FL Studio is great for beginners. It offers a clean and modern-looking design, allowing new users to quickly get to grips with all of its features intuitively. FL Studio’s popularity also means that you can find a wealth of content online, helping those new to music production and the software.
Is FL Studio Good For Beginners?
Debates over which DAW software is best for beginners have been going on for years and will likely continue for many years to come.
FL Studio always comes up in this discussion, as it has been considered by many to be the top choice for those starting in music production.
In this article, we will be looking at FL Studio from the perspective of someone who has just started in production to see whether or not it is a good choice for beginners.
FL Studio’s Design
Over time FL Studios’ design has progressively become more intuitive and easy to understand for those starting.
The user interface is easy to use and pleasant to look at in most cases, with everything you need to start making music present on the screen from when you boot it up.
Primary viewing modes are featured right on the main toolbar, with easy access to essential features placed in the center of the DAW. These modes include the playlist mode, step sequencer, piano roll, and mixer.
As FL Studio has to facilitate so much functionality within its design, it will take time for any new music producer to learn the ins and outs of the software.
Even though it offers such a wide range of functionality, FL Studio manages to package it all in very concisely. This makes it pretty accessible to those with little prior music production knowledge.
It is worth mentioning that design is one of the most subjective elements of a DAW. Where one person might like FL Studios’ design, someone else might not like it.
Bearing this in mind, most of the popular DAWs at the moment offer great designs in their respects, so it is down to you to find the one that resonates with you the most.
They all offer some free trials, so give them a go and see which ones appeal to you.
How Easy Is It To Learn FL Studio?
From personal experience and hearing what others think, FL Studio is generally a reasonably easy DAW to get to grips with, especially the basics.
In most cases, it can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a couple of months of regular usage for someone to become comfortable with all the elements that the software has to offer.
Beyond the basics, there is an almost endless depth to the software and its features.
Speaking to those who have used the software for multiple years, it becomes apparent that there are some aspects of the DAW that even the most avid FL Studio users are not aware of or confident in using.
With this in mind, it is worth focusing on the aspects you think you will use most often and are most interested in learning first. Otherwise, you may find yourself overwhelmed with the amount of information to learn about FL Studio.
Best Ways To Learn FL Studio?
It can be easy to feel somewhat overwhelming when trying to learn FL Studio. Luckily, if you are new to producing, plenty of great resources online can help you get started.
YouTube channels such as In The Mix provide a fantastic variety of music production and FL Studio-focused content, which can help those starting.
Suppose video tutorials aren’t so much your thing. In that case, there are also lots of excellent written guides and tutorials covering different aspects of FL Studio, such as the Image-Line FL Studio guide, or right here on Home Music Maker.
Once you have a basic understanding of FL Studio, it can be a good idea to shift away from tutorials and start making some sounds.
Some people find learning easier from personal experience, which can be applied to learning FL Studio.
Using this technique, you may even learn something that you may not have through looking at tutorials.
Is FL Studio Good For Different Levels Of Producers?
Thanks to the great functionality that FL Studio provides, it contains all of the features that even the most demanding professionals would expect from a DAW.
So between being an excellent choice for both beginners and professionals alike, FL Studio is a great choice for any level of producer.
You will also find a great variety of native plugins within FL Studio, which cover all the needs of the modern producer.
For example, you will find compressors of different varieties, reverbs, EQs, Virtual Instruments, and other awesome audio effects.
FL Studio also accommodates all different types of producers, no matter what you are focusing on.
For instance, you can quickly get straight to recording vocals or another audio recording thanks to the easy-to-access and understand recording functions that FL Studio offers.
It is also simple to connect to external hardware such as a midi keyboard or any midi controller using the input/output settings menu.
Is FL Studio Affordable
Along with FL Studio’s functionality, as a new producer, you’ll probably want to consider how much it’s going to cost you.
Luckily FL Studio comes in various options from just under $100 up to $500.
Below are the different options.
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Signature Bundle
|
FL Studio 20 Signature Bundle |
|
Latest Price |
|
Producer Edition
|
FL Studio 20 Producer Edition |
|
Latest Price |
|
Fruity Edition
|
FL Studio 20 Fruity Edition |
|
Latest Price |
You can also get the All Plugins Edition – With audio recording, full playlist features, and ALL FL Studio native plugins (no VST plugin) this really is a serious package!
For a Full FL Studio Comparison Click the Link Below:
Compare FL Studio Editions Page:
Related Questions
Which DAW is better for beginners, FL Studio or Ableton Live?
As stated in the article, it is down to the individual user to decide which DAW is right for them to start on. Everyone has their preferences, and what one person might love with a DAW, another might dislike.
It is worthwhile getting the trial for both and seeing which one you prefer after giving them both some time. Either of those options is an excellent option for anyone starting in music production.
Does it matter which DAW you start with?
As long as you choose a well-established DAW with a good community built up around it, you are at no real disadvantage when making your choice. This is important as it means that you will find lots of valuable resources to help you as you learn how to use the DAW.
Most of the top choices have very high levels of design and functionality, so the option is all down to personal preference.
Why am I finding it difficult to learn FL Studio?
Some people will take longer to learn the fundamentals of the software than others, and that’s fine. Just because it might be taking you longer than you anticipated to get comfortable with using the DAW, this shouldn’t dissuade you from continuing to learn about it.
As long as you give the learning process time, it will happen eventually, even if it is more arduous than you initially expected it to be.
How long does it take to learn FL Studio?
It is different for everyone. Some people might get it reasonably quickly. For others, it might take months to be entirely comfortable utilizing the software effectively. On average, it can take up to a year of reasonably consistent usage and learning to know the ins and outs of the software, and even then, there will be lots to learn.
What should I focus on first when learning FL Studio?
When starting, it is best to focus on the fundamentals of the software, and if you are using the software for something specific, then focus on that. This includes learning how to navigate the software, shortcuts, and technical knowledge in terms of fundamentals.
Why is FL Studio so popular for beginners?
FL Studio is a go-to choice for beginners for a few reasons. It is already an incredibly popular software that many of the world’s most famous producers use and make hits with. Because of this, there is a great wealth of content out there online. This makes it an enticing choice for those who are starting as music producers.
Of course, this is all backed up by the software itself has a great design and fantastic functionality to go along with it.
Is Ableton much harder to learn for new producers?
Ableton and FL Studio are both completely valid choices for any new producers. They both offer great design and functionality, and it is down to user preference which one they might prefer.
It is worth noting that Ableton is currently a better choice if you want to do live performance work. That is about the only real distinction that can be made between the two.
Final Words
FL Studio is an excellent option for those looking for a DAW software to start in music production. Its top-tier design and functionality make it one of the best choices for beginner producers to learn.
In addition, FL Studio has a vast and active community that constantly puts out great content to help beginners find their way.
If you are starting and feeling like you can’t wrap your head around something, then there is most likely an FL Studio tutorial or guide out there that can help you get it figured out.
At the end of the day, which digital audio workstation you end up using should be a personal decision based on your preferences. With that being said, I encourage you to download the trials versions of any DAWs that take your fancy and see which ones appeal to you the most after giving them a try!
If you’ve bagged yourself a copy of FL Studio, but not sure how to copy and paste. Check out our simple guide HERE.
Want to connect with other music producers for help and guidance?