The Best Way To Sample Virtual Instruments in FL Studio 20

Learn how to sample any virtual instrument in FL Studio, including third-party plugins like Serum and stock instruments like Massive or Kontakt.

Capture entire instruments so you can share project files with collaborators who don't have the same plugins, enabling them to edit and manipulate the sounds.

The creator is working with an artist on a song using a Serum bass, but the artist uses Massive instead, so sampling allows easy collaboration.

Do not record and sell sampled instruments commercially, as this is likely illegal.

Right-click on the instrument in the channel rack and select 'Create Direct Wave Instrument' to open the sampling dialog.

• Choose the note range to sample (e.g., C2 to C5 for bass instruments) • Set velocity levels per key (1 for instruments that sound the same at any velocity, 20+ for pianos) • Adjust keys per zone (1 means sample every key individually, higher numbers pitch shift between sampled keys)

• Resampling quality: set higher for better results • Bit-depth: choose 16-bit or 32-bit (32-bit uses more memory) • Mono or Stereo: match the original instrument's format

Turn off insert and master effects (EQ, distortion, compression) during sampling unless you want them baked into the samples.

More sampled keys and velocities increase file size and RAM usage, not CPU usage.

For bass instruments, sample fewer keys to keep file size small. For pianos and dynamic instruments, sample more keys and velocities for realism.

Setting keys per zone higher (e.g., 5) reduces file size by pitching unused keys, but can reduce quality for instruments like bass where individual note sampling is preferred.

• Keep monolithic file on • Keep open and direct wave on • Hit start to begin sampling process (typically takes 5-10 seconds)

Create a new pattern with the Direct Wave sampler, copy notes from the original instrument pattern using Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V to maintain the same arrangement.

The sampled Direct Wave instrument sounds nearly identical to the original plugin, allowing seamless collaboration without requiring the original software.

• Adjust amplitude envelope and attack time for each sample • Access filter envelopes to shape the sound • Add effects like reverb, delay, quantized decimator, and ring modulation through Direct Wave's built-in effects panel

Unlike sharing a WAV file, the sampled Direct Wave instrument allows collaborators to edit melodies, basslines, and manipulate individual samples directly within the plugin.

Compare the original serum patch with the Direct Wave version by playing both back-to-back to verify they sound identical.

Save and zip the project file with the Direct Wave instrument. Collaborators can open it without having the original plugin installed and freely edit the samples.

Direct Wave offers extensive customization through envelopes, filters, and effects, providing flexibility similar to the original instrument despite not being the actual plugin.

• This technique works with any virtual instrument: guitar plugins, Kontakt instruments, synths, etc. • Be creative and experiment with the possibilities • Direct Wave has enough features to warrant its own tutorial series