How to Make Beats With Fruity Loops

Fruity Loops, also referred to as FL Studio, is an enhanced digital music recording software equip with virtual music plugins designed to produce authentic sound. This program was developed as a means of access to production tools for up-and-coming music producers. It is a user-friendly program to ensure all producers can make beats, regardless of technical or production experience. Therefore, you, too, can learn how to make creative beats in Fruity Loops in a matter of minutes.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer
• Fruity Loops Music Software

1. Open Fruity Loops. The program should have an icon on your desktop. In most cases, recent versions are entitled FL Studio and will display an image of an orange. Double-click on this link and allow the program to open and load successfully before advancing. (See Resources for downloading and installation.)

2. 
   Step Sequencer

   Choose the amount of measures you desire. When Fruity Loops opens, you will see a step sequencer with one default channel preset plugin labeled "Sampler." Directly above this channel preset, there will be a number lever. For learning purposes, scroll the number lever down to 8, 12, or 16 so your measures can be even for looping. The blank buttons to the right of the channel preset will expand.

3. Access and choose your channel preset plugins. There should be a browser located in a pane on the left side of the screen. If the browser is not displayed, simply click on the "View" tab at the top of the screen and check "Browser" in its drop down menu. Click on the "Channel Presets" tab and a drop down menu will open.Right-click on the plugin you want and select "Open in New Channel." It will then be transferred to the step sequencer. Repeat this action for any other plugins you desire.

4. Create the first pattern for your beat. Each pattern serves as a different part of the song, such as a chorus, bridge, or verse. The buttons on the right side of each channel's plugin will be designated for keying in the beat. Use the buttons on the right side to incorporate sound exactly where you desire. Press the play button in the top navigation menu to review the loop. Light up the arrow button at the top of the step sequencer to hear the beat loop repeatedly.

5. Make more patterns if you desire. On the "Playlist" screen, right click over "Pattern 1" and click on the "Clone Selected" action. A duplicate of "Pattern 1" will automatically be created for "Pattern 2." You can edit each pattern to avoid keying in each pattern by hand. Repeat for any additional patterns.

Tips & Warnings

• Download the Fruity Loops Bible for tips and tweaking. (See Resources.)
• Save your creation before closing the program. If you do not, there will be no way to recover your work. Click on the "File" tab at the top of the screen and select the "Save As" action. Name your beat when the window opens and click on the "Save" action.

References

• WarBeats Fruity Loops Tutorials

Resources

• Fruity Loops Bible
• Fruity Loops Downloading and Installation Assistance