Producer
TECH
PRICE
£170
for the full version
CONTACT
fl
studio.image-line.com
STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE
Hard dance DJ Kustki gets to grips with the new FL Studio 9
version of Fruity Loops
“HAVING not used Fruity Loops trigger-based music “FL Studio doesn’t tie you down to using its own plug-in fea-
VERDICT
sequencer since its 1.0 conception in the late-’90s, I was ex- tures, which is a great asset. Instead, you are free to use any
cited to catch up with this old friend and see what new tricks external plug-ins within the application. Another nice touch
BUILD QUALITY n/a
she has learned over the years. is that you can use any of the FL plug-ins with any other host
EASE OF USE 4.0
“The fi rst thing I noticed was the lack of support for the Mac application, a great concept that some of its rivals should FEATURES 4.0
OSX operating systems. FL Studio 9 is strictly for PC users, note. In a lot of other applications, this can only be done VALUE FOR MONEY 4.0
which is interesting given that so much of the creative com- using the rewire option. SOUND QUALITY 4.0
munity have adopted the Mac as their weapon of choice in the “Rewire is basically a way of using one application’s plug-ins
studio. within another application by having them running at the
HYPE
same time. The rewire option is still available in FL Studios,
A nice simple package with
enough pro elements to tempt
“FL Studio, or ‘Fruity Loops’ as most of us know it, is an all- although I had mixed results experimenting with it.
new users into the production
in-one production suite with an emphasis on creativity and
arena.
trying to make the production process as easy as possible. On “Overall, Fruity Loops’ ninth release is a mature feature-
FL Studio 9, the trigger-based environment of old has since packed production environment that has avoided the classic
GRIPE
been pushed to the background in favour of a more modern pitfall of becoming bloated and cumbersome to use and learn
Can’t be used on Macs.
linear sequencer, such as Cubase. It is still easy enough to get — something I have found with the later editions of certain
A very useful production tool
to grips with, although the step sequencer is still an option other programs.
with loads of features and an
for the diehard hardware studio fans. “As a relatively new user, I found my way around FL Studio
emphasis on ease-of-use and
“The package includes a vast array of virtual instruments 9 in no time at all and was throwing beats together im-
making music quickly.
that FL claims can reproduce any sound imaginable. But I was mediately. Although the feature set might not match Logic,
happy enough playing with the presets provided, which offer Cubase and Pro Tools, it is more than capable of producing
some great, full-bodied sounds across the full spectrum of professional quality tracks and all at a great entry-level price
modern dance music genres. point.”
4/5
GET INTO the habit of IT IS vital to leave enough SPEND TIME cleaning studio TO CREATE a makeshift vocal
working at regular times. room on your hard disks to clutter and organising your booth, fi nd a suitable
When inspiration is lacking avoid running problems. A computer. Spending half an cupboard and hang up some
tackle the boring jobs like good rule of thumb is to hour looking for a cable or a blankets on the walls and
TIPS
tidying up arrangements or leave at least 15% of your sample is a great way to ceiling. This will work
your hard drive. total hard drive space free. waste time and lose surprisingly well for
inspiration. recording great vocals.
www.djmag.com
113
DJ481.tech_producer.indd 113 30/11/09 11:01:03
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