FL Studio 20 Getting Started Manual

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3. Buffer Length? You don’t need to worry about most of the settings here yet, but you definitely
should know what the Buffer Length does. The buffer stores audio data from FL Studio before
it's sent to your audio interface. This allows your computer to even out spikes in CPU load, that
can cause audio glitches and crackles. Longer buffers mean lower CPU load and reduced
audio glitching. However, longer buffers can also mean the delay between playing a MIDI
keyboard or tweaking a control in FL Studio and hearing can make FL Studio feel sluggish or
‘laggy’. The ideal buffer with ASIO drivers is between 10 to 20 ms (441 to 882 samples). Some
other things to check…
Is your CPU running at full speed? Do you have some wimpy energy saving/CPU throttling
mode engaged? If you are serious about your music production, then you’ll be prepared to melt
those polar ice caps. While we like Polar Bears as much as the next guy, we are sorry, those
icebergs are just going to have to melt, just a little, for the sake of art. Don't feel so bad, Polar
Bears would eat your head if they had the chance, which they will if the ice-caps move any
closer to the equator. Consider this 'insurance' against Polar Bear plagues sweeping down
from the north eating your loved ones. On Windows - See the Windows 'Start > Settings >
Control panel > System & maintenance** > Power Options'. ** Whether or not this sub-
menu shows depends on your windows settings. Set your power management to 'High
performance mode'.
Smart Disable - Enable Smart disable on the Audio Settings and then run the Tools Menu
> Macros > Switch smart disable for all plugins. This will disable effects & instruments when
they are not making any sound and can significantly decrease CPU usage. NOTE: Smart
Disable is active only during live playback, it is temporarily disabled when rendering (exporting
audio).
The term 'Soundcard' can be confusing. It comes from the days when most
computers had a separate soundcard. These days most use a chip on the
motherboard, or it may be an external device connected by USB. A better
term is ‘Audio Interface’ - any device that makes the sound you hear from
your speakers. The Audio Driver is the software interface between the
operating system and the device. The driver tells FL Studio what
inputs/outputs and what sample-rates the Audio Interface can support.