Image-Line FL Studio 20

F
ew software
applications can claim
the sort of cultural
cachet that FL Studio
has. Originally
launched as
FruityLoops – a title
it’s often still colloquially known by –
and inspired by Propellerhead’s
much-loved Rebirth app, the
loop-sequencer-turned-DAW holds a
near-iconic status for a certain
generation of producers, particularly
in hip-hop and EDM realms. However,
while it undoubtedly has legions of
of the software now automatically own
upgrades to version 20 on both
platforms. Because of this – and
some excellent new features, which
we’ll come to later – version 20 is a
complete no-brainer for existing
users. What about newcomers
though? In 2018, does the DAW
formerly known as FruityLoops still
have enough about it to tempt Mac
users into the fold?
Coming to FL Studio for the fi rst
time from another DAW can be a
slightly jarring experience. While the
application has come on a long way
from its early days as a basic loop
sequencer – it easily holds its own
against rival DAWs on the feature
front – it still shows its roots in its
layout and workfl ow. Whereas the
bulk of mainstream DAWs see users
work across a single timeline or
workspace, FL Studio splits creative,
mixing and arrangement duties into
independent sections, each with its
own UI window.
The main arrangement space is
known as the Playlist, which is used
to sequence patterns of audio, MIDI
and automation which are created in
the Channel Rack. This latter section
is also used for selecting instruments
and plugins as well as routing audio
to the Mixer. Each instrument in the
Rack gets its own simple X0X-style
step sequencer, which can be
expanded to a pop-out piano roll for
more complex sequencing duties.
Audio from the Channel Rack is
then routed to the Mixer, where each
track gets its own channel strip
complete with insert plugin slots for
effects processing. Unusually, Mixer
tracks in FL Studio aren’t bound to
specifi c tracks in the Playlist, but are
only linked to instrument routings
coming from the Channel Rack.
Similarly, Patterns aren’t limited to
making use of just one instrument in
Rack, but can sequence multiple
elements across a single clip. As a
result, it’s possible to think of
arrangement, creation and mixing as
independent workfl ow elements.
This fragmented creative
approach has pros and cons. For one,
fans, historically FL Studio has been
a PC-only affair.
All that changes with FL Studio
20 (which, confusingly is actually
version 13, but titled for the
software’s 20th anniversary). The
headline feature here is a native
64-bit Mac version, meaning that FL
Studio can now be used on OS X/
macOS without the need for a clunky
work-around. Pleasingly, licenses are
shared between both Mac and PC
versions. Image-Line already offer
lifetime free upgrades to all FL Studio
users, meaning that all existing users
THE PROS & CONS
+
A proper, native
64-bit Mac version!
Multiple
Arrangements are
really inspiring
and a great
workfl ow addition
Time signature
markers are well
implemented
-
Mac version can’t
currently run as a
VST or Rewire client
UI can still feel
a little cluttered
and imposing
VERSION CHOICES
FL Studio 20 is available in four different versions:
Fruity, Producer, Signature and All Plugins Bundle. The
Fruity edition is the cheapest at 89 euros, and contains
the core functionality but lacks audio capabilities and
some of the more advanced plugins. The Producer and
Signature edition cost 189 and 289 euros respectively
– both have full audio capabilities, but the latter comes
with an increased selection of plugins, including things
like the Pitch & Time editor and Harmless additive
synth. Finally, the All Plugins Bundle comes in at 826
euros and comes with Image-Line’s entire arsenal of
instruments and effects, including things like the
Drumaxx drum machine and Harmor, Morphine and
Toxic Biohazard synths – all of which are excellent, even
if they’re a little on the old side now. Most of the plugin
instruments are available for purchase individually too.
to sequence patterns of audio, MIDI
and automation which are created in
Image Line FL Studio 20 | Reviews
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