FL Studio 8

Publisher's description of FL Studio

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FL Studio, formerly known as FruityLoops, is a fully featured, open-architecture music creation and production environment for PC. No extra software is required to produce any style of music, as the complete set of instrument and studio tools is included in the cost of the package. With the included plugins, sounds and tools the user can create complete songs, as well as backing tracks, loops and sizzling beats. Completed songs can be saved to WAV, MP3 or MIDI or .ZIP or native project formats (.FLP).FL Studio utilizes MIDI and DirectSound (internal mixing), 16-bit 44KHz stereo output, and 32-bit floating-point internal mixing. You'll also get support for VST plug-ins, as well as individual panning, volume, pitch, mix, resonance, and cutoff on each note.

New in FL8 are Slicex, FL Synthmaker, Enhanced Edison WAV editor/recorder and Love Philter. Version 8 includes new Slicex drumloop slicing generator plugin, new SynthMaker modular environment, and support for MIDI SysEx input, and basic MMC functions.

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Editor's review of FL Studio

Competition in the world of all-in-one music-creation suites has grown considerably since Fruity Loops first started breaking beats. With a new name and a new interface, FL Studio is reestablishing its place as a full-featured and affordable audio-production program.

The photo-realistic mixing-board interface, littered with small, unlabeled icons and burdened with a confusing file browser, makes the learning curve steeper than it should be. Once you clear that hurdle, though, this enjoyable product will have you making music in no time. The Fruityslicer makes short work of chopping up breaks, and the simple step-based drum machine lets you create your own. You can bind FL Studio to other programs via VSTi and DXi plug-ins. A full selection of software instruments is included so you can start playing immediately. All the usual suspects are there, from vintage, buzzy, analog imitators to wacky sound effects and generic voice samples.

FL Studio offers a tremendous value for what you get. Comparable products cost nearly twice as much. FL Studio's quirky sound generators and interoperability make it a great addition to any studio. Be warned, though: several versions of FL Studio are available, so more features are included as the price goes up.

User reviews of FL Studio

• Average user rating: out of 113 votes
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  FL Studio

  The Best

  by: emperordarius on 31-May-2008 12:03:24 AM

  Pros: It's very easy to use.

  Professional DJ-s use this software.

  Cons: Not free.

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  FL Studio

  complex

  by: dhalsim27 on 27-May-2008 03:12:34 AM

  Pros: I can get going to create minimalistic beat (basic drums only) but anything else is very complicated. I don't have midi and don't want midi, just want to use computer to compose music.

  Cons: old PCs don't like it. Many options and this is supposed to be the simpler one? just to make a simple composition it is very complicated.

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  FL Studio

  Sharp learning curve, but well worth it

  by: Nihilistc313 on 23-Jul-2008 09:19:46 AM

  Pros: This is the most all-around complete music creation production program for such a relatively low price. Other music programs that are equal to FL easily cost much more.

  The absolute control you're given over the entire music making process can't be touched. You can create virtually any kind of music you please, and then tweak it in ways you didn't think were necessary until you tried it.

  The sheer vastness of things you can do to your music are a perfectionist's dream come true. I can't even begin to go into detail here. It's that expansive.

  Cons: On the other hand, I did say it has a sharp learning curve. If you are not prepared to spend a lot of time learning how a real music studio works, then don't bother. The only help you'll get is from online tutorials. There is no 'easy' mode, no cut-and-paste instant-music here, jack. This is real music making, and if total immersion isn't your thing, this program isn't for you. Otherwise, don't be scared off by the trial-and-error process. It is well worth going through.

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  FL Studio

  FL studio

  by: (L)atino on 11-May-2008 05:03:55 PM

  Pros: best software out there...and ITS FREE (well i downloaded from somewhere)

  Was this review helpful? Yes | No (5 of 6 users said yes)

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  FL Studio

  FL is one of the best

  by: hamnitup on 19-Apr-2008 09:39:26 AM

  Pros: The website has many tutorials to help you get started. When you download the program and buy it they give you free upgrades forever. It is chock full of different addons to create whatever sound you are trying to achieve. A great buy! TRY IT!

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