Discover 10 time-saving techniques in FL Studio with Workflow Hacks

Discover 10 time-saving techniques in FL Studio with Workflow Hacks. As a music producer, efficiency and innovation are crucial in the studio. Guestblogger Mike Rosa used these hacks, tips, and tricks to save time and avoid headaches. Whether you’re a seasoned user or just starting out, these insights will help take your music production to the next level.

#1. Colour Coding Tracks: Enhance Visual Organization

Visual organization is a cornerstone of a seamless workflow. In FL Studio, employ the “Rename, colour, and icon” tab with F2 in the Channel Rack, Mixer, or Playlist to assign unique colours to project elements. This colour coded map facilitates effortless navigation through your composition, ensuring a visually organized workspace.

#2. Create Unique Project Folders: Streamline Your Workspace

To save CPU and speed up your workflow, create unique project folders for each composition to keep all the data in one place and make it easier to manage. Save all relevant data types in this folder and set a custom save location for your current project: options > Project general settings > Data folder. This approach not only ensures that your files are organized but also makes it easier to find specific elements later on when you need them.

#3. CPU Saving Tips: Optimize Performance

Optimize FL Studio’s performance by selecting an Asio device in options > Audio Settings > Input/Output. Asio drivers in your soundcard provide high quality, low-latency audio, reducing CPU load. This optimization ensures a smoother production process, allowing you to focus on your creativity without technical interruptions.

#4. Gain Stage: Master the Art of Balancing Levels

Gain Staging is most probably the biggest time-saving Hack. Gain Staging is simply setting the audio to an optimal level for the next effect in the chain in order to minimize distortion. Proper Gain Staging will give you the best possible sound for your mix. Start at approx. -18db. For audio, use clip gain in the channel settings. For MIDI, adjust the instrument master volume, or reduce the channel volume on the channel rack.

#5. Create Submix Groups (Buses): Streamline Your Mixing Process

Work smart by creating submix groups in FL Studio. This feature enables seamless control of multiple tracks with a single fader, simplifying the mixing process. Right-click on the first track, select Track routing > Create submix, and name the submix group. This efficiently routes selected mixer tracks to Track 1, which is then routed to the Master.

#6. The Insert Space Function: Insert with Precision

Precision is paramount in composition. FL Studio’s Insert Space function (Ctrl+Ins) allows you to create space precisely within your arrangement. Shift all following Pattern Clips forward by creating a space that matches the current selection (Ctrl+Click-and-drag) on the bar numbers. The slice and insert space function (Ctrl+Alt+Ins) further refine this process.

#7. Using the Blur Tool: Smooth Transitions and Creative Flourishes

Unlock FL Studio’s hidden gem—the Blur Tool in Edison. Functioning like a Convolution Reverb, it directly adds to the audio clip, eliminating the need for a separate reverb plugin on the mixer track and saving CPU resources. Access the tool with Ctrl+B or through Tools > Spectral > Blur, this feature is great for vocals and Pads.

#8. Duplicate Mixer Channels: Save Time, Increase Efficiency

Effortlessly duplicate your favourite effects chains in FL Studio. Save a mixer track preset by right-clicking and selecting “File” > “Save mixer track state as…” as a .fst file. Open this preset on another mixer track using “File” > “Open mixer track state…” and select the saved .fst file. Channel 2 becomes an exact copy of channel 1, streamlining your workflow.

#9. Automation: Control Multiple Tracks with One Clip

With automation, you can precisely manipulate parameters over time. From subtle filter sweeps to dramatic volume changes, to save time use the same automation clip for multiple parameters, right-click on the channel volume and select “Link to Controller” instead of “Create Automation Clip”. Then, select the automation clip you want to link to and uncheck “Remove Conflicts” to ensure both sounds are controlled by the same clip.

#10. Cut Itself: Clean and Crisp Arrangements

Save time attaining crisp arrangements. FL Studio’s Cut Itself function prevents overlapping by ensuring only one instance of the sound plays at a time. It’s great for 808s, sampling, and any overlapping sounds that can cause distortion or muddy the mix. In the channel rack Right-click on your instrument and select “cut itself” to end the sample with each new hit.

What Are Your Favourite FL Studio Workflow Hacks?

Incorporating these FL Studio workflow hacks into your music production routine will undoubtedly enhance your creative process. Now, fellow producers, what are your favourite workflow hacks in FL Studio? How do you streamline your production process and save time in the studio? Share your insights and experiences below!