The Music Spaceship I Never Expected to Board

Hey there! Let me share the story of how confusion, persistence, and a bit of luck led me to the software that turned my music dreams into reality. Trust me, it was a journey worth taking!

Grab your drink, get comfy, and let’s dive into how this workflow wizard became my go-to for music production.

Paper Trails

I’ve always relied on manuscript paper to compose my music, but I often run out of pages. This led me to draw staff lines on regular paper just to keep writing.

The key difference between manuscript paper and regular paper is that manuscript paper has pre-printed staff lines, making it easier to keep music notation neat and organized. Regular paper doesn’t have these lines, so you have to draw them with a scale and pencil to align the notes properly.

At one point, I came across Sibelius, a notation software that offered a way to move beyond my old method of writing music. While searching for a guide to help me get started, I quickly realized that Sibelius wasn’t just a tool for traditional notation, it allowed me to create full compositions, complete with playback features that let me hear my work in real time.

Around the same time, I also discovered Muse Score, a free and open-source notation software that offered a similar experience to Sibelius without the cost. It gave me another option for composing and arranging music, and it became clear that these tools weren’t just for notation, they opened up a new way to create music.

While exploring ways to get more out of Sibelius and Muse Score, I noticed other programs starting to appear in my search results, programs not just for notation, but for creating entire pieces of music in different ways. That’s when I first came across the term DAW (Digital Audio Workstation).

Caught in the World of DAWs

Excited, I dove into the rabbit hole of DAWs: Cubase, Ableton Live, Reaper, Cakewalk Sonar, Pro Tools and, of course, FL Studio. The options were endless, but there was a catch, they were all paid, though some had trial versions. (Shoutout to Reaper for its generous 60-day fully functional evaluation period. Kudos to the team behind Reaper!)

I remember when I bought the Roland Juno-G, Focusrite Scarlett Rack, and a few other audio gears. With them came free copies of Cakewalk Sonar LE and Ableton LE DAWs. I gave these DAWs a try, but let’s just say my brain couldn’t keep up.

After weeks of trial and error (and a lot of head-scratching), I called it quits and returned to my reliable staff paper and Sibelius.

Little did I know, my life was about to change, all thanks to a YouTube recommendation.

The Track That Sparked My FL Studio Adventure

One day, I stumbled upon an artist called Basshunter and his track “DotA” on YouTube. Honestly, when I first heard it, I was hooked. Inspired, I grabbed my Roland Juno-G and Casio CTK-5000, trying to replicate those catchy leads and other sounds. But no matter what I did, I couldn’t quite replicate some of the lead sounds in the track.

So, I turned to the internet to find out how Basshunter made “DotA,” what kind of synths and instruments he used, and what went into the making of the track. Almost every tutorial I came across pointed to FL Studio and its built-in synth, Sytrus.

I wasn’t sure if diving in was the right move. With so many DAWs to choose from, FL Studio’s interface looked way more complex than I had imagined, kind of like something NASA might use. I kept wondering, “Is this the right DAW for me, or should I just skip it?”

After some back-and-forth, I decided to give it a go. I figured that if I could get the hang of FL Studio, it would help me build a foundation for tackling other DAWs down the road. And that’s how I found myself starting with FL Studio, even though it took a little time to get comfortable with it.

The “What Am I Even Doing?” Phase

Let me tell you something those first few months with FL Studio were… interesting. The interface had more buttons than my grandmother’s sewing machine collection, and half the time, it felt like I was trying to decode ancient hieroglyphics. But did I give up? Well… almost!

My first attempts at making music were… interesting, to say the least. Here’s a typical session:

“Why can’t I hear my melody?”

Realizes the sound is muted in the Channel Rack.

”How do they make those smooth transitions?”

Spends hours trying to automate a filter but ends up with a weird swoosh sound.

”Why is my track so chaotic?”

Discovers the pattern clips are overlapping in the playlist.

”How do people make those cool wobbly bass sounds?”

Spends 3 hours tweaking one synthesizer preset.

The learning curve felt more like a learning cliff. At first, FL Studio’s interface was intimidating. My early attempts? Let’s just say they were… questionable. But I didn’t quit. I kept pushing forward, and that’s when I stumbled upon SeamlessR on YouTube.

His video, “How To Bass” (featuring FL Studio, Sytrus, and Harmor), was a game changer. Suddenly, FL Studio didn’t feel like a complicated spaceship dashboard, it felt like a hidden world full of possibilities waiting to be explored.

What kept me going with FL Studio, despite the initial confusion? A few things:

• The step sequencer was surprisingly intuitive once I got the hang of it.

• The piano roll became my new best friend (goodbye, staff paper!).

• The integration of automation, which let me add little touches that made my tracks come to life.

• The smooth workflow between the Channel Rack, Piano Roll, and Playlist everything just clicked together once I got comfortable.

• The awesome shortcuts and workflow optimizations that made things faster as I got more familiar with the software.

Day by day, I learned. I experimented, failed, and tried again. Slowly but surely, I started creating tracks that actually sounded good (well, most of the time).

The Wild Plugin Crew!

Day by day, month by month, something amazing happened, I actually started getting good at FL Studio, and then I met the wild crew of plugins. These quirky tools turned FL Studio into something out of this world, like a sci-fi movie you can’t stop watching. Let’s talk about the plugins that make FL Studio feel like it’s in a class of its own:

Toxic Biohazard

This plugin’s name sounds like it’s straight out of a post-apocalyptic thriller, right? If you ever wanted to make your music sound like it was created in a secret lab filled with radioactive goo, this is your go-to.

• Gives off mad scientist vibes.

• FM and Subtractive synthesis hybrid – so your sounds can be both dark and mysterious.

• The filter’s warm but dangerous, just like a good villain.

• Honestly if I had to describe this in one word, it’s spooky!

PoiZone

If there was a plugin to give you an identity crisis, this might be it. It sounds like some mysterious tech from a dystopian future… but it’s here to help you create punchy, fat sounds. Trust me, it’s more powerful than it sounds.

• 2 oscillators with SAW and PULSE waves, super basic but oh-so-satisfying.

• Unison with stereo panning for that extra spice.

• The filter can track your keys because, why not?

• “I am PoiZone. No, wait… am I?”

• Seriously though, someone at Image Line had too much fun naming this one.

Morphine

Okay, okay, I get it. The name here feels like they’re trying to create a little shock factor. But let’s look past the name and focus on what it can actually do. This is the additive synthesizer that actually feels like it could change your entire sound.

• 128 harmonic oscillators more harmonics than you can count (seriously).

• Resynthesis that turns any audio sample into something new and funky.

• Morphing that can have your sounds shifting in real time talk about fluid creativity.

• “This is Morphine… Don’t worry, it’s just the music.”

• For real though, the name makes me giggle, but the power is legit. It’s like it took a ton of pills for inspiration (please don’t take that literally).

Sakura

The name might make you think you’re in a Japanese garden, but in reality, you’re diving deep into string modeling that can create anything from a guitar pluck to a bowed piano. Think of it as the plugin that hits all the right notes… except the name.

• Pluck it like a guitar… or a piano, or a harp, or whatever you imagine!

• Dual string modeling for super intricate sound control.

• Resonators that give you that vintage instrument vibe.

• Sakura = cherry blossom… or is it? You tell me.

• “Honestly, you’d think Sakura would be zen and peaceful, but the sound can get quite intense if you push it hard enough.

Sawer

This one feels like it stepped straight out of the ’80s. With a dash of analog grit and a sprinkle of “whoops, we messed up the tuning and it’s actually awesome” Sawer delivers a sound that’s weirdly charming and unstable (in the best way possible).

• Saw wave oscillator classic, but never boring.

• Noise oscillator for that extra edge.

• 8 voice unison stereo panning to make it feel like your sound is everywhere.

• Filters that give you grungy analog vibes or ultra-clean sweeps.

• “Did you really just say ‘Sawer’? Yeah, it’s that serious.”

• You know, it’s like the sound you get when you’re too stubborn to tune your guitar and the results are just… magical?

Ogun

Okay, so Ogun might sound like the name of a mythical deity (because it kind of is), but it’s actually the plugin that lets you summon complex metallic sounds from the depths of additive synthesis. It’s like creating soundscapes where gods and machines collide.

• Additive synthesis with a focus on metallic timbres perfect for those sci-fi or industrial vibes.

• Real-time frequency modulation that’s like playing God with sound.

• Massive tonal control, like you’re sculpting sound out of raw metal.

• The name Ogun sounds mysterious and ancient, but the sounds it creates are anything but ancient, this plugin is timeless.

Gross Beat

“Ah, Gross Beat, the ultimate time manipulator. This plugin isn’t just another tool in your FL Studio arsenal, it’s like that chaotic friend who shows up uninvited but somehow turns every party into memories that last forever. If you’ve ever wondered how some tracks feel like they’ve bent reality, Gross Beat is probably behind it.

• Real-time pitch and time manipulation, it’s like your music went on a time-traveling joyride.

• Perfect for glitches, scratches, and gated effects, think DJ wizardry meets sci-fi chaos.

• Includes preset time envelopes for instant madness (or genius).

• Allows for custom envelope drawing because sometimes you just want to doodle… with sound.

Gross Beat is that wildcard in plugin lineup it doesn’t follow rules, and honestly, it probably laughs at the idea of rules. But when it hits, it hits hard, like dropping a time warp bomb into your music.

FL Chan (Fruity Dance)

Last but definitely not least, we have FL Chan, the star of the FL Studio universe. She’s the tiny animated mascot of FL Studio who dances to your music like no one’s watching. Whether your track is fire or… well a little offbeat, she’s there, groovin’ to it all with no judgment.

• She’s the unofficial but totally official mascot of FL Studio.

• Her dancing is absolutely adorable, she’ll make you feel like you’re at a party every time you hit play.

• The best part? She doesn’t just sit there, she bops along to your music, adding a little extra fun to your workflow.

There are so many more plugins waiting to be explored, like DirectWave, Harmor, Sytrus, FLEX, and more each with their own quirks and surprises. I’ll spare you the endless rambling for now (otherwise, this blog might just turn into a full blown encyclopedia), but don’t worry, I’ll cover them in future blogs 🙂

A Journey of Updates, Upgrades, and Endless Improvements

What first drew me to FL Studio was its appealing price and the promise of Lifetime Free Updates. After experimenting with the trial version, I decided to purchase FL Studio Fruity.

Just a few months later, I upgraded to the Producer Edition. A year into my journey, the Signature Bundle became the highest edition available, so I naturally made the leap. After years of using FL Studio, the All Plugins Edition was released, and I, of course, upgraded to that as well.

What makes this journey even more exciting is the continuous flow of updates that I receive, thanks to the Lifetime Free Updates policy.

Whether it’s a major upgrade or a minor tweak, each new release brings fresh features and improvements, ensuring that FL Studio keeps evolving and getting better with time!

A Journey of Growth and Nostalgia

I’ve been using FL Studio for over 10 years now, and every time I open it, it’s like reconnecting with an old friend. Finding this program was one of those lucky moments, and I’m so thankful it became a part of my journey.

It’s filled with so many great memories and moments that make me laugh. One of the biggest things that stands out? The sheer number of tracks I’ve made, many of which sound like they were recorded using a potato microphone and exported using a broken toaster.😂

And, let’s not forget the track names. Who needs creativity when you can just mash the keyboard? Here are a few of my masterpieces: acsdfd, randombassdrop, finalfinalfinalcut, odqjwndqqw, idkthatsnew, iwasjusttesting… you get the idea! xD

But looking back, it’s wild to see how much I’ve grown. Honestly, it’s like learning your first chord on the guitar and then being able to play a full song. And yes, I know what you’re thinking: “Were your old tracks really that bad?” Trust me, they were. Like, reallyyyy bad. 😅

Wrap up

As I reflect on my journey with FL Studio, it’s incredible to see how far I’ve come, from struggling with confusing interfaces to creating music I’m truly proud of. This software has not only been my creative tool but also a companion, evolving alongside me through every misstep, breakthrough, and experiment.

What started as a simple curiosity has blossomed into a long-lasting passion that I continue to explore, grow, and share with all of you.

I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported me along this journey, whether you’ve been with me since the beginning or you’ve just joined recently.

I am truly thankful for each and every one of you, as your encouragement has been invaluable in helping me improve my music production skills and nurturing my passion. You’ve been there for me through both the highs and the lows, sometimes without me even realizing I needed it.

To all my subscribers and supporters, thank you so much for everything you’ve done for me. I hope your journey is filled with as much growth and passion as mine has been, and I wish you all nothing but endless success as you continue your own creative adventures. 🙏

If you’re interested in exploring my music further, feel free to check out all my tracks on my YouTube channel. I’d love for you to join me on this creative journey!