Fruity Loops FL Studio 5

The fancy Fruity Loops Software grew into a serious recording studio
 

    Detailed review of the new Fruity Loops FL Studio 6

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Fruity Loops originally was a nice little Software that created loops from samples. I was pretty amazed when I saw it first. It looked like a simple grid pattern sequencer and I could not figure out why even professional musicians like it so much.

To me it seemed like a bigger Roland Drumatix. But after playing a while with it I couldn't stop. It sounded really nice, had a tight timing and you could work very relaxed with this tool.

This software started as a freeware program that just played midi notes. No audio. Then it could play samples too and it evolved into shareware.

Around version 2.0 VST effects got added and it became a drum loop creator. The next addition was SimSynth, a software synthesizer and TS404 a bassline clone in competition to Propellerheads Rebirth and later Reason.

Version 4 added audio tracks and the audio editor and it evolved to a complete studio and song creating package. It supports unlimited tracks with unlimited length.

It's biggest advantage is the support of many standards. You can mix and record almost anything.

It can hold an unlimited number of samples and channels and play those stand- alone or by triggering your midi equipment. That makes it different from software like rebirth and also more flexible.

It supports VST&DX Plug-Ins. The TS404 Synth allows you to add TB-303-like bass lines and it has an integrated Beat-Slicer. The elastic audio feature lets you change the tempo of a song while the loops stay in perfect sync.

In short, Fruity Loops is a software, that has this certain cult factor. It is still simple enough to play with it (and it makes a lot of fun doing so) and complex enough to let you realize even ambitious ideas.