Buzz
This tutorial will guide you through the process of creating a basic beat in FL Studio 12. Despite the seemingly complex interface of FL Studio, you can utilize the built-in channel rack and piano keyboard to produce a straightforward hip-hop- or R&B-style beat.
Steps
Setting Up Your Project
Launch FL Studio. Double-click the FL Studio application icon, which resembles a yellow pepper. This action will open the FL Studio window.
Access the FILE button. It's located in the top-left corner of the window. This action will display a drop-down menu.
Choose New from template from the menu. You'll locate this option in the center of the drop-down menu, prompting a pop-out menu to appear to the right.
Opt for Minimal from the pop-out menu. This selection is available within the pop-out menu, leading to another pop-out menu upon selection.
Click on Basic. This action is located in the final pop-out menu, initiating the creation of a new project in FL Studio with a basic interface instead of the more intricate one.
Adding Channels and Instruments
Include empty channels in your project. To add instruments to your track, you must first position them in the channel rack:
- Press the ＋ button under the 'Channel rack' section.
- Select (none) from the top of the displayed menu.
- Repeat this process until you have an adequate number of channels.
Expand the 'Packs' directory. Click on the 'Packs' folder located on the left side of the window.
Choose an instrument. Below the 'Packs' folder, you will find various folders; click on one (e.g., Drums) that interests you.
Access an instrument's sub-folder if needed. Several instrument folders contain additional sub-folders for specific instruments.
Preview an instrument. Locate the instrument you wish to use, then click on it once to listen to its sound. If you're satisfied with the instrument, proceed.
- If you're not pleased with the instrument, find another one before proceeding.
Drop the instrument onto an empty channel. This action will place the instrument in the channel rack.
Shut down the instrument's window. Simply click the X in the corner of the instrument's master window to close it.
Continue until you've included all your instruments. Once you've added all the instruments you want in your channel rack, you can proceed to add the bass.
- You can always add more channels and instruments later or replace an existing instrument with a new one.
Organizing Drums and Bass
Decide on the drums you wish to use. If you've only placed one drum in your channel rack, select that instrument. However, many beats utilize a combination of drums (e.g., hat, snare, and kick), so you'll need to choose the primary bass sound and then proceed from there.
Right-click on the name of a drum. This action will bring up a drop-down menu.
Click on Piano roll. This option is located at the top of the drop-down menu. You will see the piano keyboard interface appear.
Locate the correct note for your instrument. Scroll up or down while clicking different keys on the keyboard until you find the appropriate note for your bass.
Compose a rhythm. Click to the right of the piano key representing the note you wish to use, then drag the far-right side of the colored bar that appears left or right to adjust its length.
- Each dark vertical bar in the piano view represents half a second.
- For a typical rap or R&B rhythm, you'll want every other bar filled.
Include a melody if necessary. If you desire different notes in your rhythm, scroll up or down to select another note, then add the rhythm markers as previously described.
Delete a beat if necessary. If you mistakenly placed a beat marker in the wrong position, you can simply right-click on it to remove it.
- You can also adjust beat markers by clicking and dragging them horizontally or vertically.
Repeat this process with other drums in your channel rack. Once you're content with the underlying bass in your track, you can proceed to add the final component of your beat.
Integrating Instrument Tracks
Identify your primary instrument. Primary instruments can range from conventional ones like a piano to synthesizers and various sound effects.
Right-click on the instrument's name. This action will bring up a drop-down menu.
Choose Piano roll. This option is located at the top of the drop-down menu. A new blank piano interface will appear.
Sketch out your instrument's rhythm. Just as you did with the bass, click on the squares to the right of the desired notes to choose them.
Repeat this procedure with other instruments if needed. If your composition involves multiple instruments like piano and violin, for instance, close the piano interface, right-click on the violin, select Piano roll, and repeat the process as required.
- You can adjust the volume of individual instruments by dragging the dials to the left of the instrument's track in the channel rack up or down.
Exporting Your Beat
Click on FILE. Located in the upper-left corner of the window, this will display a drop-down menu.
Choose Export. Look for this option towards the bottom of the FILE drop-down menu. Clicking on it will bring up a pop-out menu.
Tap on MP3. Located in the pop-out menu, this action will open the 'Save As' window.
Provide a name for your beat. Input the desired name for your beat.
Choose a save location. Click on a folder located on the left side of the window.
Press Save. Located at the lower-right corner of the window.
Tap on Start. Located at the bottom of the pop-up window. Your beat will be saved as an MP3 file.
- Exporting your beat may take FL Studio several minutes, particularly if the beat is complex.
Pointers
- Many hip-hop beats follow a 4/4 pattern, where each fourth step includes a drum beat. You can replicate this pattern in the channel rack by clicking every fourth box for your chosen drum.
Cautionary Notes
- Don't feel overwhelmed by the complexity of FL Studio's interface. Once you become familiar with its layout, using the software becomes much more manageable.
