Great News! You have been selected to create a new song for a movie trailer/video game/music video/streaming audio track -whatever. The client will pay huge money for a sweet track that is completely original. Use FL Studio to compose, arrange, mix, automate, and master your new track. And, the good news is that you have another level of assistance: The MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) Controller.

Create a new file in your Multimedia Folder (under the Digital Audio Workstation Folder) and title it "DAW - The Contract." This is where all of the materials used for this project will be stored.

So, the song must adhere to these parameters:

• Create a song that is three minutes in length (at least) - 10 points
• The song must be original (not stolen off of the Internet) - The entire project is 0 if this is violated
• There must be a combination of step sequencer patterns and Piano Roll (MIDI based) patterns - 20 points
• You must Add in FL Keys, Sytrus, and SimSynth to use as instruments (So...you can't just make drum beats)
• Patterns must be layered (on tracks, in the Playlist) - 20 points
• Every Pattern (clip) must be color coded and named appropriately - 20 points
• Every instrument must be routed to a mixer channel, color coded according to the pattern clip- 20 points
• Every instrument must utilize at least two Effects on their mixer channel (only do this for the instruments you add in - you do not need to do this for the basic kick, snare, hat, and clap...but you can if you want to) - 10 points
• There must be at least two instances of automation associated with each instrument (it could be affecting the instrument itself, an effect on the mixer, pan, volume control, or anything which automation can be assigned to.) - 10 points
  • One of the automations must be a “Real Time” type automation. (5 points)
  • The other must be a “Automation Clip” (remember to right click on any knob, switch, slider and select Link to Controller) type. (5 points)
• The song must be rendered as an MP3 file upon completion - 10 points

*Not all Instruments are avaiable in our version of FL Studio. These versions are considered "Trial Mode" and will not save with your project.

• Drumaxx
• Harmor
• Morphine
• Ogun
• Poizone
• Sakura
• Sawer\
• Toxic Biohazard
• Transistor Bass

*Not all Effects are avaiable in our version of FL Studio. These versions are considered "Trial Mode" and will not save with your project.

• Pitcher
• Transient Processor

MIDI Controllers are a more tactile method of music production. From Keyboards to MIDI Guitars, from Eletronic Drum Kits, to MIDI Wood-Wind Instruments, the opportunities are endless to capture your musical creations into a fixed format onto a computer or mobile device. 

MIDI controllers are representatives of generic instruments in that they allow musicians and recording artists that sense of manipulating a real instrument as opposed to clicking/dragging notes or beats into a score. 

Midi controllers also allow real-time manipulation of effects by the use of Mapping, where a knob, switch, or button can be associated with a control within the actual DAW (FL Studio) software. For instance, you can map a slider on a keyboard to control the volume of an instrument. Or, you can map a knob/dial on a keyboard to control the PAN of a sound, mixer channel or instrument.

Grab Your Controller

In order to connect a MIDI Controller to your DAW, you must first find a MIDI Controller that stuits your needs (At this level, we have the Akai MPK Mini, the M-Audio Trigger Finger Pro, and the Akai Professional Fire (FL Studio Controller)

Akai MPK Mini

M-Audio Trigger Finger Pro

Akai Professional "Fire"

You will also need the appropriate USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable to connect the controller to your Windows PC/Mac computer.

In FL Studio, you must enable your controller in order to get it to work. We do this by going to Options (on the menu bar) and then selecting MIDI Settings. 

When your instrument is enabled, be sure to close out of your MIDI Options window.