FL Studio is, without a doubt, the most well-known computer-based beat producer made for the masses. It is strong. It is cheap, and it could pretty much let you do anything with any music. And FL Studio 12, the newest version, is on its way to making sure the heritage is constant.
Simply speaking, it is a fantastic bit of software that altered the entire music production business making it available to any human that possesses a pc.
Within this review, I will cover the key things you want to learn about FL Studio and the most recent features added to FL Studio 12. Keep reading Fidlar’spost to see our Fl Studio 12 Reviews.
Table of Contents
🔥 Best Free Sample Loop Kit Packs 2021 - Works with FL Studio, Logic Pro X, Ableton and any other DAW This heavyweight line up of free sample loops packs is a must-have for any producer wanting to get some quick inspiration in 2021.
- Top 4 Underrated FL Studio Synthesizers By W. Production 13, Feb 2018 With three of these amazing synthesizer plug-ins, you can basically design and achieve almost every trending sounds in the Electronic Music scene at the moment.
- Whether you are working on FL Studio, Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Reason, or Cubase, they will have no problem running your free plugins. More at the best music production software. However, you can always start with a free music-making app.
- Paid Apps can't be transferred between Android, iOS and Windows devices. This also applies to in-app purchases. To use FL Studio Mobile on another operating system you must purchase it and additional content for each of Android, iOS, and Windows separately: This is true for all paid mobile apps. Yes, we know that sucks and here's why it happens.
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- Dec 15, 2020 Image-Line is the company responsible for creating the amazing DAW FL Studio. One important thing to note here is that Vocodex works in Windows in almost any DAW, however if you want to be able to use it with a Mac computer, you’ll only be able to through FL Studio.
- 3 Design
About FL Studio
FL Studio is a digital audio workstation (DAW) created for computers, both PC and Mac. FL Studio is produced by a firm named Image-Line, which premiered in 1994.
The first version of FL Studio was released in 1998, and the most recent variant FL Studio 12 in April 2015. This usually means that they have been growing and improving this beat maker for at least 17 decades.
Fundamentally, they are the same. However, the distinction is that the Producer and Signature have more features, packs, and instruments that have been designed for more experienced users. And Fruity variant, that’s the fundamental edition, is restricted to fundamental melody and loop production.
What I highly recommend is to acquire the Producer edition that’s adequate for many music production functions. Getting the Fruity variant will keep you restricted, and the Signature edition isn’t distinct from the Producer version. So, I’d say it is ideal to go with the Producer version.
Fl Studio 12 Reviews
Pros:
- Vector-based UI is fantastic. Quite practical improvements. Additions to all three variants. The mixer is highly elastic. Great price, lifetime free upgrades.
Cons:
- Some facets of the workflow can appear arcane in contrast to other DAWs. The plugin menu can just be installed on install.
- Powerful mixing and automation
- The best Piano Roll in the business
- Flexible Browser and workflow features
- Support for all VST standards
- Over 80 instrument and plugin effects included
Design
Before, individuals are quick to criticize the manner FL Studio works and looks, but we’re big supporters. In case you’ve used this DAW earlier, you’ll feel right at home since variant 20 builds on the preceding UI.
Rather than one single deadline, FL Studio divides imaginative, mixing, and structures in their UI windows in practice; we believe this truly enables the workflow, though we can also see why some people today brandish it like somewhat cluttered.
Concerning pure aesthetics, FL Studio 20 Producer stays pretty retro using a dark color scheme, which will appeal to some. In contrast, others will like to check at something a bit more contemporary. A bonus is that variant 20 keeps the good vector images that were released in the prior iteration.
Features
FL Studio 12 includes many great innovative features that will surely take your job to another level. It is that part of the software that can put you side-by-side together with professionals. All you have to worry about then is getting more imaginative and improving your blending abilities.
FL Studio 12 has witnessed so many improvements in comparison to FL Studio 11. The first thing you notice is that the new user interface is more horizontal and cleaner than ever before. The new interface is readily improved without affecting its quality, and generally, we could say that it’s much more user-friendly.
I must mention that your personal computer needs to have at least 1GB RAM and a minimum of 2Ghz Intel Processor. In case your computer’s specifications are more significant, you will find a better experience using FL Studio 12.
Many features come on this program. It is almost impossible to describe all of them in 1 post. That is why I ask that you look at this graph from the official site, which contains all of the features alongside the three distinct editions.
If you are more into a movie, you’re able to see this movie below, which will provide you with a general idea of the essential differences between FL Studio 11 and 12. It is worth watching.
Read More:
Huge Sound/Loops Library
FL Studio is the most extensive library in the marketplace. You will get, as well as the program, tens of thousands of well-engineered loops and sounds, which you can use immediately to produce the type of beats you prefer.
Most producers have confessed that however great you’re, if you do not have great loops and samples, there is no way you’ll be able to make any music worth listening to. The key lies in the audio samples, men, and FL Studio is providing a superb package for you started in the ideal direction.
Is it free?
Fl Studio Free Vs Paid Account
Image-Line includes a generous and reasonably unusual policy of providing free lifetime upgrades for the model you’ve purchased, and this applies here, too. So, if you purchased a prior version of Producer, you’ll have the ability to upgrade to 12 Producer for free and receive all the excess stuff.
Update pricing also applies when you would like to move up a variant, with numerous prices available based on your present edition’s age and degree. A free demonstration version can also be obtained.
Considering that the update is free for present Image-Line FL users, it is tough to see why you would not install it and receive the advantage of their newest features.
The entire program feels much more modern and easier to navigate. The mixer, specifically, feels and looks a lot more up to date than earlier, meaning that using it’s a fantastic deal more attractive.
The new capability will be an incentive for anyone buying higher-resolution monitors, which are becoming cheaper all the time, and multitouch is undoubtedly intriguing.
If your system does not have a touchscreen, you might realize that the bait of restraining FL Studio 12 in a hands-on way persuades one to bring a competent screen, which may be somewhat inexpensive. You will require a recent version of Windows for this,
FL Studio includes a massive user base, and it appears possible that this new variant will expand it further. A competent, affordable, and very modern-feeling DAW.
Real-Time Service
Support is one thing you won’t need to be concerned about using FL Studio’s service staff. You may get in touch with them directly online and talk to them. Additionally, you may ask other people for assistance in the discussion area. It is instrumental, especially for novices.
Free Video Tutorials
On Picture Line YouTube Channel, there are much high quality and easy to follow videos. These videos cover virtually everything associated with FL Studio. And so, I do not think you’re ever get lost.
MIDI Controller Support
I made this on the last because today, most beatmakers have this alternative. However, with FL Studio 12, you can export and import MIDI Files. Anyway, it’s MIDI SysEx and MMC Functions.
Studio technology
At the progression of FL Studio 12, it is apparent the Image-Line has spent lots of time soul searching, looking for methods to improve, streamline and adapt the day-to-day usability of the DAW, and the outcome is, by and large, a fantasy come true for present users.
Is it a fantastic point for the novice to jump onboard? Absolutely. FL Studio adds itself readily to in-the-box blending and composition instead of as the center of a more conventional recording arrangement. Still, there is little it can not do concerning the prior. And using its life free upgrades’ coverage, the understanding you’ll never need to pay an update fee then initial outlay is reassuring.
Due to the same coverage, FL Studio 12 is a no-brainer for paid-up owners, who might well find themselves falling in love with their DAW of choice around again for this.
So, What’s New?
The most obvious thing is a fancy fresh contemporary appearance. FL Studio 12 is eye-catching and current, and what is more, the entire picture interface is more scalable. It’s possible to scale the entire DAW or only a couple of elements.
This especially comes in handy with all the mixers, which now appears much better, using the choice to hide or show some aspects by merely resizing it automatically.
Also, it includes a fancy new capability to display many routings between stations using virtual patch cables exhibited at the base of the mixer window (like people at Propellerhead’s Reason).
There’s also a choice to separate collections of stations with new lanes, also known as separators. We also are now able to pick channels and category them and including a group station automatically routes all selected channels to the new station.
One of my favorite new additions is that a row of buttons for bypassing add impacts. The more important news is choosing and modifying the quantity for any number of stations with only one click.
FL Studio had and still has among the most innovative MIDI editors available on the market (I know, David, I am also an older Cubase user, and yes Cubase has each potential MIDI instrument, but trust me, FL Studio goes much farther, offering many options tucked away from plenty of Piano Roll menus and submenus, all which can drastically accelerate your workflow).
Additionally, there are a few changes to a few of the additional FL Studio menus and windows. Some choices are changed between windows, and it requires a while to become familiar with these new places, but I suppose Picture Line understands why they did it this way.
Additionally, there are no more separate windows for dispersed samples, so today, every parameter can be put into a brand new, particular window.
Click any sample on Channel Rack. Well done. And of course, FL Studio 12 provides us a heap of new or redesigned colored buttons for extra editing windows, displayed almost anywhere in each FL Studio editor, providing a far more agreeable and user-friendly working encounter.
The upcoming noticeable issue is that a redesigned Tool Bar using a few new buttons and the choice of adding additional ones. That attribute was lacking in previous models, although some different DAWs already provided it.
I forgot to say that FL Studio uses ASIO drivers, providing precisely the same low latency as is right with this ASIO For All motorist with one crucial difference: FL Studio does not lock sound exclusively for your DAW, letting you use other sound programs at precisely the same moment.
Thus, we’re no longer made to stop FL Studio if we would like to see a tutorial movie clip or listen to an MP3 via Winamp or another participant. Perhaps this will not sound radical for youpersonally, but after a while, you may wonder how you could have lived with no particular solution.
FL Studio also brings several changes to your browser, making search more sophisticated while staying user friendly at precisely the same moment.
The excellent news is that today you may pick several streams or sound clips from Windows Explorer and drag them straight into the Playlist. There they will be mechanically sorted onto different monitors. Those paths can then be hauled with a single click to another output from the mixer.
Whenever you become knowledgeable about the numerous choices that FL Studio offers, you’ll have the ability to complete your path far faster than at most other DAWs.
Conclusion
FL Studio 20 Producer might not revolutionize this long-running DAW, but it also attracts a comfortable core functionality with improved features. Worth the upgrade when you have version 12? You might probably choose to wait until the next version comes out to see some more considerable differences. But using a forgiving nature and functional design, it stays a go-to stage for both beginners and professional producers.
Last update on 2020-12-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Last Updated on December 15, 2020.
Vocoders are fun! In short, they are used to synthesize thehuman voice making them sound robotic and even “inhuman”.
The great thing about vocoder plugins is that they can add alot of flavor to your music in just a matter of seconds.
Now, in this post I will list the seven best professional/commercialvocoder plugins, as well as the 7 best free ones.
Let’s get started…
Best Commercial Vocoder VST/AU Plugins
- VocalSynth 2 by Izotope (Windows, Mac)
- Vocodex by Image-Line (Windows, Mac onlyin FL Studio)
- Morphoder by Waves Audio (Windows, Mac)
- XILS V+ by XILS Lab (Windows, Mac)
- Vocalizer PRO by Sonivox (Windows, Mac)
- Waldorf Lector by WaldorfMusic (Windows, Mac)
- Razor by Native Instruments (Windows, Mac)
VocalSynth 2 by Izotope ($199)
This is one of the most powerful commercial vocoder pluginsout there that also comes with loads of other features which are great forcreating cool and futuristic vocal effects.
VocalSynth 2 features a Vocoder, Compuvox, Polyvox, Talkbox,and Biovox, which is a brand new effect based on the sonic qualities of thehuman vocal tract.
It’s more than capable of creating the typical roboticeffects, however you can also get any kind of oldschool or “newschool” soundswhich should help you find that secret sauce that you need to make your mixessound awesome.
Since it’s one of those plugins where you can certainly getlost in all the features available, VocalSynth 2 also provides you with loadsof presets, which not only is a good starting point when you’re trying toachieve that awesome vocal sound, but it also helps you save loads of time.
The newly added “Biovox” feature is pretty interesting aswell;
Using scientific modelling of a human vocal tract, you canadjust human vocal characteristics like nasality, vowel shapes, and formantsfor a smooth, textural vocal treatment to any audio signal.
VocalSynth2 also features a visual animation that moves withthe shape of your audio, which gives you a pretty unique audio meteringexperience.
All iZotope products feature inter-plugin communication,allowing seamless integration with essential tools for music production andanalysis.
Features
- Biovox: Modelling of human vocal tract.
- Stompbox-style effects
- Inter-plugin communication
- Extensive plugin enhancements
- Best Free Vocoder VST/AU Plugins
You can find out more about VocalSynth 2 here.
Related: I’ve also written other posts about VST plugins that might interest you;
Vocodex by Image-Line ($99)
Image-Line is the company responsible for creating theamazing DAW FL Studio.
One important thing to note here is that Vocodex works in Windowsin almost any DAW, however if you want to be able to use it with a Mac computer,you’ll only be able to through FL Studio.
I believe that Vocodex is an ideal plugin for beginners becauseof how straight forward and easy to use the interface is.
It also features voice doubling and reverb capabilities, aswell as up to 100 filter bands which are individually controllable, giving youloads of options for creating extremely precise sounds.
It’s a lot more basic than VocalSynth 2, but that is why it’sbetter for beginners.
Plus, it allows you to get straight to the point withoutwasting time going through all the features.
Fl Studio Free Vs Paid Seesaw
Features
- Speech enhancement contouring of noise ormodulator pass-through.
- Modulator noise reduction to reduce ambientnoise bleeding through carrier.
- Voice doubling and reverb capabilities.
- Built-in Soundgoodizer for limiting and warmoutput.
- Up to 100 bands individually locatable anywherein the spectrum.
- …and more!
You can find out more about Vocodex here.
Related: Are you looking for a new DAW? Here’s a list of the best DAWs currently available!
Morphoder by Waves Audio ($29)
This Vocoder plugin by Waves is not only powerful, but alsofeatures a built-in synth that works as a carrier.
However, this synth is pretty limited in the sense that itonly allows you to choose between 8 internal voice synthesizers.
The good news is that you can sidechain your own soundsources and completely ignore the built-in synth, should you want to.
It also comes with a 5-band EQ and some other features likeformant, smoothing and pressure controls.
As you can see, Morphoder is a very simple andstraightforward Vocoder plugin.
But what it lacks in flashiness it more than makes up in easeof use and overall effectiveness.
Just like Vocodex, I can definitely recommend Morphoder toany beginner and even pros.
Features
- 8-Voice stereo synthesizer
- Formant control
- Modulator with Linear Phase EQ
- MIDI control
You can find out more about Morphoder here.
XILS V+ by XILS Lab ($159)
The XILS V+ is a plugin based on Roland’s classic VP330which was comprised of a simple vocal synth, a very simple string synth and abasic vocoder.
The original Roland VP330 only does three things, but itdoes them in a style and quality, which have not yet been surpassed.
The plugin version combines a Vintage 10 band Vocoder,Supreme Top Octave Divider based Strings and Human Voices, or any sophisticatedlayering of these three elements.
It also features a couple new additions that the people at XILSLabs decided to include; A virtual keyboard, an Advanced Stereo Space effect, asimple but nice sounding reverb, an Analog like resonant Phaser, up to 6 freeassignable modulation nodes, and more…
If you’re looking for a simple and great sounding vocoder thatdoes these three things extremely well, and that is capable of a hugerange of related sounds that you can’t obtain from the original, then check outXILS V+.
Features
- Access to a lot of parameters which its hardwaremodel kept secret under the roof.
- One strings section.
- One human voices section.
- One 10 bands vocoder.
- A virtual keyboard
- …and more!
You can find out more about XILS V+ here.
Related: Here’s a list about the best Guitar VST Plugins.
Vocalizer PRO by Sonivox ($49)
If you’re looking for an affordable vocoder plugin thatstill performs incredibly well, then Vocalizer Pro might be for you.
It features a total of four Spectral Synthesis modules whichcan be routed in, around, and through each other in various combinations toincrease your sonic potential.
Now, add to this that each of these modules offers pitch shifting,filtering, and modulation using LFOs, and you can see how each module cancreate awesome sounds.
And since you can combine these modules in any way you like,the possibilities are endless.
Two rows of MIDI-mappable pads provide great performancecontrol.
The top row saves snapshots of parameter settings, while thebottom row stores multi-note chords for expressive real-time interaction.
Features
Fl Studio Free Vs Paid
- Revolutionary MIDI-controlled audio effect
- Unparalleled vocoding, re-synthesis and signalprocessing from subtle to mind-blowing
- Expanded controls including FFT audio processingsuite
- Pitch shift, formant, improved frequency controland spreading
- Two rows of performance pads extend playabilityand live performance control
You can find out more about Vocalizer Pro here.
Lector by WaldorfMusic ($180)
The interface of Lector might seem a bit intimidating atfirst because of all the knobs and controls, however it’s pretty easy to use.
The analysis filter bank splits the incoming audio signalinto as many as 100 frequency bands, which basically means that you can getextremely detailed with the carrier if you want.
It comes with some unusual features such as; The Waldorfmultimode filter (12dB-24dB slopes), a whitening filter and a three-band EQ.
The Lector also features two oscillators with analogwaveforms such as sine, triangle, sawtooth, square and more, as well as variouseffects such as distortion, delay and reverb.
Features
- 3 to 100 band Vocoder
- Adjustable range of Analysis Filter Bank
- Adjustable offsets and LFO modulation ofSynthesis Filter Bank
- 3-band Equalizer with variable mid band
- Individual Compressors for Speech and Carriersignal
- Voiced / Unvoiced Detector
- …and more!
You can find out more about Lector here.
Razor by Native Instruments $(99)
Native Instruments is known for creating some of the bestplugins out there, be it Guitar VST Plugins or even samplerplugins, and they all sound fantastic.
Razor is actually a soft synth but it comes with anexcellent 34-band vocoder function.
This vocoder function is capable of creating the classicvocoder sounds which we all know, but it also allows for more experimentationwhere you can come up with some pretty cool sounds.
You might be hesitant of purchasing this plugin because ofits price tag, but remember that you are getting an overall excellent synth aswell, and not just the vocoder function.
Features
- Detailed, dynamic additive synthesis
- Extreme sonic flexibility and morphability forboundless sound design
- Easy-to-use subtractive controls and uniquevisual feedback
You can fin out more about Razor here.
This concludes the list of the premium vocoder VST/AUplugins.
Now, let’s move on to the free ones…
Best Free Vocoder VST/AU Plugins
- TAL-Vocoder by Togu Audio Line (Windows, Mac)
- FBVC by Full Bucket Music (Windows, Mac)
- VSMINI Vocoder by WOK (Windows only)
- CANNABIS VOCODER BY BITSONIC (Windows only)
- VINTAGE VOCODER BY SONICISM (Windows only)
- Vocovee by g200kg (Windows only)
- mda Vocoder by mda (Windows only)
TAL-Vocoder by Togu Audio Line (Free)
TAL-Vocoder is a vintage vocoder with 11 bands thatemulates the sound of vocoders from the early 80’s.
It includes analog modeled components in combination withdigital algorithms such as the SFFT (Short-Time Fast Fourier Transform).
This vocoder does not make a direct convolution of the carrier and modulation signal as other digital vocoders may do.
It includes an envelope follower for every of the elevenbands.
It is mostly been optimized for voice processing andincludes some algorithms for consonants to make the voice more intelligible.
Features
- 11 band vocoder engine.
- Internal carrier synth (pulse, saw, sub osc,noise, mono, poly, portamento, sync mode, tune).
- Possibility to route an external carrier signal.
- Harmonic control (adds more harmonics to anycarrier signal)
- …and more!
You can download TAL-Vocoder for free here.
FBVC by Full Bucket Music (Free)
Difference Between Fl Studio Versions
The Full Bucket Vocoder FBVC is a plugin thatsimulates the classic KORG VC-10 Vocoder from 1978.
It emulates both the sound character and the signal chain ofsaid vocoder while still introducing some new features.
The front panel is pretty easy to use and it features thebasic controls such as; the global tuning control, the volume controls forcarrier and modulator, the vibrato controls and the built-in patch browser.
One cool feature about this vocoder plugin is that it can loada .WAV file, which will then be used by the modulator.
This means that you can avoid routing the audio around inyour DAW by simply loading the .WAV file onto the vocoder.
Features
- 20 band full stereo vocoder
- 64 voice polyphonic built-in Tone Generatorsection
- Accent Bending and Vibrato effects
- Optional WAV file playback
- Fully tweakable Analysis/Synthesis section
- …and more!
You can download FBVC for free here.
VSMINI Vocoder by WOK (Free)
VSMINI is a 20-band vocoder effect plugin based on theSennheiser Vocoder, however this one is a much more simplified version.
It features an internal carrier signal source with saw ornoise and optional MIDI control.
Also, an external signal can be used as the carrier on onechannel of the stereo input, the other channel receives the modulation signal.
Fl Studio 20 Free Download
An integrated noise generator for sibilance parts of the speechsignal improves articulation quality.
You can download VSMINI for free here.
CANNABIS VOCODER BY BITSONIC (Free)
Clearly, this isn’t your traditional vocoder plugin, as youmight have been able to make out from the name.
However, it really does have an interesting sound to it eventhough it’s quite a limited plugin.
It comes with a couple of built-in presets which sound a bitfunny… actually, the whole plugin sounds funny, but it’s pretty interesting aswell.
The mono version is an effect plugin, meaning it’s not a VSTinstrument.
The poly version is a VST instruments application, where youcan load the vocal track into the software and using the midi channel you cancreate a polyphonic vocoder.
You can download the Cannabis Vocoder for free here.
Fl Studio Free Vs Paid Online
Vintage Vocoder by Sonicism (Free)
Vintage Vocoder was originally a commercial productpublished by Sonicism Digital Audio Solutions in 2002.
It was used for the robot voices and sound effects in thecomputer game Freelancer.
The interface is simple and easy to use, which is always nice,but it’s still a pretty powerful plugin, especially considering that it’s freeand pretty dated.
Features
- Screaming analogue style filtering:
- Versatile and powerful Filterbank for analyzingthe modulator signal:
- Onboard tone generator for use as the carriersignal:
- Modulate anything with anything.
You can download the Vintage Vocoder for free here.
Vocovee by g200kg (Free)
Vocovee is a VST Effect version of g200kg’s VocovVocoder and its features are pretty limited.
It does not have sidechain routing but it does have a lowerlatency, making it ideal for performances.
It also has an improved built-in synth which is nice.
Features
- Digital vocoder engine.
- Built-in 8 Voice polyphonic 3-OSC 2-LFO synth.
- 6-band Graphic EQ.
- Delay, Chorus and Reverb effects.
You can download Vocovee for free here.
Vocoder by mda (Free)
This is a really simple switchable 8 or 16 band vocoderplugin.
Its interface is extremely simple and it doesn’t reallyfeature anything out of the ordinary.
It’s basically an earlier and less sophisticated version ofthe Cubase Vocoder.
Note: The website is a bit outdated and the downloadlink isn’t that easy to find. It’s the second-to-last one on the “Plug-ins”section.
You can download the mda Vocoder for free here.
Conclusion
Vocoder plugins are super fun to use, especially the goodones.
I would recommend all the beginners to download a couple ofthe free ones first before moving on to the higher-end ones.
I hope this information was useful.
Have a nice day!