FL Studio or Ableton Live?

[CrashDistortion]

Ableton is way more professional. Deadmau5 and Skrillex both use it, according to very accurate sites (cough, Wikipedia). FL studios is just kind of annoying to use, in my opinion. I tried to switch over to it after using Reason for a year, then decided that wasn't a good idea. I vote Ableton.

[SoaringFlight]

Both are good, both can do the same stuff, with use of proper VST's etc. In the end it comes to the user and his experience/preference, try em both out and see which one you prefer. Personally i like FL Studio so far, but there just are some things that annoy the living hell out of me - thats why i'm giving a shot with Ableton now and see how it goes.

[Dabrenn]

Ableton is way more professional. Deadmau5 and Skrillex both use it, according to very accurate sites (cough, Wikipedia). FL studios is just kind of annoying to use, in my opinion. I tried to switch over to it after using Reason for a year, then decided that wasn't a good idea. I vote Ableton.

I wouldn't say that. FL is used by many a popular artist like Avicii, Porter Robinson, and Pendulum.

I hate it, but it's entirely capable of a professional sound.

[K3WRO]

Ableton is way more professional. Deadmau5 and Skrillex both use it, according to very accurate sites (cough, Wikipedia). FL studios is just kind of annoying to use, in my opinion. I tried to switch over to it after using Reason for a year, then decided that wasn't a good idea. I vote Ableton.

Your kidding me, for a person who makes music out of dead squirrels and an aluminum foil (Music Creator 6), you'll know that every program mentioned here is capable of music production, Deadmau5, Afrojack, Avcii, Skream, Arksun, etc. all used fl studio for producing.

And by the way, reason can be used with any DAW like one giant VST, using ReWire

[Lavender_Harmony]

Ableton Live.

[soup2504]

I love how Lavender just pops in and says "Abelton Live." and leaves it at that. Just... Yes, master...

[natsukashi]

I love how Lavender just pops in and says "Abelton Live." and leaves it at that. Just... Yes, master...

Arguments are not needed. Ableton Live is the way to go.

[bartekko]

Arguments are not needed. Ableton Live is the way to go.

says the guy who doesn't know why racks are awesome.... oh wait I'm also an ableton fanboy.

[Legion]

Guys, you've officially convinced me to learn Ableton. Merry Christmas.

[Inkpony]

I suggest FL Studios. Just fiddle around with it and eventually you'll figure it out. The only reason I say FL is because ever since I could retain memories and process them clearly, my uncle has been making music WITH FL. So, I've only ever known FL. I didn't know how to work anything in FL until just recently, when I, myself, started making music, but I can say that it's probably one of the best ways to go for track lay out, definitely. I've tried other programs and when it comes to piano roll, track layout, whatever, FL kicks all other DAWs in the testicles. (Wait are all DAWs male?) Anyway, that's my opinion, I am a die hard FL person, and yeah if you're going to pirate, don't publicly announce it. It's highly frowned upon. Not saying, I support it, not saying I don't support it either.

[Seven]

I'm here mostly to pick up some opinions in DAW's. I'm kind of in a similar situation - Getting started on music production, but doesn't know which program to purchase.

I've been using the Demo version of FL Studio 10 for ~a month now, and I'm really happy with it. It's my #1 choice right now, but due to the amount of money I'd be spending on plugin's and other software, I'm very cautious about picking them.

(Quick note: I've got a decent MIDI keyboard, and a decent computer. (No, not really, but it does it's job) I've never, and will probably never, pirate anything (Aquire through illegal sources), as the action encurages crime. Not because of the law, but because I want to keep others out of trouble. (I think; getting a bit philosophical today)

FL Studio is unique in its way to provide a (almost) fully functional Demo version, without time restrictions. Some programs provides no Demo at all, and others: the regular month trial. As the monthly trials only are avalible once, I'm saving those, but opinions from users of these are valuable in my little investigation. (Haha, "my quest for the perfect workstation: for me: by me: purchase on Amazon: Today!")

[Expy]

I'm here mostly to pick up some opinions in DAW's. I'm kind of in a similar situation - Getting started on music production, but doesn't know which program to purchase.

I've been using the Demo version of FL Studio 10 for ~a month now, and I'm really happy with it. It's my #1 choice right now, but due to the amount of money I'd be spending on plugin's and other software, I'm very cautious about picking them.

(Quick note: I've got a decent MIDI keyboard, and a decent computer. (No, not really, but it does it's job) I've never, and will probably never, pirate anything (Aquire through illegal sources), as the action encurages crime. Not because of the law, but because I want to keep others out of trouble. (I think; getting a bit philosophical today)

FL Studio is unique in its way to provide a (almost) fully functional Demo version, without time restrictions. Some programs provides no Demo at all, and others: the regular month trial. As the monthly trials only are avalible once, I'm saving those, but opinions from users of these are valuable in my little investigation. (Haha, "my quest for the perfect workstation: for me: by me: purchase on Amazon: Today!")

To be honest, if you're enjoying FL, I would go with that, unless you really want the live abilities that Ableton has. In the end, they both make music.

[DJSheogowrath]

Started on FL, moved to Ableton. Don't get me wrong, FL is a great program (I still use it in ReWire every so often), but I just prefer Ableton, you don't have to route things to a specific effect bus and I think that the built in effects in Ableton are better.
Really, it's all up to personal preference. Don't let people sway you by claiming that one program is better. Ableton is used by a lot of producers (Skrillex, Daft Punk, Wolfgang Gartner, etc.), but FL is used by alot of big producers too (Feed Me, Porter Robinson, Avicii, Afrojack, etc). Just pick which one that you prefer and go with it.
Also, to all you people saying deadmau5 uses Ableton or FL, you are both riight and wrong. He uses FL, Cubase, and Ableton. He uses all 3 for different things then renders everything out to .wav clips, arranges everything, then masters it and renders it out.

[Seven]

Just wanted to let you guys know that I'm buying FL Studio. That is mostly becasue I considure it the easier DAW to begin with (I've spent some time with it - I like it.) It's relativly cheap, so if I later choose to use another program, let's say Ableton, there no need to fell like I've wasted any money. (Or at least, not as much as if I start with the advanced, and realize I have to change)

What's going to bring the cost up (by far) are the plugins I'd have to buy. I'm going with (mostly) VST plugins, since every DAW I know of supports them. (Never heard of Reason. Furthermore, I can't get my head around virtual racks - I mean, what's the point with them? It's not like anyone uses rack for real anymore...ok, I'm getting off topic, and losing some of my serious...ness...)

...but the plugins I can use to (almost) any other DAW. They are the major investment.

...unless you really want the live abilities that Ableton has...

I haven't really looked into live preformance, ans that's mostly becasue I doubt I'd be making any live...preformances. (That got repedetive).


FL Studio has (as mention'd) a very large userbase. If I need help (Which I most surtainly will) there's a whole lot of people to turn towards. Potential collab's will be easier aswell.

My hunt from now on will be all the plugins I'll need. I've got a pretty decent list, but I must choose wisely, choose the best (or more important, choose the best combination that doesn't leave me compleatly broke)

Oh, and for the workflow of DAW's. They're all different, right? It wouldn't sell if it was just like any other out there. I'm new, so I'm compleatly open to new thinking, I embrace it! ...and since the DAW's are all different, it makes little sense in comparing them. They might work different, but people are different, right? I'm choosing FL since it's the simplest to me.

I'm not quite sure what my point is. I'm buying FL becasue it suits me for the moment, as Expy said. What else is there?


For all the comments (Pretty much anywhere, anytime) that takes an artist's DAW of choice as an argument for why it's the better one - If you live by idolizing someone, mimicing his/ers work and life - then - who are you?

Ps, I'm not saying that you should avoid a DAW for that reason either. If it suits you, it's right for you. If not, try reconsidure your choice. If no one uses a DAW (and for a very thought through instance, Sequel), there's probably a reason for that.

[Expy]

Keep in mind there's some very good (and some not so good) internal VSTs in FL. I don't own any third party VSTs, and I tend to get along fine using 3xOsc, Sytrus, and some soundfonts. There's also some very nice free VSTs, especially filters.

Sure, there are some really nice third party VSTs out there, and I would definitely intend to get them, but don't think you must have them to make good-sounding music.

[Derpageddon]

OK, here's something to throw into this conversation. If one were to purchase one of these DAW's, what version would your recommend?

[bartekko]

well you need to answer some questions to yourself.
Ableton comes in a few versions. here is the explained difference between the cheapest one intro ,and ableton live http://www.ableton.com/pages/live_8/com ... live_intro

The actual practical limitations of intro version are:
you can't dj with live intro very effectively (which doesn't mean you can't), because there are only two audio output channels, as well as two input channels.
not all audio effects are included (not sure which ones though)
you can only use a limited amount of ableton effects and a very limited amount of vst's in a project, not enough to make a big badass track full of instruments and sheez.
You can't group tracks, (but you don't have enough tracks available to make a mess you'd need to group)
you can't use racks, which are very useful tools when you get to know how to use them
ableton's session view is limited, which means you can't let out all your ideas on the fly
and a few more things.

basically, my little ableton for beginners.

ableton Suite 8 has the same feature set as Live 8 and adds eleven instruments.
^ you won't use these instruments anyway, if you get to using a lot of vst's

note: when you buy one version of live and then decide it's not enough, you can upgrade instead of buying new live license for cheaper.


as for flstudio, i can't tell you too much, but here's the comparison http://image-line.com/documents/editions.html

[Expy]

OK, here's something to throw into this conversation. If one were to purchase one of these DAW's, what version would your recommend?

Here's my advice for FL: you don't want to go below the Producer edition - otherwise, no recording, Edison, audio clips directly in tracks, Slicex, or automation clips. They're all extremely useful, and there's some you really don't want to go without.

The Signature Bundle is the Producer Edition with a few extra VSTs: Maximus, Sytrus, Hardcore, and the inbuilt Soundfont player are all pretty useful, but you can definitely make do without them. It depends - you should probably look up what each of those do (or use them in the FL demo) and see if you want them.

[itroitnyah]

LMMS is pretty great, I used that for quite some time, but there are downfalls that you should be aware of that come with LMMS. The drum samples suck. The kicks are all morphed and don't sound right, the hihats are too stingy and short, not the good way, the shakers aren't even worthy of being called shakers, etc... You'd have to buy instrument packs or VSTs if you want to get anywhere with the drums. Not to mention that LMMS will crash pretty easily. And it doesn't start out with any good vst's other than 3xOsc, which even then is only OK. But that's just preference, you might find others usable. And then as for effects, it's all small knobs. You don't have any visuals, but nevertheless, the effects work good. Not all are as good as FLS though. And the vst reader they have is only sorta OK.

But overall, I like the FLS demo better than LMMS. And since you're going for buying, not freeware, I'd suggest FLS. The synths it has, and effects, are incredible. That, and I've never used Ableton.

[Mundius]

I prefer FL to Ableton. I have used both of them, but I find FL easier to use, and as such, faster and better. I know Ableton is for live performances, but I need to run my music through several programs before the output- can't really use it.