The key stage: Add
notes in FL Studio 20
1
FEEL THE BEAT
To kick things off, we’re going to create a simple drumbeat
pattern using the channel rack. Open FL Studio into a new
workspace, and choose around four different instruments to
use together to create this beat. We’ve chosen an 808 kick, 808
clap, 808 hi-hat, and an 808 snare. It’s ideal to use these types
of drums, as it gives you both highs and lows to combine for an
interesting pattern [Image A].
>> To listen through your track so far, remember to select the
‘pat’ button at the top of the screen to hear your pattern. When
listening to the playlist window (the whole track together),
remember to switch it back to the song option.
>> Once you’ve played around with these drum beats and have
a pattern you’re happy with, you can start by drawing it into the
playlist. We also copied this pattern and called it ‘beat group’.
With the original pattern, we split this up into its individual
components to build up the song. To do this, right-click on the
pattern and select ‘Split by channel’. This will then break the
track down into its separate components.2
HI-HATS OFF
To add to our song, we start by introducing the 808 clap
and 808 hi-hat together. These higher pitched beats are
building up in a pattern of four before we add in the bass drums.
>> At the start of the second loop of four, we add in our
808 kick and 808 snare drum. This gives us added depth to
our simple beat and gives it a fuller sound. Make sure you
have the correct pattern selected and use the draw icon—itLAST ISSUE, we focused on one of the most important parts of creating an audio production—
the drumbeat. The beat is the foundation to any song, and while you don’t have to use drums as
any instrument can make a beat, drums are as good a place as an to start on FL Studio. If you
haven’t done so already, check out our previous tutorial before you try this one out.
This month, we’ll be turning our attention to creating some notes in a track using the piano
roll. Before you start panicking, you don’t need to be familiar with all of Mozart’s work in order
to achieve this. Even the folks here at Maximum PC can put something together with rhythm and
we have pretty much zero musical talent. We’re going to take what we learned last time and add
to it so that eventually you’ll be able to produce your own tracks. The first thing to remember
is that all tracks consist of layering, and that’s what we’re doing here. We’ll be adding musical
notes to a beat to create a simple track with a melody. –SAM LEWISYOU’LL NEED THIS
FL STUDIO 20
http://www.image-line.comlooks like a pencil and sits above the playlist window
[Image B]. Then simply click and draw into the playlist
window to add your sounds. Once you’ve built up your
song with a few drums, you can add a melody. Our beat
isn’t revolutionary by any means, and it certainly won’t
be troubling the Billboard Top 100 anytime soon, but it
will give you an idea of how to layer a track.
>> With our drums sorted, these will play in the
background while the melodies come in and take center
stage. To create these, we need to choose some piano or
synth keys that pair well with the 808 drums. Feel free
to use whatever sound packs you like, as the more you
experiment with different instruments the more you will
get used to constructing a basic song in FL Studio.BA58 MAXIMU MPC APR 2022
R&D