Fl Studio On Mac Review

  • Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Image Line FL Studio 20 Producer Edition Mac/Windows at Amazon.com. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users.
  • Although FL Studio had capabilities to run on Mac, it was quite glitchy and complicated. In 2018, Image-Line finally created a compatible version FL Studio for Apple Mac users. Therefore you can now run FL Studio on your Mac Book Pro with full VST and AU support!
  • On the flip side, Mac users couldn't use FL Studio (unless they wanted to use it via Bootcamp). Fortunately, a recent update to the latter software has fixed its compatibility problem.
  1. Fl Studio Mac Os Review
  2. Fl Studio Download Free Mac
  3. Fl Studio On Mac Reviews
  4. Fl Studio For Mac Torrent

FL Studio’s vector-based is sharp and easy to read despite its complexity, especially on Retina-class monitors. The UI is fully scalable, even across multiple displays. It also supports multitouch; with an appropriate touch-screen monitor on a PC, you can use it like a live physical mixing board and move multiple faders simultaneously. FL Studio has one of the most intuitive and customizable interfaces of the music production programs we reviewed. You can detach and resize all its windows to speed up your workflow and make the tools you use most easy to access. By Billy Bommer April 10, 2018.

We recently have been trying out Image Lines Fl Studio. We reviewed the latest version 20 of the Fruity Loops replacement and checked its functionality for the modern producer/beat makers during hip hop mixing and more. Find out what has been added to the producer edition and what has been improved. In our review well will compare the different packages such as the Producer, Fruity and Signature bundle.

The Fl update 20 features amongst others: A scalable, reworked vector interface and Multi Touch support, so you can control for example your mixer’s faders or other controlls with a tablet. Unfortunately Slate’s Raven isn’t compatible yet. A big bonus are the in the purchase included, always free updates for a lifetime. Other software developers should learn a thing or two from this policy.

How much does Fl Studio for Mac & Windows cost? Starting with 99 USD for the lowest edition, the price targets beginners as well as professional music producers. Let’s check out the new features and what has changed compared to previous versions in our quick overview:

  • New scalable interface/ look & UI.
  • Better Real Time stretching for Sampler.
  • Improved Channel Settings & Menu.
  • Better usage of Audio Clips.
  • New Updated Browser & category tabs.
  • Multi-touch support.
  • Stepsequencer replaceable with Piano.
  • Pattern menu now located in toolbar.
  • 103 Insert & Send Tracks available.
  • Detachable & Magnetic Windows.
  • Improved Menus.
  • Multi drag and drop in playlist.
  • Easier installation process for Vst plugin ‘s.
  • Midi Patterns.
  • 10 FX Slots per track in mixer.

Which Version Is Right For Me? See All Fl Editions In Comparison:

  • Audio Tracks
  • Audio Recording
  • Automation
  • Pattern Clips
  • 103 Insert or Send Tracks
  • 10 FX Slots / Track
  • Step Sequencer
  • Piano Roll
  • Event Editor
  • Time Stretching
  • Edison
  • Newtone
  • Audio Clip Generator
  • FL Keys
  • Autogun
  • Drumaxx
  • Drumpad
  • Groove Machine
  • x
  • x
  • x
  • x
  • x
  • x
  • x
  • x
  • x
  • x
  • x
  • x

The Mac & Windows versions have changed a lot since their first release (previously named as Fruity Loops). What was once an entry level software to music production for beat makers has evolved to a full feature software music production environment. The Fruity edition suits beginers which are looking for their first digital audio workstation. The Signature bundle targets experienced producers looking for a DAW combining extensive composing, audio editing, arranging, recording and routing capabilities.

It is available for Windows PC’s running Windows 10, 8, Vista XP. How to get Fl Studio Mac 2018? The OS X version just was released after development from the alpha state. The Mac version is included after purchasing one of the four editions. The native Mac edition is available as 32 Bit, the 64 Bit software is still under development. More informations can be found in the Image Line’s website.

In the studio Fl Mac is pretty stable so far with minorr bugs. The performance on our Macbook Pro was well and we could run sessions with multiple tracks and instruments. If you are interested in this edition please visit the forum regularly in order to stay updated about the development status.

System requirements: At least 2 Ghz Intel Pentium 4 processor with 1Gb or more Ram, 1 Gb free disk space. The OS X version requires at least an Intel Mac running OS X 10.8, 10.9 or later. However the more Ram and more powerfull your system is, the more task you can process at the same time. If you want to run complex sessions with a lot of different instruments and vsti plugin ‘s it is better to install a bigger ram.

Whats has been added to the latest version of Fl Studio? Many details were changed in the layout and its functionality. All windows can now be resized and are adapting to the browser window. This means Fruity Loops fits to all screen sizes. This can be helpful for producers in various situations and window layouts can be sized to different workflow scenarios.

The Fl Plugin ‘s such as: Transistor Bass, Gross Beat, Toxic Biohazard, Sytrus, Directwave and much more have been updated. Many new presets have been added for Vst instruments and fx processors such as Vocodex, Delay Bank, Varazdin Orchestral, Poizone, Harmor, the Parametric Eq and more.

Fl Studio Mac Os Review

Multitouch support has been added which makes it possible to control Fl with most available touch screens and tablets. Unfortunately Slate’s Raven controller isn’t supported yet. With multitouch you can control the whole audio workstation with the touch screen for example the mixer, edit & mix functions and other controls.

With your support Image Line also includes the new Fl studio mobile version for Android, IOS based tablets within your purchase. If you are owning the Akai MPC Renaissance you can use Fl as a plugin. However the Akai MPK Mini Mk 2 works like a charm too. You can control a lot of software features and use the midi keyboards drum pads for drum programming as you would on a regular MPC.

The step sequences are now exchangeable with the piano roll editor & midi files, that comes handy for music producers who want to edit certain chords of programmed sequences. This provides more freedom and creativity so synths and other instruments notes can be sequenced.

Otherwise there have been a lot of stability improvements under the hood as well as a lot of menu changes. Some options have been moved to certain menus in order to improve the usability. The UI’s have been improved and updated as well such as the controllers, icons and more. The sampler and audio clip’s allow now real time stretching so you can add an independent tempo (using the tempo tapper) and pitch variations or experiment with samples using the fruity slicer or Slicex. You could add drum samples from the sliced beats sample packs and stretch them to your project.

Image Line ‘s Fruity Loops has evolved over the years. It is the perfect music production software for beginners as well as for professional producers. Wether you wan’t to sketch basic ideas with the improved pattern editor or produce, arrange & record complex songs this makes it all possible.

Fl is a good addition to other music software such as Cubase or Pro Tools, which are more focused on recording and mixing. We think that you can create basic mixes using the parametric eq, multi band compressor, stereo enhancer and transient processor etc. but other workstations offer more in regards of using outboard gear.

The current version could convince us in all points and a lot has been improved. The new UI is just beautiful and the multi touch support opens way more possibility for musicians in the studio or on the road. It makes it really easy to grab your laptop, keyboard and tablet when you are traveling and you have your fl mobile studio always with you. Other daw developers should follow Image Line ‘s lead and offer updates for free.

The “Producer Edition” has on our opinion all options you would need to start off with a production and provides the best value. If you need more instruments, sfx and features you should have a look at the “Signature Bundle”.

The Fl Studio Fruity Edition is great if you are just starting off and if if you want to compose basic songs, however for complex sessions it might be too limited. You always can upgrade from a lower edition to the next higher bundle anytime at a later date though. A complete list of included instruments and plugins can be found on the Image Line software website. You can download a Fl Studio demo version for free as well.

GarageBand

There’s been a seismic shift in how records are made. Now, you can do it with the built-in software that comes with every Apple computer, thanks to the free GarageBand. Unlike the cartoonish version that debuted in the early aughts, the new GarageBand features a surprisingly serious presentation that roughly mirrors the high-end Logic Pro X digital audio workstation, or DAW. Although GarageBand lacks Logic’s amazing flexibility, vast array of instruments, and powerful mixing and mastering features, it’s almost as powerful when it comes to handling other tasks. The fact that GarageBand is free makes the app all the better, and a clear Editors’ Choice for entry-level recording software.

Setup and User Interface


GarageBand’s basic interface layout mimics that of Logic Pro X and other proper multitrack software. Selecting one brings up the main interface. The top-right portion of the window is where you add and mix new tracks. You click any recorded data to bring up an editor in the bottom portion of the display. Here you can switch between piano roll and score views, an audio editor, and, where appropriate, an EQ tab that displays a beautiful, clean-sounding parametric equalizer for the given track.

The left side of the display shows your selected instrument. The top bar includes icons for triggering the various windows, a transport bar for recording and playback, an LED-style readout for the current beat, bar, tempo, meter, and other information, icons for loop recording, a guitar tuner, a count off, and a metronome. It’s easy to resize the various windows and zoom levels using the on-screen sliders. To the far right, you can launch a Notes page, an audio loop browser, and a media drawer for recorded audio and movies you want to sync music to. Apple also added support for the Force Touch trackpad and Touch Bar that come built into the latest MacBook Pros.

Recording, Smart Controls, and Remote

Recording is as simple as arming a track and clicking the Record icon. You can record at 24 bits with a mic, if you have a USB-powered one or an audio interface with a mic preamp into which you can plug a microphone. You can record and mix up to 255 tracks, and only your audio interface limits how many you can record simultaneously. Basic editing is simple, but if you want to really dig into GarageBand, advanced features are available, too. Flex Time lets you massage the groove of a given audio track, while Groove Matching perfectly matches the timing, tempo, and feel of the other tracks to the one you have set up. These are surprisingly transparent sounding, as long as you use them within reason.

There’s still no proper mixing board. Instead, you use the left side of the Arrangement window as a mixer, with horizontal sliders on each track. There’s a reverb effect, and you can pan tracks from left to right in the stereo field; you can also apply compression to recorded audio tracks. GarageBand includes a basic mastering track to boost your levels and get a finished sound, though it’s nothing like what you’d get in a professional-level digital audio workstation, such as Logic Pro X or Pro Tools. Still, it’s a much-appreciated inclusion in a free recording app.

PROS

  • Streamlined, professional interface.
  • Makes it easy to record and mix music.
  • Apple’s built-in sound and loop library keeps getting bigger and better.
  • Enjoyable instrument lessons, including now-free artist lessons.
  • Supports 24-bit recording and third-party plug-ins.

CONS

  • No mixing console view.

FL Studio

Image-Line’s FL Studio, known affectionately by long-term fans as FruityLoops (the app’s original name, when it debuted in 1998), has matured into a powerful digital audio workstation (DAW). While it’s still clearly geared for electronic music production “in the box,” as opposed to recording live musicians playing acoustic instruments, you can record or create just about any kind of audio project with it. And now, for the first time, Mac users can also join in on the fun. If your memory of FL Studio is closer to its roots—when the Belgian company’s audio editing app looked more like a 1980s Amiga tracker than a proper DAW—prepare to be amazed at how far the program has come.

Setup and User Interface

FL Studio’s vector-based is sharp and easy to read despite its complexity, especially on Retina-class monitors. The UI is fully scalable, even across multiple displays. It also supports multitouch; with an appropriate touch-screen monitor on a PC, you can use it like a live physical mixing board and move multiple faders simultaneously.

Starting from the left side, the Browser contains all of your presets, instruments, audio clips, project files, and other assorted material to work with. The Channel Rack contains whatever sound generators are in use in the current project. The Pattern list shows all of the clips in use. The Playlist serves as the main arranging window, and looks a lot like the view in other DAWs. You can also bring up the piano roll and step sequencer, both of which let you edit more closely. The mixing console and meter bridge view can be set to multiple sizes. You can adjust the borders of or hide any of these windows as you see fit. If you’re used to a much earlier version of FL Studio, prepare to get reoriented; a number of main pieces like the Channel Rack and Pattern Menus have been moved around.

For the first time, FL Studio supports time signatures—you’re not just constrained to 4/4 anymore. You can set time signatures for both patterns and the playlist, and you can play multiple time signatures on top of each other.

Recording, Smart Controls, and Remote

The way each project works is as a collection of patterns—beginning with Pattern 1, which you can find underneath the transport. You can start a song just by clicking on the 16th-note step sequencer buttons to lay down notes, or by right-clicking the channel and choosing Fill in Steps to speed up the process. To add a new sound, select Plugin Preset > Generator, and drag the one you want into the Channel Rack, either over an existing channel or after adding a new one first.

To record from a MIDI keyboard instead, click the Record button, and then choose Everything at the bottom of the dialog box asking what you want to record. When you’re done, CTRL-Q quantizes the notes you recorded in that pattern. As you create new patterns, you drop them into the Playlist, where you can then duplicate them, or zap them with the right button if you change your mind. It’s easy to cut and paste notes, drag them around, adjust their size, and so on; the pattern automatically lengthens and snaps to make building longer ones a quick process. As you work, you can alternate between Song mode, to hear everything, or Pattern mode, to focus on and develop individual patterns.

Most of this is easy enough to grasp, but there are a few odd interface conventions. For example, don’t be fooled by the single Undo and Redo options in the Edit menu drop down; the real undo history is hidden in the Browser, or you can bring it up by hitting CTRL-ALT-Z. And while the interface contains a lot of small, obscure icons, no tool tips seem to appear when you hover over them. Instead, look up and to the top left, where a small window displays the purpose of each element of the interface as you pass the cursor over it. There’s no score editor, so you’ll need something else if you prefer working with music notation.

PROS

  • Brilliant loop and pattern-based MIDI composition tools.
  • Visible automation clips are easy to manipulate.
  • Free lifetime updates.
  • There’s finally a Mac version!

CONS

  • Convoluted, inflexible audio recording (in higher-priced versions).
  • Must manually assign instrument tracks to mixer channels.
  • Built-in sound library could use some updating.
  • Lacks notation editor.

Fl Studio Download Free Mac

Check the price here – Amazon

Conclusions

Fl Studio On Mac Reviews

While there are some clear limitations, you can produce exceptional work using just FL Studio. The preloaded demo song sounds every bit as polished and engaging as you’d expect from a finished master, and it’s created entirely within FL Studio. There are dozens of such demo tracks included; stepping through them is a great way to learn what’s possible with the program, and you can break each one down by its individual pieces to get your own ideas for sounds.

I enjoy the freedom of linear open tracks and unlimited hard drive storage we have today. As a result, I don’t personally take to an environment like FL Studio, which is largely pattern- and loop-oriented (and I felt this way about Ableton Live as well when I tested that program, so read into this what you will). The obvious difference is while you’re still creating patterns like we did back then, the process in FL Studio is visual and flexible in a way it never was with lists of numbers in tiny two-line LCDs, my original point of reference for pattern-based recording. Starting out today with something like FL Studio, you could easily become a natural with the technique.

Fl Studio For Mac Torrent

Even so, FL Studio still feels like a better fit for producing contemporary EDM and hip-hop. While you can use it to record and mix linear audio tracks from, say, a singer/songwriter, or in a rock band context, it’s not FL Studio’s core mission. Of the available packages, FL Studio Producer is probably the best value; at $199 it undercuts both Ableton Live and Propellerhead Reason. FL Studio Producer is flexible enough to get everything you need to be done for in-the-box composition, and without unnecessary restrictions on vocal clip recording or sample editing that the base version brings. If you’ve got the money, by all means, spring for Signature or All Plugins, though you may want to put that cash toward some third-party virtual instruments instead.

Comments are closed.