FL Studio 20 Getting Started Manual

3. How do you use patterns? While it’s cool to make a bunch of patterns, it’s not particularly

useful to play a single loop over and over. The idea is to place these patterns in the Playlist

(page 30). All the note & step data visible in the

Channel Rack is known as a 'pattern'. You can

switch to a new pattern with the Pattern selector

panel on the Tool Bar or use the Picker Panel.

When you do this, the data visible in the current

Pattern will change to show the selected

pattern. To hear only that pattern (rather than

the whole Playlist) make sure the switch at the front of the Transport Panel is in ‘Pattern’ mode

(lit). Once you have made a bunch of Patterns, select the pattern using the pattern selector (or

the Playlist Clip selector), then left click on a blank area of the Playlist (use the pencil ) to

place it in the Playlist as Pattern Clip. NOTE: Be aware Snap controls how Clips can be

moved and placed, Line mode is usually best as it changes snap sensitivity with Zoom level.

4. Play with the Channel Controls. After you've set up the pattern, try playing with the Channel

Controls on the left. The two round knobs control the pan and volume of each Channel. Pan

moves the sound from left to right in the stereo field. The green box to the right of each button

switches the Channel on and off. To reset a knob to its default position, right-click it and select

‘reset’. If you move these controls while Record and Play are activated you can record their

movement, we call this ‘Automation’, more on page 63.

5. Make Your Own Beat. Don't like the beat above? Good, you have taste! It’s time to make your

own beat. In the following sections, we'll teach you how to load new samples, set up melodies,

and change the sound of each Channel (and even each step).

Change pattern

Arrangements are like

multiple Playlists

Use pencil or

brush mode

Learn what

‘Snap’ does

Play here

Left-click on the blank areas to

add the selected pattern

Click in the Picker Panel to select a Pattern OR drag-and-drop

to the Playlist

Select Patterns, Audio Clips

or Automation Clips