What can Fruity Loops do for your music career? More than you can imagine.
FL Studio, formerly known as Fruity Loop Studios, is an all-in-one music production software that anyone can use to help craft, create, and mix music. From tracking elements to sequencing with drag and drop capabilities, FL Studio takes music to a whole new level, all with their software available on any device, including mobile.
The desktop version of Fl Studio is downloaded and installed an average of 30,000 times a day. It is considered one of the most popular music production systems available today. From free demos to all-inclusive bundles, FL Studio has a product for everyone.
FL Studio Features
Fl Studios is a software that is an all-in-one music production environment that provides multi-track audio recording, sequencing, and mixing of professional-level music tracks. It features several versions available on Windows or Mac, with a separately purchased mobile app. There are several editions and levels of functionality available for purchase.
- Lifetime Updates: When you purchase any edition or Bundle of FL Studio, you get every single future release of FL Studio and those updates for free within the scope of the edition purchased. (It only includes the plugins that were available at the time of the purchases.)
- The Mixer: To create complex productions, FL Studios has all the features needed. The mixer functions allow near-limitless creations from effect chains, sidechain control, audio sends, advanced automation, and plugin delay compensation.
- Browser and Playlist: Fl Studio has one of the most flexible workflows for a DAW (digital workstation). This audio editor enables you to sequence elements and place data types anywhere and overlay them. The Browser helps organize and track all the data in the project and provides access to projects, samples, preset libraries, and plugin databases.
- Piano Roll: FL Studio’s Piano Roll has one of the best reputations in the industry. The Piano roll is full of tools and plugins that make sequencing and editing efficient and effective. The grid is user-selectable, allowing for unlimited complexity and composition.
- Plugin Instruments and Effects: With an extensive library of instruments and effects, this software is sure to have anything you might want to create your next artistic masterpiece. However, if this vast offering is not good enough, FL Studio does support all VST (virtual standard technology) standards 1,2 and 3, which gives access to an impressive variety of 3rd party plugins. Fl Studio can also be used as a VST plugin with another VST hosting service.
- Extensive User Manual: Available for both the desktop version and mobile app, FL Studio has impressive user manuals that unlock the software’s full potential. As searchable content with a detailed outline, getting the most out of your purchase is easier than ever. With detailed instructions and user videos, getting the information you need is only a few clicks away.
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FL Studio Pricing
With a one-time lifetime purchase, FL Studio is yours. No annual fees, no upgrade or update fees.
As a bonus, FL Studio provides lifetime updates for free.
1. FL Studio Fruity Edition – $99
The Fruity Edition is ideal for entry-level users. It has the playlist, piano roll, and pattern clips for sequencing. VST/Rewire support is also available so that FL studio can be an instrument in other DAW hosts, and it can also host any VST 1, 2, or 3.
It does not come with audio clips, audio recordings, or certain editors like Slicex or Edison.
2. Fl Studio Producer Edition – $199
For those looking for the highest level of function with FL Studio, the Producer Edition delivers. The Producer Edition offers full recording and internal and external audio tools. Plugins include Edison, Maximus, Vocodex, and Slicex.
3. FL Studio Signature Bundle – $299
In addition to the Producer Edition, the Signature Bundle comes with an impressive list of “signature” or most advanced plugins FL Studio produces. Their signature plugins include the Fruity Video Player, NewTone, Pitcher, Gross Beat, and the Hardcore Guitar Suite.
4. All Plugins Bundle – $499
For the most cost-effective way of getting everything that FL Studio offer, the All-Plugins Bundle has everything. By purchasing everything, there is about a 60% discount compared to individual purchases of each plugin.
| Fruity | Producer | Signature | All Plugins | |
| Price | $99 | $199 | $29 | $499 |
| Editors | 0 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Instruments and Effects | 82 | 86 | 92 | 102 |
| Audio Recording | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Audio Clips | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Free Updates | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
5. Mobile Version – $14.99
For current users of FL Studio, the mobile app is an on-the-go solution to making music. It has many features available, but the workflow and flexibility are not comparable to the desktop version. With Wi-Fi sharing, you can easily start, fine-tune, or end a project and move between devices. The mobile app is more of a creative notepad than a fully functioning, stand-alone product and is available on IOS and Android.
The mobile app and any edition or bundle of FL Studio is sold separately. Purchasing one does not give access to the other.
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Additional Costs
Since FL Studio has a lifetime guarantee of free updates, there are no hidden costs. The only thing to purchase would be newly released plugins for those who buy the All Plugins Bundle.
But for those who do not need everything that FL Studio offers or who are not ready to make that much of an investment, FL Studio does offer Plugins to be purchased as required. Those plugins will be automatically deducted from the overall bundle price if you upgrade and buy a bundle.
Though they are generous with their plugins and updates, your purchase only covers what they currently offer. Any future releases of plugins will have to be purchased separately. They also have a reduced bundle cost for those that have already purchased bundles.
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Free Trial
Fl Studio offers an unlimited time free trial that is equivalent to their All-Plugins Bundle. This way, you can test drive and try out every single feature and plugin that they offer. Within the free trial, FL Studio does mark each element to which package it correlates.
The only limitation is that projects cannot be saved or reopened. Once an edition or bundle is purchased and unlocked, the project will be unlocked and accessible. Should a plugin have been used in the trial project that was not part of the edition or bundles purchased, that plugin will have to be purchased to unlock that plugin’s features.
Before saving a trial project, FL Studio’s trial edition allows you to render your project to .wav, .mp3, .ogg, or .mid files.
| Fl Studio | Logic Pro | Cubase | LMMS | Reaper | |
| Price | $99, $199, $299, $499 | $199 | $99-$587.98 | Free | $60, $225 |
| Devices | Windows, Mac | Mac | Windows, Mac | Windows, Mac, Linux | Windows, Mac |
| Free/Trial Version | Yes | Yes | 30 day | Yes | Yes |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do professionals use FL Studio?
Though anyone can purchase and play with FL Studio, the product does not make the professional.
However, many leading industry professionals have used FL Studio. For a complete list, FL Studio proudly shows off an extensive list of artists and producers who use their products, like Murda Beatz, Porter Robinson, T-Minus, Amir Yar, Steven Lions, Abaz, Infinity, and Veela, among many. The FL Studio’s Power Users webpage provides links to an interview with each artist as they talk about their creative process and use of FL Studio.
Is FL Studio suitable for beginners?
With its user-friendly digital audio workstation and comprehensive user manuals, FL Studio can be used by anyone who wants to learn. It has a friendly and straightforward workflow and a complete and responsive step sequencer, taking editing and mixing to expert levels easily.
Anyone can try it out with its trial version and play with it to see if they are confident enough to purchase and perfect their art.
Also available online, outside of FL Studio, are paid courses that provide basic to advanced instruction on using FL Studio software.
Can I get a pirated version of FL Studio?
Pirating software is illegal and constitutes a federal crime. Do not steal from those who have invested their time and resources into creating a superior product. The free version offers anything you want to try. The mobile app has many of the same features and is significantly cheaper. Also available are the pricing options with FL Studios. Consider upgrading as finances allow.
Should you download a pirated version, you will not have access to any updates or additional plugins past the version illegally downloaded nor any of the support and extensive resources they offer with their purchases.
It is worth the money to invest in your career and reward the developers at FL Studios who have put a lot of time and expertise into their products.