Studio 12.9 BETA 1 [Expires 15th Jan 2018] - Image-Line".forum.image-line.com.Retrieved2018-01-12.
  30. ^"Version Features".www.image-line.com.Retrieved2018-01-12.
  31. ^Kirn, Peter (31 March 2010)."Image-Line FL Studio 9: Creative Jump-Starter Like No Other".Keyboard Magazine.Future Publishing.Archived fromthe originalon 2011-05-12.
  32. ^"Sytrus - Instrument".www.image-line.com.Retrieved2022-09-27.
  33. ^"MIDI Controllers".FL Studio.Retrieved2022-09-27.
  34. ^Truss, Si (2019-02-04)."Akai Professional Fire review".MusicRadar.Retrieved2022-09-27.
  35. ^Jones, Hollin."Novation FLkey 37 & FLkey Mini review: Excellent controllers for FL Studio with deep project integration".MusicTech.Retrieved2022-09-27.
  36. ^"How FL Studio changed electronic music forever".DJMag.com.2020-04-20.Retrieved2020-05-12.
  37. ^"How to Use FL Studio | Sweetwater".inSync.2020-04-23.Retrieved2020-05-12.
  38. ^"Image-Line FL Studio Review".PCMAG.Retrieved2020-05-12.
  39. ^August 2018, Si Truss 19 (19 August 2018)."Image-Line FL Studio 20 review".MusicRadar.Retrieved2020-05-12.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  40. ^"Image Line FL Studio".www.soundonsound.com.Retrieved2020-05-12.
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