FL Studio 20 Basics - The Channel Rack (Step Sequencer)

The channel rack is where all channels are stored in FL Studio, including samples, automation clips, and VST instruments.

• Drag and drop samples from packs folders • Click the plus button to add FL Studio instruments • Use the plugin picker to add third-party plugins

• Left side: options menu for the channel rack • Drag right edge to resize horizontally • Drag bottom edge to resize vertically • Top bar shows different groups (audio, unsorted, everything)

• Left click to select and demo samples • Right click to delete samples • Extend channel width to read labels • Use play and pause button specifically for channel rack

• Left click to select and activate a step • Right click to delete a step • Left click and drag to select multiple steps • Right click and drag to delete multiple steps

Create a basic drum beat by adding steps for kick, clap, and snare samples across different channels to form the groove.

Right click on a channel to access options menu and use fill each option to quickly populate steps at regular intervals instead of manually adding each one.

• Mute and solo buttons to isolate channels • Channel panning to move sound left or right • Channel volume to adjust loudness • Play button to hear the pattern

• Click the piano roll button to switch from step sequencer view • Left click on a sample to open detailed piano roll editor • Move samples to any position and adjust pitch freely • Add samples at different pitches directly in the editor

The graph editor provides detailed control over note properties beyond the step sequencer interface.

• Note pitch: adjust the pitch of each sample • Velocity: control how soft or loud notes play • Fine pitch: make subtle pitch adjustments • Panning: position each note in the stereo field • Time shift: move notes slightly earlier or later

These editing modes provide much more control than the basic step sequencer, allowing for precise timing adjustments, humanization, and sound design.

• Hold Shift and click or drag to select multiple channels • A green box shows the currently selected channel • Selected groups can be managed together

Use Alt+G shortcut or channel options menu to group selected channels together and assign a group name like 'drums' for organization.

• Select first gradient color for the group • Select second gradient color • Channels will be colored as a gradient between the two colors • Access through channel options right-click menu

• Groups can be zipped to save space in large projects • Click zipped groups to reveal their contents • Right-click to unzip and expand • Essential for projects with 80-90 channels

Use the graph editor velocity parameter to adjust volume for individual notes, such as reducing every second hi-hat note to create a natural pattern.

Use the panning parameter in the graph editor to move notes around the stereo field, adding width and interest to drum patterns.

• Swing adds rhythm and groove to steps • Without swing, all steps play perfectly in time • With swing, second and third steps are pushed slightly out of time • Creates a natural, human feel to programmed beats

Use the time shift parameter in the graph editor to adjust the exact timing of notes, fixing timing issues like early or late hi-hat accents.

Channel panning and volume controls are independent from graph editor settings; adjustments stack together rather than replacing each other.

• Keep channel rack detached to prevent it from disappearing • Adjust channel button width for readability • Set auto-resize to maximum height for most screen space • Set auto-resize to minimum height for compact display • Dock to mixer, playlist, or browser for organized layout

• Right-click a channel to access additional options • Copy pattern from one channel and paste to another • Useful for layering similar samples with identical patterns • Saves time when programming variations of the same rhythm

• Rename channels for project organization • Change channel colors for visual identification • Add icons to channels for quick recognition • Swap sample while preserving pattern information

When step patterns are misaligned with the beat, use rotation to shift them left or right until they align correctly with the desired timing.

With hi-hat steps that are out of time, rotating them by one position brings them into proper synchronization with the rest of the beat.

Drag a different sample directly onto an existing channel to replace the sound while preserving all MIDI sequencing and pattern information.

• Allows experimentation with different drum samples • Maintains carefully programmed patterns • Saves time by avoiding re-programming patterns • Useful for layering or finding the right drum kit fit