Buzz
Easily establish mixer tracks for instruments, samples, and clips
If you're new to FL Studio, the built-in mixer might seem overwhelming. In addition to the master track, you can add up to 125 insert tracks to the mixer, each capable of receiving input from a plugin or external audio source. However, unlike other DAWs, adding clips to your playlist in FL Studio does not automatically create mixer tracks for your instruments and audio. Fortunately, it's simple to add new mixing lines so you can adjust the levels of each clip or instrument individually. This guide will outline three straightforward methods to add mixing lines for audio in FL Studio 20 and 21.
Essential Points to Consider
- To add a clip to a new mixer track, select the clip in your playlist, then press Cmd + L (Mac) or Ctrl + L (PC).
- To add a mixer track for an instrument, simply right-click the playlist track name and select an instrument.
- If you're using a Channel Rack, select the instrument in the rack, then use Cmd + L (Mac) or Ctrl + L (PC) to add a mixer line for that instrument.
Procedures
Integrating Audio Clips into Mixer Tracks
Access the Playlist window within your FL Studio project. If not already open, you can do so by pressing F5 on your keyboard or navigating to View and selecting Playlist.
Double-click on the desired clip to include it in the mixer. This could be any audio clip, such as a sample, bassline, or drum track.
- If you've prepared a track for recording but haven't started yet, right-click on the playlist track designated for recording, choose Assign to new mixer track(s), and select a mixer track number instead.
Press ⌘ Cmd+L (Mac) or Ctrl+L (PC). Use this handy keyboard shortcut to instantly assign the selected clip to the first available mixer channel. The name of the clip will now appear at the top of the selected mixer channel instead of 'Insert (number).'
- If you prefer to specify a particular mixer channel number, simply click and drag the mouse to the right on the 'Track' box located at the top-right corner of the window until the desired track number is displayed.
- The change will be applied immediately. If you set the Track box to 10, the selected audio clip will be assigned to track 10 on the mixer.
Integrating Instruments into Mixer Tracks
Right-click on a playlist track name located in the left panel. This action will prompt a menu to appear.
- If you haven't allocated a track for the instrument on your playlist yet, simply press F8 to open the Plugin Picker, then drag the desired plugin onto a playlist track.
Choose an instrument to immediately create a mixer track (line). You have the option to select any built-in instrument or VST plugin. This action will instantly connect the chosen instrument from the playlist track to a new mixer track.
- This process will also insert a default pattern on the track, which can be replaced with other clips as needed.
Integrating Mixer Tracks from the Channel Rack
Access the Channel Rack (if not already open). If you've established a rack for multiple instruments, you can conveniently route these instruments from the rack to either new or existing mixer tracks. To open the Channel Rack, select the track in your playlist, then click the Channel Rack icon located near the top-right—it's represented by three horizontal boxes stacked vertically with smaller boxes beside them.
- You can also select the track and press F6 for a quick shortcut.
Choose an instrument. If you have an instrument in the rack that you wish to include in the mixer, click to select it. If not, click the + icon at the bottom of the Channel Rack and select an instrument at this stage.
- Each instrument on the Channel Rack features a field to the left of its name containing either several dashes or a number. If there's a number displayed in the field, it corresponds to a mixer track.
Press Ctrl+L (PC) or ⌘ Cmd+L (Mac) to generate a new mixer track for the instrument. This action automatically adds the chosen instrument to the first available insert track in the mixer and labels it accordingly. The mixer track number will then be displayed to the left of the instrument's name.
- Alternatively, you can drag the mouse to the right on the track number field until you reach the desired mixer track number.
- If you wish to link multiple instruments to the same mixer track, right-click the channel selector (the vertical rectangle) next to each instrument's name that you want to route together—upon right-clicking, you can select multiple channels. Then, right-click the intended mixer track and choose Channel routing > Link selected channels to this track.
Recommendations
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If you neglect to assign audio to a specific mixer track, it will default to the Master track. Consequently, you'll still hear it, but you won't be able to adjust its levels, panning, or mute it individually. It's advisable to assign all clips or instruments to insert tracks on the mixer to fine-tune the mix before mastering your project.
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You have the option to rename mixer tracks and assign custom colors by right-clicking on the track label and selecting Rename / color.
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To shift a mixer track left or right, simply click on it once and then press Alt + Left Arrow or Alt + Right Arrow.
