FL Studio 9 includes 25 software instruments covering acoustic/synthetic bass, electric guitar and plucked string simulation, sampler tools including piano, general sample playback, beat-slicing, and a range of synthesis techniques (subtractive, modeling, FM, granular and additive).

The new version of the product can record up to 99 simultaneous tracks of audio through the updated 105 channel mixer. The Playlist workspace can contain an unlimited number of audio tracks and allows the user to arrange discrete audio events in any order or position the creative process dictates with complete flexibility. Audio tools enable time-stretching, pitch-shifting, beat-slicing, chopping, edits and creative destruction of audio.

FL Studio 9 is available now:

• FL Studio Express Edition (49 USD, download only)
• FL Studio Fruity Edition (99 USD download / 139 USD boxed)
• FL Studio Producer Edition (199 USD download / 269 USD boxed)
• FL Studio Signature Edition (299 USD download / 399 USD boxed) – Provides all features of FL Studio Producer edition + Maximus maximizer, Sytrus synthesizer, Hardcore Guitar effects suite and Directwave Sampler

A free Trial version of FL Studio 9 (allowing export to high res WAV/MP3 and saving to FL project format) is also available for download.

Details on FL Studio 9 below.

Here’s what’s new in FL Studio 9:

• 350 additions, changes & bug fixes
• 5 extra synthesizers are now included by default: SimSynth Live, DrumSynth Live, DX-10, WASP and WASP XT in each FL Studio edition (Fruity edition or higher)
• Revised Playlist with integrated ‘Play’ button, new Clip Track features incl. track naming, muting, clip grouping and icons
• Mixer insert tracks 99 (previously 64) with new ‘Sidechaining’ function
• Piano roll ‘Riff Machine’ automated sequence generator tool and ‘note grouping’ feature
• Step sequencer & Playlist now have an integrated Play button for improved workflow
• Multiple controller support, independent instrument channels can be simultaneously played by separate controllers
• Volatile links allow hardware control of last touched GUI object. Improved linking options and functions.
• Multi-Core CPU improved multithreaded generator & multithreaded effects processing. Unleash the power of the latest generation multi-core processors.
• Revised plugins include Fruity Limiter with sidechaining, Wavecandy new mastering meter modes Fruity Reeverb 2 Mid/Side processing. Edison & Slicex new export regions and noise reduction function.
• Loop recording Audio Clips are now muted instead of the associated Channel for improved workflow. • Wrapper completely revised for improved compatibility inc., multi-input/output plugins & ‘aligned tick lengths’.

New plugins released with FL Studio 9:

• Autogun – (free) is based on Ogun and offers more than four billion presets and produces exceptionally rich metallic and shimmering timbres
• Vocodex (free with FL Studio Producer Edition) – last word in vocoders, featuring automatic speech-enhancement functions, an integrated Carrier synthesizer, output maximization and up to 100 variable-width multi-parameter vocoder bands.
• Stereo Shaper – (free) a multi-purpose stereo shaping tool
• Gross Beat (demo) – real-time, audio-stream playback, pitch, position and volume manipulation effect
• Ogun (demo) – Additive metal simulation synthesizer that can generate more than 32,000 harmonics, modulated by high-level ‘harmonic mapping’ functions, that hand tonal control directly to the user.

2009 NAMM Show Preview

Here’s the latest from Image Line:

• FL Studio 8 - In the latest version, FL Studio 8, users have welcomed more than 100 new developments including an improved user interface, updated sound engine, revised mixer, addition of ‘event’ pattern clips to the playlist, new multi-link MIDI learn system and a suite of new and updated plugins. The XXL and Producer Editions come with FL SynthMaker, an FL Studio native version of the popular plugin development application, SynthMaker. Users can now create their own virtual instruments, effects and MIDI dashboards, use them in FL Studio and share them with other SynthMaker users without writing basic code.
• Deckadance. – the latest version (1.4) delivers many new features including a new sound engine with improved time-stretching/compression technology, new BPM setup panel and beatgrid system, new spectral waveform color feature, new pitch range selection, new equalization filters design with improved kill behavior and new autogain engine. Scratch and spinback native support have also been added to the following controlers: Hercules (MKII, MP3 Console, Rmx), Numark Total Control and Behringer BCD2000/BCD3000. Deckadance has matured into a stable cross-platform and, most importantly, has support for a wide range of controller types allowing DJ’s to use their existing controller & vinyl hardware.
• Edison - The wave editor/recorder comes in standalone, VST and FL Studio native versions. Edison loads into any mixer track (VST effects slot) and records or plays audio from that position. Users will be excited to learn that it is possible to load as many instances of Edison as their host can contain. Parallel or chained instances of Edison are all possible. The visually stunning and easy to use interface has more than enough features to satisfy even the most demanding musicians and sound engineers.
• Gross Beat - Gross Beat is a time manipulation effect designed for repetition and scratching effects. Gross beat is perfect for real-time or rendered gating, glitch, repeat, scratching and stutter performances. Gross Beat stores audio in a 2-bar rolling buffer under the control of 36 user definable time and volume envelopes, giving you unlimited creative control.
• Hardcore - Hardcore is a software simulation of the 10 most popular guitar effects pedals. Available for both PC and Mac users, Hardcore gives virtual access to Distortion, Chorus, Flanger, Phaser, Reverb, Delay, Noise Gate, Equalizer, Compressor and Modulator ’stomp-box’ style effects, each with a unique sonic character.
• Ogun - Named after the god of iron (according to the Haitian Vodou and Yoruba mythology), Ogun is a powerful synthesizer for creating realistic metallic sounds. Ogun’s distinctive synthesis engine can generate more than 32,000 harmonics, modulated by ‘harmonic mapping’ functions that hand tonal control over the vast number of harmonics directly to the user.
• Sounds of India - Sounds of India, the latest sample collection from Image Line Software, contains over 835 samples weighing in at 1.5 Gb and includes 36 instrument and 2 vocal categories. The collection covers the foundations of the classic Indian sound – Tabla, Sitar, Shenai, Harmonium and Bamboo Flute, but what makes it really unique is the collection of South Indian instruments as Veena, Ganjira, Maddalam, and rare Indian folk instruments (Edakka, Udukku, Darbuka, etc.) The diverse Indian spirit is further enhanced with the inclusion of sounds from many different temple bells and ethnic percussion instruments.

The sound library contains over 835 samples packed in 1,5 Gb and includes 36 instruments and 2 vocals. The collection covers the foundations of the classic Indian sound – Tabla, Sitar, Shenai, Harmonium and Bamboo Flute, and South Indian instruments such as Veena, Ganjira, Maddalam, and rare Indian folk instruments (Edakka, Udukku, Darbuka, etc.)

“The gem of the Sounds of India is the Sitar. Its sound came out more wonderful than expected” according to the manager of the project, Indian Music Producer and Audio Engineer Vipin Venugopalan.

Every sound was captured without alteration in pitch so sample mapping gives a unique sample for every key. Pitches were recorded in Chromatic Order and sounds from the finger board and the frets were not altered in order to preserve the instruments natural essence.

The Sounds of India can be ordered from FL Studio Web shop for $89.

Image-Line have released a VSTi version of DrumSynth Live.

DrumSynth Live is an updated version of the DrumSynth standalone created by Maxim Digital Audio. DrumSynth Live features simultaneous support for 24 programmable real-time drum patches, each assigned to a separate key (C4 to B5).Sound is created by two noise generators and filtered by bandpass filters with incredible range – you can set anything from a single frequency (sine wave) to full white noise. You can morph dynamically from one drum patch to another – just select the patch to morph to and tweak the morph amount wheel.

Features

• Create complete drumtracks in a single channel
• Change properties according to the note velocity
• ‘Sends’ for your own send tracks

FL Studio comes with the demo of DrumSynth Live pre-installed. The demo version has all the functionality of the ‘real’ generator, although all channels using it are deleted when saving.

Pricing and Availability:
$35 USD

Image Line Software, the creators of software such as FL Studio / Fruityloops, has been running this ad to promote its latest release, Deckadance. Deckadance is a new DJ mixing application.

We’re not sure, but this may rank as even more offensive than the ads that amp makers put in guitar magazines. If I were female, it might make me think twice about checking out Deckadance.

On the other hand, I’m not female, and the ad got my attention.

What do you think? Is the ad sexist and offensive, or is it about time that companies made electronic music software sexy?

Let me know what you think in the comments…