Fl Studio Bpm Keeps Changing

Audio Production FL Studio In this tutorial we are going to cover how to use FL Studio's master pitch and tempo tools to create a massive slow down you'll hear at the end of some songs. This effect first came from records that would slow down as they came to an end and caused a drop in pitch and speed. Grab the sample and stretch it to where you'd like it. Tip: hold (alt) on your keyboard if you'd like to resize the sample freely. Warning: stretching a sample is going to change the speed of the sample.

When it comes to making beats in FL Studio, there are literally hundreds of ways to use samples!

In this tutorial, you'll learn the easiest method for making sample-based beats.

Now let's get started at the very beginning…

Step 1: Prepare your samples for your project

Step one is to find songs or sounds you want to sample.

I recently wrote a guide that covers this strategy in detail.

It covers all the best places to find songs and loops you can download.

Check it out here ?

Using the right samples is key to your success as a beat maker. Learn where to find samples in this ultimate guide.

Once you've downloaded audio files you want to sample, it's time to create a new FL Studio project.

How to import samples into FL Studio

Step two is to extract the section you want to sample.

To do this, we'll use Edison to import the audio file.

Open Edison by clicking on its icon in the menu.

Next, import the audio file you downloaded in the previous step.

With the full audio file loaded into Edison, it's time to start sampling.

Use Edison to play the audio file until you find a section of the song you want to sample.

Ideally, you want to find at least 4 bars of music that loop seamlessly.

Once you've found a loop, you can drag along the waveform to highlight it.

After you've highlighted the loop, you can send it to the Playlist.

How to find the tempo of samples in FL Studio

Once the sample is in the Playlist, you'll want to find its tempo.

Finding the tempo is essential. It helps you align the BPM of your project with your sample. This ensures that the elements in your beat are in rhythm.

Here's how you find the tempo:

Fl Studio Bpm Keeps Changing Windows 10

Start by aligning the sample with the start of the song in the Playlist. Then change your project tempo settings until the loop matches the bars of the grid.

This confirms that your project tempo is in sync with your sample.

Another way to find the BPM of your sample is to use FL Studio's tempo detection feature.

Just right click the waveform icon in the top left corner of the audio file, and click on Detect tempo.

In the new dialog window that pops up, click the option with the widest range.

Then, the software will provide an estimated tempo of the sample.

But sometimes the result is wrong. Your best bet is to learn how to count beats using the first method.

How to find the key of samples in FL Studio

After you've found the tempo, you may want to find the key.

This step requires some basic music theory, and is entirely optional.

To manually find the key of your sample, open a new instance of a simple instrument plugin, like FL Keys, in the channel rack.

Then listen to the loop, and play the notes on your piano roll that make up the chords of the music.

If you're unsure what key makes up the notes, refer to a reference chart.

Step 2: Slice your samples

Now that you have the tempo (and key), it's time to slice and arrange your sample.

Here are your options:

Option #1 is to use the loop as the foundation of your beat.

Option #2 is to chop the loop to create a new pattern.

Let's discuss both…

How to loop samples in FL Studio

If you're satisfied with the loop as it stands, you can repeat it throughout your track.

To loop your samples, use the Paint tool to add new instances of the loop in the Playlist, as many times as you want.

Quick tip:

If you plan to customize the loops, you'll want to make each sample unique.

Otherwise, you'll end up changing ALL the loops in your track.

How to chop samples in FL Studio

If you prefer to chop your loops, you'll want to use a sampler instrument.

Using a sampler, you can split your loops into sections and arrange them into new patterns.

For this tutorial, we're going to use Fruity Slicer.

Other tools, like Slicex and various third party samplers, offer more advanced customization. But that's beyond the scope of this tutorial…

So what's the difference between Fruity Slicer and Slicex, you ask?

Here's a simple answer:

Slicex is a sampler instrument AND an audio editor. This makes it great for customizing each slice and sampling drum loops.

Fruity Slicer is just a sampler instrument, and is simpler to use.

So for now, let's return to Fruity Slicer to keep things simple…

First, open a new instance of Fruity Slicer in your sequencer.

Next, load the sample by clicking on the sample button, and choosing 'load sample'. Navigate to the audio file you want to import.

Once you load the sample, change the tempo of Fruity Slicer to the tempo of the sample.

Now it's time to chop the sample.

Click the slicing button and choose from the incremental options.

I recommend you choose 'Beat' as your slicing option for the best results.

You can choose to slice by fractions if you prefer, but using more slices will add complexity later.

At this stage, you should have your samples loaded and key mapped to your midi keyboard (if you're using one).

Now you can use Fruity Slicer like any other virtual instrument to make your own patterns.

Step 3: Arrange your sample

You've finally made it to the fun part!

With your slices loaded in your sampler, it's time to put your arrangement together.

Draw the notes into your piano roll to find a pattern that fits your beat.

Or play the samples on your midi keyboard while recording into FL Studio.

Experiment with your samples to put your beat together.

Since sampling is the focus of this tutorial, we're going to skip the part where you add to your beat.

Step two is to extract the section you want to sample.

To do this, we'll use Edison to import the audio file.

Open Edison by clicking on its icon in the menu.

Next, import the audio file you downloaded in the previous step.

With the full audio file loaded into Edison, it's time to start sampling.

Use Edison to play the audio file until you find a section of the song you want to sample.

Ideally, you want to find at least 4 bars of music that loop seamlessly.

Once you've found a loop, you can drag along the waveform to highlight it.

After you've highlighted the loop, you can send it to the Playlist.

How to find the tempo of samples in FL Studio

Once the sample is in the Playlist, you'll want to find its tempo.

Finding the tempo is essential. It helps you align the BPM of your project with your sample. This ensures that the elements in your beat are in rhythm.

Here's how you find the tempo:

Fl Studio Bpm Keeps Changing Windows 10

Start by aligning the sample with the start of the song in the Playlist. Then change your project tempo settings until the loop matches the bars of the grid.

This confirms that your project tempo is in sync with your sample.

Another way to find the BPM of your sample is to use FL Studio's tempo detection feature.

Just right click the waveform icon in the top left corner of the audio file, and click on Detect tempo.

In the new dialog window that pops up, click the option with the widest range.

Then, the software will provide an estimated tempo of the sample.

But sometimes the result is wrong. Your best bet is to learn how to count beats using the first method.

How to find the key of samples in FL Studio

After you've found the tempo, you may want to find the key.

This step requires some basic music theory, and is entirely optional.

To manually find the key of your sample, open a new instance of a simple instrument plugin, like FL Keys, in the channel rack.

Then listen to the loop, and play the notes on your piano roll that make up the chords of the music.

If you're unsure what key makes up the notes, refer to a reference chart.

Step 2: Slice your samples

Now that you have the tempo (and key), it's time to slice and arrange your sample.

Here are your options:

Option #1 is to use the loop as the foundation of your beat.

Option #2 is to chop the loop to create a new pattern.

Let's discuss both…

How to loop samples in FL Studio

If you're satisfied with the loop as it stands, you can repeat it throughout your track.

To loop your samples, use the Paint tool to add new instances of the loop in the Playlist, as many times as you want.

Quick tip:

If you plan to customize the loops, you'll want to make each sample unique.

Otherwise, you'll end up changing ALL the loops in your track.

How to chop samples in FL Studio

If you prefer to chop your loops, you'll want to use a sampler instrument.

Using a sampler, you can split your loops into sections and arrange them into new patterns.

For this tutorial, we're going to use Fruity Slicer.

Other tools, like Slicex and various third party samplers, offer more advanced customization. But that's beyond the scope of this tutorial…

So what's the difference between Fruity Slicer and Slicex, you ask?

Here's a simple answer:

Slicex is a sampler instrument AND an audio editor. This makes it great for customizing each slice and sampling drum loops.

Fruity Slicer is just a sampler instrument, and is simpler to use.

So for now, let's return to Fruity Slicer to keep things simple…

First, open a new instance of Fruity Slicer in your sequencer.

Next, load the sample by clicking on the sample button, and choosing 'load sample'. Navigate to the audio file you want to import.

Once you load the sample, change the tempo of Fruity Slicer to the tempo of the sample.

Now it's time to chop the sample.

Click the slicing button and choose from the incremental options.

I recommend you choose 'Beat' as your slicing option for the best results.

You can choose to slice by fractions if you prefer, but using more slices will add complexity later.

At this stage, you should have your samples loaded and key mapped to your midi keyboard (if you're using one).

Now you can use Fruity Slicer like any other virtual instrument to make your own patterns.

Step 3: Arrange your sample

You've finally made it to the fun part!

With your slices loaded in your sampler, it's time to put your arrangement together.

Draw the notes into your piano roll to find a pattern that fits your beat.

Or play the samples on your midi keyboard while recording into FL Studio.

Experiment with your samples to put your beat together.

Since sampling is the focus of this tutorial, we're going to skip the part where you add to your beat.

This is where you would enhance your arrangement with bass, drums, one-shot vocal samples, sound FX, etc.

So let's move on to step 3 for some tips on improving your sample-based beats.

Tips for improving your samples

After you've set the foundation for your arrangement, you can customize your samples in the mixer.

Tip #1: Make room for the low end

Oftentimes your samples will include elements that detract from the overall mix.

Fl Studio Bpm Keeps Changing

This can lead to tracks that sound busy.

Your best bet is to use EQ to remove unnecessary elements.

But be careful when removing frequencies. Dynamic range is essential in music.

Tip #2: Customize the character of your samples

You might want to add mixing effects to change the feel of the sample.

For example, you can apply reverb, echo or time stretching effects to alter the sample.

There are also plenty of advanced techniques to help you create unique versions of your samples, which we'll explore later.

Tip #3: Create your own mixing presets.

Fl Studio Bpm Keeps Changing Song

Once you've experimented with enough plugins, you'll find particular settings that you like.

Be sure to save your favorite configurations as presets.

As you work, create new mixing channels for your samples, and save your configurations.