FL Studio 20 Getting Started Manual

INSTRUMENTS - FROM SAMPLERS TO SYNTHESIZERS

Until now we've only been playing mainly with Sampler Channels. Useful but fairly basic as far as

sound generation goes. FL Studio also supports Channels that contain sounds made in real time by

software synthesizers like MiniSynth, GMS, 3xOSC, Harmor etc.. To use the proper terminology,

every Channel contains a plugin Instrument, sometimes more broadly called a ‘generator’ as some

generate automation data rather than sound. Instruments can either be a sample (in a Sampler

Channel, FPC etc), a synthesizer plugin, or some other type of instrument in combination with the

effects in the Channel Settings window. The combination of these Instruments with the sample

Channels gives FL Studio unlimited sonic potential.

1. Adding a Synthesizer Channel. There are many ways to do this. You can use the Add menu

or open the Browser > Plugin database > Generators and drag a plugin from there and drop

it on the Channel Rack or Mixer track. You can also download and install many FREE VST

instrument plugins from the web too.

2. What to Expect. The new Channel button will appear in the Channel Rack and the Instrument's

graphical user interface (GUI) will appear when you click it.

3. How Do I Use them? It's important to know that most Instruments have their own help.

Pressing F1 in FL Studio will open the help to whatever was last clicked (FL Studio, a window

in FL Studio or a Plugin). If you are new to music production we would suggest starting with:

3xOSC, MiniSynth and GMS (in that order). These can be used to make just about any

professional sounding synth sound you can imagine BUT are simple enough that you won’t be

tearing your hair out. NOTE: Not all instruments are included, some are demos. BUT don’t

worry there are heaps of free ones (in fact most are). If a plugin says DEMO along the top of

the window, then it’s an additional purchase.

Click here to load a new

Instrument Channel

Click the Plugin

Database and

drag-and-drop

Synths on a

Mixer track or

the Channel

Rack.