Instruments tab

Introduction

  1. Pan fader
  2. Attack time fader
  3. Release time fader
  4. Category buttons
  5. Defaults button
  6. Preview button
  7. Shop button (iOS only)

Adding Custom Instruments (iOS only)

  1. Making Instruments From Custom Samples, AudioPaste Data or Existing Kits
  2. User Created .ZIP Instruments
    1. Creating STEP (Drum Kit) Type Instruments
    2. Creating PIANO (Keyboard) Type Instruments
  3. Pre-made Instruments
  4. Deleting Custom Instruments

Introduction

Change the selected track's instrument by tapping an instrument from the scrollable list. All faders can be reset to the default position by double-tapping them.

1. Pan fader

Sets the current track's stereo pan, that is the position in the left or right speaker. Of course, you need to be wearing headphones or using external speakers to hear panning when using your device. Double-tap to reset to the default position.

2. Volume fader

Sets the current track's gain, like the volume slider in the Track Editor does. Double-tap to reset to the default position.

3. Attack time fader

Controls the fade-in time, i.e. how long it takes for the instrument to reach its volume. Use longer attack times for soft sounds like strings and synth pads. Double-tap to reset to the default position.

4. Release time fader

Controls the fade-out time, i.e. how long the sound fades out after a key is released. Use longer release times for simulating legato or one-shot for drum kits and percussive instruments. Double-tap to reset to the default position.


5. Category buttons

The category buttons (down the left of the screen) scroll the instrument list to show each instrument category.

NOTE: Selecting a 'Slicex loop' automatically fills the track with the sliced beat.

6. Defaults button

Resets the three sliders to the instrument's default preset. If "Keep attack/release" is disabled in the setup tab, this button is automatically pressed each time you select an instrument.

7. Preview button

Plays one or more notes (alternating) with the current instrument.

In-App Shop (iOS only)

You can download free instruments and or purchase them from the in-app Shop by clicking on the Shopping Basket icon. While the purchase/download is made in-app the transaction is handled through your iTunes account, so you may be asked to enter your iTunes login details when you make a purchase. NOTE: After purchase you can download and use the same instruments in FL Studio for Windows via the the Content Library. First, make sure to install a new FLregkey.reg to access the extra instruments, they will show under the FL Mobile Samples category.

Tap on the item description (left) to open the preview buttons. Click these (right) to hear audio demos.

  • Back - Leave the Shop.
  • Restore - Restore purchased content settings for re-download OR on your additional iOS Device/s (see 'Copying Purchased Content ...' below) .
  • Priced items - These are available for purchase, the price will be shown in your local App Store currency. Expand the view as shown above to audition the sounds.
  • FREE - These items can be downloaded for free.
  • Green, no button - These items have been downloaded.

Copying Purchased Content between installations

Shop downloaded sounds come with an additional .flmdlc (FL Mobile Download Content) extension file. Use .flmdlc files to unlock shop content on (up to 5) additional FL Studio Mobile installations.

Unlocking options include:

  • From FL Studio Mobile to FL Studio Mobile HD - Install FL Studio Mobile on your iPad along with FL Studio Mobile HD and purchased content will be automatically unlocked. You are then free to delete FL Studio Mobile from the iPad.
  • Copy .flmdlc files on up to five FL Studio Mobile installations - Use the WiFi server OR iTunes file sharing to add the .flmdlc files to the top level folder on your additional FL Studio Mobile installations. Next time FL Studio Mobile is started, on the destination iOS Device, the content will be detected and automatically unlocked in the Shop for download. Then click the Restore button.

Adding Custom Instruments (iOS only)

There are four methods for adding new instruments:

  1. Download from the In-App Shop - You can browse and download free instruments and also purchase any others that you like, see here.
  2. Using the 'Add Instrument' button - This allows you to build up a kit type instrument from individual samples saved to FL Studio mobile's Projects > Audio folder, from AudioPaste samples or existing Drum Kits. see here.
  3. Importing a .zip file - The .zip files that contain collections of samples are automatically converted into an PIANO or DRUMKIT instrument see here.
  4. Importing .instr files - .instr files are FL Studio's native instrument format and these can be imported from .instr files you download, share or purchase. see here.

You can create your own instruments consisting of Stereo or Mono .wav files. An instrument can be imported from a .instr (pre made) file or a .zip (user assembled) file. Both .zip & .instr format files must be loaded to the folder above the 'Projects Tab > My Instruments' folder. Then double-tap the file and it will be imported into the 'Projects Tab > My Instruments' folder below. Alternatively you can build a custom Drum Kit style instrument from individual samples and or AudioPaste data.

Once imported, custom instruments are available under the 'Instruments Tab > Instruments > My Instruments' and 'Instruments Tab > Drum Kits > My Kits' depending on whether the instrument is a STEP (Drum Pad) or PIANO (Keyboard) type, see below. Watch a video tutorial here.

1. Making Instruments From Custom Samples, AudioPaste Data or Existing Drum Kits

You can create Drum Kit type instruments from individual samples and or AudioPaste data. You can also convert Drum kits to Piano mode. If the correct 'Destination Keys' were assigned these will play as melodic instruments.

  1. To load samples use the WiFi server OR iTunes file sharing to add the .wav files to the top level folder. If the Audio folder does not exist one will be automatically created. If you intend to use AudioPaste data you can skip this step.



    The samples will be automatically loaded into the Audio folder.

  2. Go to the Instruments tab and click on the Add Instrument button.

  3. Name your custom Kit. NOTE: By entering the name of an existing Custom Kit you can edit it.

  4. Click the Add sample button to open the import screen.

  5. Select either an AudioPaste, Audio Folder or Existing kit source to add to the kit. NOTE: The AudioPaste data available will depend on what has already been AudioCopied, usually from another application.

    If you select AudioPaste you can browse any audio that has been copied from applications that support AudioCopy (including FL Studio Mobile from the Projects Tab > Export function).

  6. After selecting a sample using the menus on the upper right (or from AudioPaste), you have the option to set the Destination key. NOTES: Drumpads are added in sequence from lowest note (upper left pad) to highest (lower right pad). If you are loading melodic samples switch to Keyboard mode after loading the custom kit and samples will appear on their destination keys. Notes will be spread to the mid point between any destination key and the next destination key above or below them.

  7. The selected sample will now appear as a Drum Kit track. Tap the Add Sample button and repeat the process until you are finished. NOTE: Once you have selected your first sample from the Audio folder the next time you tap the Add Sample button system will automatically select the next sample for loading.

    Optionally you can use the Drum Kit in Keyboard mode by tapping the Keyboard button on the Drum Pads tab.

  8. You can now access the Custom Kit from the Instruments > Drum Kits > My Kits location. The instrument is stored in the Projects > My Instruments folder. You can delete it from there if you require.

2. User Created .ZIP Instruments (.zip)

.zip is a popular file archive and compression format. There are many free Zip compilers available for both Windows & Mac OS. Creating an import file is a process of:

  1. Creating and assembling your Stereo or Mono .wav files.
  2. Adding .wav files to a .zip archive file. The name of the .zip file sets the name of the instrument created. The zip file must contain only wav files in order to be imported as an instrument.
  3. Using the WiFi server OR iTunes file sharing to add the file to the App.
  4. Importing the instrument to your custom library by double-tapping on the file from the FL Studio Mobile 'Project' tab.
  5. Using the instrument as normal from the 'Instrument tab'.

Depending on the name format used for the samples in the .zip file you can create a STEP (Drum Pad) or PIANO (Keyboard) type instrument:

2.1 Creating STEP (Drum Pad) Type Instruments

  1. Add up to 32 x Stereo or Mono .wav samples to the .zip file. There are a maximum of 32 Drum Pads so additional wav files will be ignored. Files will be mapped sequentially on the first drumpad from C1 upwards. Avoid file names ending in note letters as described in the 'Creating PIANO (Drum Pad) Type Instruments' section below. Include only .wav format files to the .zip otherwise the import will fail.



  2. Use the WiFi server OR use iTunes file shearing to add your .zip file to the App.



  3. From the Projects Tab double tap the file and FL Studio Mobile will import the STEP (Drum Pad) instrument and save it into the 'Projects Tab > My Instruments' folder. The Instrument (.instr) file will be named after the .zip file name. You can delete the .zip file from the device once this step is completed.



  4. The instrument will now be available from the Instrument Tab > Drum Kits > My Kits

2.2 Creating PIANO (Keyboard) Type Instruments

  1. Add up to 85 x Stereo or Mono .wav samples to the .zip file. In order to map files to keys, name files after their root note (original pitch) starting. For example Sample_C.wav, Sample_C2.wav, Sample_G#3.wav ... Sample_F8.wav. You can use any octave and note name between C1 to C8. The underscore before the note name was added for clarity it is not necessary for processing, SampleC1.wav will also work. Samples will be mapped half-way toward the next sample above and below their root note. If there is no sample above or below their root they will be mapped to the end of the keyboard. Include only .wav format files to the .zip otherwise the import will fail.



  2. Use the WiFi server OR iTunes file sharing to add your .zip file to the App.



  3. From the Projects Tab double tap the file and FL Studio Mobile will import the PIANO (Keyboard) instrument and save it into the 'Projects Tab > My Instruments' folder. The Instrument (.instr) file will be named after the .zip file name. You can delete the .zip file from the device once this step is completed.



  4. The instrument will now be available from the Instrument Tab > Instruments > My Instruments

3. Pre made Instruments (.instr)

Installing .instr files:

  1. Use the WiFi server OR iTunes file sharing to add the .instr file to the top level folder.

  2. Double-tap the .instr file and it will be added to the My Instruments folder. If the My Instruments folder does not yet exist it will be automatically created.
  3. Delete the .instr file from the top level folder as it has been added to the 'My instruments' folder so is no longer needed.

Making or obtaining .instr files There are 2 ways you can obtain pre made Instrument, .instr, files:

  • Making - Export a .instr file in FL Studio from DirectWave or FPC (See the video/s linked here for more details).
    • FPC Export - New version required here.

    • DirectWave Export - New version required here.

  • Obtaining - To copy .instr files from your device to your computer.
    • A. Select the 'My Instruments' folder in iTunes.
    • B. Click 'Save to' and select a destination folder on your PC. You must copy the entire folder this way as Apple does not allow access to individual files in iTunes. It's also a good way to back up your instruments.

      NOTE: As every user instrument has a unique ID, you can copy an .flm file and all the required .instr files to FL Studio Mobile on another device and load it.

4. Deleting Custom Instruments

To delete an instrument:
  1. Delete the .instr file/s from the Projects > My Instruments folder from within FL Studio Mobile using the Delete [X] button. You can't see the contents of the My Instruments folder from iTunes.