I am seriously questioning my usage of FL Studio 10

[Flinckie]

Always when I see a screenshot or a video of a project, I always notice that they use the DAW a lot differently.

I look at other projects and I always see what they do that I don't. The thing that nags at me the most is that I rarely use the playlist. The only thing that I use it for is samples. Here's a screenshot of my latest project. As you can see, the only things in my playlist the vocals and a few Carl Sagan samples.

So far I've made all my tracks like this. All the panning, volume control, modulation and you name it, happens in the piano roll. I opened FLS 10 for the first time in early April, just three months ago, so I'm pretty much a complete beginner.

Well, this is really bothering me, because I'm worried that I'm limiting what I can do by not using automation clips, which apparently everyone uses.

[the4thImpulse]

This is really nagging at me, because I'm worried that I'm limiting what I can do by not using automation clips, which apparently everyone uses.

I had the same thing with ableton and then I thought about it for a bit and realized that I don't need to copy the methods used by other people to make good music, I just need to make good music and copying other may or may not help.

I would suggest tring too use track long automation clips to slowly change the dynamics of the sound, it will keep people more interested as the song plays out. I am starting to use them on my drum samples to change the release and attack (rarely) on my kicks so they sound slightly diffrent everytime.

[Matthew N.]

How... in the world are you managing to write an entire song in one pattern is... I... I don't even...

It's so much harder to do stuff; you can't organize anything outside the playlist, and automation is nearly impossible to pull off. I suggest you start using playlist because it's much easier to manage everything, and not because we do it this way and not the other.

[Kushy Kallous]

The playlist allows you cut things in and out and make the song...A song! rather than just a sample.

You have a two and a half minute piece with Carl Sagen samples.. I'm pretty sure you can benefit from using the playlist; and as Matthew_N said, not because others do it, but because it will definitely take care of some limitation issues. Just incorporate the help that the DAW gives you. I don't think it should be looked at as copying other's styles. -- How much it helps is up to you, try and see what you can do with it!

Just something I want to throw in here: I've been a strong believer in doing things your own style. If you feel more comfortable using the patterns as opposed to the playlist, I could understand where you're coming from.

[Flinckie]

How... in the world are you managing to write an entire song in one pattern is... I... I don't even...

It's so much harder to do stuff; you can't organize anything in the playlist, and automation is nearly impossible to pull off. I suggest you start using playlist because it's much easier to manage everything, and not because we do it this way and not the other.

Writing everything in one pattern works precisely because I don't organize anything in the playlist and I don't automate (with automation clips.) But yeah, I'm probably going to try what The4thImpulse suggested.

[Captain Ironhelm]

Putting each of those instruments in separate patterns, then setting them out in the playlist like you have the vocals does allow for easier arranging, and easier automation. That's all I can really tell of a difference. Everyone has a different way of organizing.

[soultensionbenjamin]

wow thats amazing organizing everything in a single pattern must be almost midi type like music most of the time songs are done in patterns in the playlist and organized by color so wow im not sure how you can automate to much with the use of a single pattern so that is really tricky.

[Artimeus]

HOLY COW. HOLY. GOLDEN. COW.

I barely ever use patterns! Here, take a look at my latest project: http://i.imgur.com/npJvf.jpg

As you can see, I love using samples and then beating the hell out of them until I get what I want. But that is neither here nor there.

The thing is, there really is no WRONG way to do something in FL. Everyone's got their unique styles and workflows; If you're comfortable doing something one way, you can stick with it, or you can experiment and try out some new methods. I make it a habit to try something new every time I open up a project. Up next will be layering basslines.

However, using the playlist for automation clips is glorious. I tend to stretch them from the start of a pattern to the finish, and then just mess about. It's so much easier to do on the playlist (tweaking the automation parameters, that is) and you can experiment in real-time if you don't have an external controller linked to your software.

[Matthew N.]

I barely ever use patterns! Here, take a look at my latest project: http://i.imgur.com/npJvf.jpg

That's too... organized and colourful for my taste.
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/1918/chaosftw.jpg

But yeah. I honestly can't imagine myself working within a single pattern.

[Captain Ironhelm]

I barely ever use patterns! Here, take a look at my latest project: http://i.imgur.com/npJvf.jpg

Rarity is best pony.

[Artimeus]

Rarity is best pony.

XD Why yes, yes she most certainly is. And Rarity in socks is HNNNNGGG.

[Counterwise]

Oh wow. My work seems like a complete mess compared to you guys
http://i.imgur.com/KH8wt.png

Meh, everything seems to come together anyway

[Matthew N.]

Oh wow. My work seems like a complete mess compared to you guys
http://i.imgur.com/KH8wt.png

Meh, everything seems to come together anyway

That's normal.

[Seven]

It's all about organization. I find your project...slightly confusing, but come to think of it, my project would look just as bewildering in your eyes. I can't see any limitations about not using the playlist. At all, that is.

My point is that anything that can be done on the playlist, can be done patternwise. It's all about organization.For instance, the automation within the pattern can easilly be exported out to the playlist. Literally just a few mouseclicks away.

Then again, also depends on the music type you're making. While a repedative house track would welcome the patterns as such, an orchestral symphony might not. You said you're new, so I suppose a change in method wouldn't be too much of trouble. If you anytime require outside help, working 'like everyone else' can make it easier for them to assist you.

Furthermore, the Pattern - Playlist relationship is the very foundation of which FL Studio is built on. If you can't work outside the pattern-editor, I suggest switching DAW.

[K3WRO]

I barely ever use patterns! Here, take a look at my latest project: http://i.imgur.com/npJvf.jpg

That's too... organized and colourful for my taste.
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/1918/chaosftw.jpg

But yeah. I honestly can't imagine myself working within a single pattern.

That's me right there

[Flinckie]

My point is that anything that can be done on the playlist, can be done patternwise. It's all about organization.For instance, the automation within the pattern can easilly be exported out to the playlist. Literally just a few mouseclicks away.

Okay, how do you do this? I'm trying to make a transition to the playlist, and I can't figure out how to create an automation clip for the filter cutoff frequency.

[Seven]

My point is that anything that can be done on the playlist, can be done patternwise. It's all about organization.For instance, the automation within the pattern can easilly be exported out to the playlist. Literally just a few mouseclicks away.

Okay, how do you do this? I'm trying to make a transition to the playlist, and I can't figure out how to create an automation clip for the filter cutoff frequency.

The automation options for the piano-roll are volume, pan and pitch. (Correct?) I'm not sure if recording with an external MIDI controller will put the automation in the instrument-channel, or on the playlist (since both modulation-wheels on my MIDI keyboard are eather broke, or Fl just don't want to pick 'em up)

To transfer the automation to the playlist; select Edit from the dropdown menu (Little triangle in the top left of the piano-roll window) and choose Turn into Automation Clip This will send the automation-clip with in the pattern, to an Auto(mation) channel. You can then place the automation-pattern on the playlist, just like any other pattern. (Preferrably lined up with it's respective pattern)


Automation in general is done by:

(On Image-Line's own products) Right-clicking on the parameter, and selecting Create Automation Clip

or

(This on any other plugin, not powerd or created by Image-Line) Moving the parameter of choice, and then selecting Create Automation Clip from Last Tweaked under Tools (FL Studio's standard interface)

or (Not recommended; this is the exact technique as above, but not using FL Studio's macro - which is just giving yourself a hard time)

Selecting the plugin your automation will be on from the Browser (F8) under Generators or Effects, and then right-clicking on the parameter-name - selecting Create Automation Clip (Same as the first technique, just not in the plugin-interface).

[Foxtrot89]

Oh, hey, I thought they did away with the "last tweaked" param thing. As I recall, it used to be in the drop down menu of the plug in/wrapper. Should save me precious seconds in navigating the big long list of params knowing that I'm just a moron and overlooked it.

[Ed Viper]

I tend to keep everything neat and organized : D (color-coded, too!)

http://i46.tinypic.com/2ajyplf.png

[Artimeus]

I tend to keep everything neat and organized : D (color-coded, too!)

http://i46.tinypic.com/2ajyplf.png

I have a sudden urge for skittles.

[Edened]

I think I have the least organized method here haha. I just stack all my automation clips on top of each other on the track they're effecting. My projects don't go down very far because of that, it's pretty much all horizontal.
Works for me though XD

[FlyingNinjaBannanas]

I tend to keep everything neat and organized : D (color-coded, too!)

http://i46.tinypic.com/2ajyplf.png

This looks just like mine... if I'd ever finish a project.

[Kagetori]

Lol, I actually made a thread recently asking what the playlist thing is for.
I've never used the playlist, it looks boring, but I guess my music is simple compared to everyone else's (even though my plain arrangements are easily above average) >_>

I don't even know what "automation" is. 6_9
I also forgot to mention, I always use 320 tempo, just throwing that in to make myself sound even worse and more apparently unorganized.

Here, take a look at my latest project: http://i.imgur.com/npJvf.jpg

That looked really intimidating at first and almost made me think there was some advantage to this whole thing. Then I realized the first 6 tracks were just drum stuff and a lot of other stuff were just duplicates for fancy effect stuff. To me, this looks pointlessly complicated compared to what I do with one pattern now that I've actually looked closer at it. Also, how'd you get that long screenshot? How wide is your computer??

Yea, I do things in one pattern, but it's not a mess. To me, it's perfectly organized in my own way.

[Foxtrot89]

I think I have the least organized method here haha. I just stack all my automation clips on top of each other on the track they're effecting. My projects don't go down very far because of that, it's pretty much all horizontal.
Works for me though XD

I dunno, mine always end up being a pretty big mess. Nothing is ever consistently in one row for me. It's not uncommon for me to have huge stacks of clips, uncolored and unnamed. On top of that, pattern1 might play in lane 1 initially, but it hops around to lane 2, 6, 4, etc. Whichever spot is free at the time of insertion. Really wish I could take a screenshot, but I'm away from my computer currently. I also use really crude bandaid methods of doing things, which leads to awkwardly chopped automation lying all over. It works when the track is fresh, but if I ditch it for a while and come back later, I'm completely lost. I really need to force myself into being organized.

[ph00tbag]

I'm actually incredibly impressed that you can write an entire track in the piano roll.