FL Studio:
Controller Hardware
Interfaces, Keyboards and Controllers
While the FL Studio based
musician generally has little or no need for extra hardware,
it's definitely worth considering a controller. Controllers
are devices that send control signals to FL Studio to move the
knobs, switches or play a plugin instrument like a
synthesizer. For setting up a controller see the MIDI Settings Wizard
or MIDI Settings
page.
NOTES:
-
To
link the FL Studio interface
to an external controller, Right-click the target
knob/slider and select 'Link controller' from the
menu and then move the physical knob on the external
controller interface.
-
FL Studio stores all note activity from
external controllers from the past 3 minutes. This can be
dumped to the
Piano roll
at any time using the 'Dump
score log to selected pattern'
command. Never lose that perfect improvisation again!.
Types of External
Controllers
Depending on your background,
experience and workflow there is a controller right for you.
Typing keyboard
When the
Recording panel
'Typing keyboard to piano keyboard' option is selected,
your Typing keyboard will function as a note keyboard.
Right-click the selector to change the octave range (up/down).
Keyboard Controllers
The Photon X25 (above left) is a nice example of a
combined musical keyboard, knob controller & audio-interface.
It provides 2 octaves of notes, 10 assignable knobs that can
be linked to knobs and sliders in FL and is connected to your
PC over USB. If you are serious keyboardist then the sky is
the limit, the PCR-800 (above right) has more control
action than you are ever likely to need.
Knob and Slider Controllers
If the idea of a piano keyboard isn't your style then the
BCF 2000 and Control Universal are nice examples of
'knob and slider' based controllers. All those knobs and
sliders makes for a lot of control. Connected to your PC by
USB it can be linked to almost any knob or slider in FL
Studio. Too easy!
Percussion / Pad
If you are percussion or MPC oriented then you may want a
controller that you can tap, bash and hit (Performance Pad
and MPD16 shown).
MIDI Hardware
Similarly if you already have other MIDI hardware then that
can be used as a controller too. See the
MIDI setup wizard
for details on connecting MIDI hardware to your PC, a USB to
MIDI 5-Pin DIN adapter may be required.
See also:
Interfaces, Keyboards and Controllers
MIDI is a
trademark of MIDI Manufacturers Association Incorporated.
About MIDI -
Making Music with MIDI
- MIDI Controllers -
MIDI Products -
MIDI Glossary