FL Studio has a lot of options and settings for MIDI, and for a beginner, it can be hard to figure out what they all do.
In this quick guide, I’ll break them down and make them easy to understand.
MIDI Output Settings
First, let’s look at the output settings. These settings control where FL Studio sends information to your MIDI pads or controllers. Here’s what you need to know:
Output is where you choose the output port for your MIDI controller.
This is important if you want your controller to match the tempo of FL Studio. Just pick a port number that you want to use for syncing.
Send Master Sync is where you turn on or off the sync feature for your MIDI controller.
Turn this on if your MIDI controller has play and stop buttons that work with FL Studio.
It will make sure that both FL Studio and your controller are in sync with each other.
But if your controller doesn’t have this feature, leave it off. Otherwise, you might run into some problems or crashes.
The synchronization type setting is related to the send master sync option.
Different MIDI controllers have different ways of counting bars and beats. So you need to choose the right time format from the menu to ensure that your controller and FL Studio are on the same page.
MIDI Input Settings
Next, let’s look at the input settings. These settings control how FL Studio receives information from your MIDI controller. Here’s what you need to know:
Input is where you enable the MIDI input by clicking the “Enable” button. You should see a green light that means it’s working.
If you don’t see your controller on the list, try clicking the Refresh Device List option to fix any connection issues.
Controller Type is where you choose the type of MIDI controller that you have.
FL Studio has some presets for different controllers that make things easier for you.
If your controller is on the list, choose it. If not, pick the option “Generic Controller.”
The input and output ports should be the same for your MIDI controller to communicate properly with FL Studio and avoid confusion.
You don’t have to use a port, but it can give you some extra options for routing.
Omni Preview MIDI Channel
The Omni Preview MIDI Channel setting lets you assign keys to channels in the channel rack.
This can be useful if you want to make drum kits or play different sounds with different keys.
But most of the time, you don’t need this option, so you can leave it off unless you want it.
Song Marker Jump and Performance Mode
The Song Marker Jump option lets you jump to different parts of your song by pressing a button on your MIDI controller.
This is mainly useful if your controller has sync features, so you can quickly move around your song.
Also, FL Studio has a Performance Mode that lets you create loops and play them with buttons on your MIDI controller, which is great for live shows.
But remember that recording loops live might not work in Performance Mode.
Generator Muting
The Generator Muting option is right below the performance mode channel port option. It lets you mute and unmute channels with your MIDI controller.
This can be a handy feature if you want to change the sound output during live shows.
You can also use the Toggle on the Release option to mute channels by holding a button and unmuting them when you let go of the button.
Velocity Curve and Modulation Settings
The Velocity Curve setting changes how FL Studio reacts to the velocity sensitivity of your MIDI keyboard.
Changing the curve affects how loud or soft the notes sound based on how hard or soft you press the keys.
The Mod X and Mod Y options control modulation parameters, which are like effects that change the sound of the notes in different ways.
Release Link and Auto Accept Detected Controllers
The Release Link setting defines how the MIDI controller releases notes.
Depending on your controller’s capabilities, you can adjust the release curve to control how quickly the notes decay or sustain.
When enabled, the auto-accept detected controllers option automatically links the detected controller to FL Studio.
However, note that you may still need to manually accept the connection by clicking the “Accept” button.
Foot Pedal Controls and Image Line Remote
If you have a foot pedal connected to your MIDI controller, the Foot Pedal Controls option allows you to control the note-off functionality.
By using a foot pedal, you can sustain notes until you release the pedal.
However, some VST plugins may have specialized uses for the foot pedal, and turning off this option can resolve compatibility issues.
Lastly, FL Studio offers Image-Line Remote, a mobile application that enables control of FL Studio via Wi-Fi.
Enabling this option allows you to control FL Studio remotely from your phone, offering convenient flexibility for music production.
I hope this was helpful and informative for you. If you think I have missed something or have any questions, suggestions, or comments, please leave a comment below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I set up MIDI in FL Studio?
To set up MIDI in FL Studio, you need to connect your MIDI device to your computer, then go to Options > MIDI Settings and select your device from the list. You can also import or export MIDI files from the File menu.
Why is FL Studio not reading MIDI?
FL Studio may not read MIDI if your device is not recognized, not enabled, or not configured properly in the MIDI Settings. You can try to find the device manually, update the driver, or use a third-party tool like MIDI-OX to troubleshoot.