Harmonizer Tool for Piano Roll: Automatically generates countermelodies. This newly released piano roll tool lets you easily scroll through possible harmonizations for any melody or riff. ⬇️ Download Piano Roll AutoHarmonizer
Crazy Warping Preset: Craving time-warping wizardry? This Replay preset in Patcher lets you capture, manipulate, and replay sections of your track with a single button. Twist time and control the beat. ⬇️ Grab the plugin here
New for Patrons: Fusions Sample Pack
A sample pack with over 100 samples and 10 incredible artisanal loops by holdorviden that fuse together a wide variety of influences. Really fantastic, unusual, and inspiring pack! ⬇️ Try it out here.
EQ First, or Compression?
Are you adding the noise gate on your reverbs?
The Chicken or the Egg? Ever scratched your head deciding whether to EQ or compress first in your mix? You're not alone.
The Dilemma It matters because the order isn't just a flip of a coin; it’s a domino effect. EQ before compression changes how the compressor reacts; do it after, and you might have more control.
Team Compression First First time mixer? Try using compression first. Why? Trust us, your EQ settings can get messed up by a compressor that follows them. Compression can color or even undo your EQ!
Team EQ First Caught some boomy notes while recording that acoustic guitar? Or a singer who can't resist tapping the mic? EQ those party fouls away first. If you miss it, then your compressor will magnify those little errors into headline news.
Final Thoughts No hard rules, just guidelines. The key is understanding how EQ and compression influence each other. So try both approaches on different tracks and trust your ears!
3 Powerful Ways to Use the Piano Roll
Want to go beyond the basics and unlock the full potential of FL Studio's Piano Roll? Here are 3 essential techniques that will supercharge your workflow and creativity:
1: 🎹 Create Dynamic Expressions
Take your melodies and chords from flat to lively by tweaking note velocities.
How: Select a group of notes in the Piano Roll, then manually adjust the velocity parameter. You can also right click and drag to create a gradual increase or decrease in velocity.
Impact: Adds expressiveness to your melody, making it feel more 'human' and less robotic.
💡 Tip: Velocity isn't just for dynamics; you can use it to control various parameters in your instruments for more nuanced textures.
2: 🎼 Utilize Ghost Notes for Better Composition
Ever found yourself stuck while composing a melody or chord progression? Ghost notes can guide you.
How: Enable the 'Ghost Notes' feature to view the notes of other channels in the Piano Roll. This allows you to harmonize and compose more effectively.
Impact: Offers a visual guide for creating complementary basslines, melodies, and chord progressions.
💡 Hint: To differentiate between your active and ghost notes, you can change the ghost note color in the settings
3: 🔄 Automate with Control Changes
Beyond the notes, you can also automate other parameters like pitch, resonance, and pan directly within the Piano Roll.
How: Click on the "Control" dropdown on the bottom left of the piano roll and pick the parameter you want to edit, for example, pitch. Edit the pitch to your heart's content!
Impact: Adds another layer of expression and movement to your tracks, making your composition more dynamic and engaging. Great for drums.
💡 Caution: Too much automation can make your track feel busy or chaotic. Use it sparingly for maximum impact.