Image-Line has announced FL Studio 20, celebrating the 20 years of innovation and Lifetime Free Updates. Wait, weren’t we at FL Studio 12?? Well, yes we were, but Image-Line has decided to time-travel and move to a year based numbering system. OK, but isn’t it 2018? Well, yes, yes it is…but can we just move on?
Image-Line claims that FL Studio is “The fastest way from your brain to your speakers” – but one look at that graphical user interface can force a move to adult diapers faster than that…so before we have a meltdown, let’s check out what’s new…
New Features in FL Studio 20:
» Mac version – FL Studio is now available for macOS 10.11 and higher. It’s a native 64-Bit application Including support for Mac VST and AU plugins. Projects made on Mac and Windows are interchangeable. Project interoperability extends to 3rd party plugins installed on both platforms. Existing, Lifetime Free Update, and new customers can unlock FL Studio for Mac and Windows at no extra cost.
» Time Signatures – FL Studio now supports Time Signatures, including unlimited Time Signature changes, independently in both the Playlist and Patterns (Piano rolls). FL Studio’s unique pattern system enables, simultaneous and multiple Time Signatures at any point in the Playlist.
» In-situ rendering (freezing) – Bounce selected Audio and Pattern Clips to audio. Options include; Consolidate Playlist Clip selections or complete tracks. Render Clips to Audio, Render Clips to audio and replace Playlist Pattern Clips. Use these features to compile audio-takes into a single Audio Clip, reduce CPU load by converting real-time synthesis and effects processing to audio or convert MIDI to audio for further processing and resynthesis.
» Playlist Arrangements – The Playlist now supports multiple ‘Arrangements’ (Playlists). Each Arrangement is the complete layout of Audio, Automation and Pattern Clips. Users can now work with multiple versions of their project saving ideas, sound design and arrangements.
» Plug-in Delay Compensation (PDC) – PDC and Automatic PDC have been rebuilt, from the ground up, to support today’s complex workflows. Manual and Auto-PDC can now co-exist. Updates include: Mixer send compensation, Wet/Dry mixer FX compensation, Audio input compensation, Metronome compensation, Plugin Wrapper custom values remembered per-plug-in and improved PDC controls in the Mixer.
FL Studio 20 re-institutes classic features including the Graph Editor, Precomputed FX, plus updates to the Channel Sampler that apparently some users wanted:
» Graph Editor – Returns, better than ever, with improved note editing. Perfect for multi-touch control. The larger the touch display, the bigger users can make their Graph Editors.
» Legacy Precomputed FX – Are back, including; Boost (with or without clipping), EQ, Ring Modulation, Low Pass filter, Reverb, Stereo Delay and Pogo (Pitch bend). FL Studio 20 welcomes back tools that crafted the sound of the 2000’s.
» Channel Sampler – Includes two new Sample Start options. Start Offset – that moves the sample start point and is automatable. Sample Start – that trims the sample data to create a new start point, useful for functions that process the entire sample window.
FL Studio 20 also updates several plug-ins including:
» VFX Level Scaler (New) – Scale Note Properties as received from the Piano roll. The graph shows Input-output mapping for Note – Velocity, Release, Pitch (fine), Pan, Mod X and Mod Y values.
» DirectWave (Update) – Zone’s loop types can now be set for all selected Zones at once. New Copy to selected zones option for some Zone parameters.
» Edison (Update) – 24 Bit file export option.
» Fruity Convolver (Update) – Added PDC control to support new Linear Phase EQ presets, Linear phase EQ (Long compensated) and (Short compensated).
» Fruity Reeverb (Update) – Now a 64 Bit FL plug-in.
» Fruity Reeverb 2 – Modulated reverb using Modulation (amount) and Speed options to break up ‘ringing’ or ‘metallic’ sounds.
» Patcher (Update) – Reduced memory usage.
» ZGameEditor Visualizer (Update) – New project ‘Wizard’ presets. Many new peak-based effects. Layers can be collapsed. Copy/paste layers to and from clipboard. Increased responsiveness to ‘Linear’ peak effect.
There are a ton more enhancements that you can review if you don’t have anything scheduled for 3-4 hours.
FL Studio costs $899 and is available now.
