SYSTEM SETTINGS

MIDI Settings

The MIDI Settings page contains settings for MIDI driver input, output and syncing. It also contains options related to MIDI keyboard recording and automation. For a list of supported MIDI devices, see Pre-configured MIDI Devices. Note: If you have never connected a MIDI device to FL Studio before, we recommend reading the MIDI Wizard section of the manual first.

Output - Port Mapping

In this section you can map the MIDI drivers available on your system (such as loopback devices, hardware and software synthesizers etc.) to a MIDI port in FL Studio. To map a device, select it from the list and set a port number in the box below. Selecting '---' will mean that the device will be unmapped and unable to be used by FL Studio, however it will still be available for use by other sequencers/players running at the same time.

Send master sync - FL Studio will send master sync signal to the device/port chosen here (if Enable MIDI Master Sync is turned on in Options menu). FL Studio can be synced as a master with external MIDI devices. You can also sync with MIDI sequencers using virtual MIDI cable software, such as 'MIDI Yoke'.
Synchronization type - Sets the synchronization type required from the menu.

Input - Connecting External Controller/s

If you have a USB/MIDI keyboard or controller that you would like to control using FL Studio, you may need to change some settings in the Input section. This section contains a list of controller devices which have been detected by Windows. Note that your controller may not necessarily appear by its correct name. In the example above, a 'Keystation 88es' appears as a 'USB Audio Device', even though it is a keyboard. This problem may also occur if a generic Windows USB driver is used to interface with the controller.

To connect your controller:

click on the device from the Input list so that it is highlighted and select Enable. Each device in the list can be selected/deselected separately. If you do not see any options in the input list, you will need to install the appropriate drivers for your device (consult the manual for installing your device within Windows) and click the Rescan MIDI devices button at the bottom of the MIDI settings window. If you are sucessful the MIDI activity light on the Main Panel will blink each time controller data is received.

Input - The device chosen here will be used for MIDI input in FL Studio. Such devices are MIDI/USB keyboards and external MIDI/USB controllers. FL Studio also supports several types of custom MIDI controllers as indicated in the Controller type list below.
Controller type - FL Studio supports all generic MIDI controllers. If you are using a generic device, select generic controller in this menu. Additionally, several types of custom MIDI controllers are supported including transport controls, jog wheels, relative knobs and custom switch controls. If you are using a supported device such as Peavey StudioMix or Tascam US-428, select it from the list to enable its advanced features.

Notes:

1. To create permanently remembered links between a controller, FL Studio and plugins use the 'Multilink controllers' switch with the 'Override generic links' option.
2. FL Studio can respond simultaneously to multiple controllers, however, to avoid controller CC conflicts (where more than one controller tries to adjust the same software control on the same MIDI channel) it is wise to assign each controller to transmit on a unique MIDI channel. See the documentation that came with the controller on setting MIDI send/transmit channels. By default, FL Studio listens to MIDI data in OMNI mode (all channels 1 - 16 simultaneously).
3. Multiple controllers: While it is possible to use two keyboard controllers simultaneously, it is not possible to control two separate plugins from two keyboards. Only the currently focused channel can receive keyboard input. In this case both keyboards will play the same channel.
4. Supported controllers: For the latest list of supported devices visit the MIDI Controller Reference forum.

5. Controller templates: There are a number of controller templates in the FL Studio installation directory (\Program Files\Image-Line\FL Studio\System\Hardware specific). These templates are loaded into the editor that came with your controller and will map it to FL Studio. You may then be required to select the controller type in the Input settings (if FL doesn't do so automatically).

Enable - Enables the selected controller.
Auto accept controller - If you turn this option off, you'll need to click the OK button in MIDI Remote Control box to accept the controller mapping and then close the box. When turned on, the box will close as soon as you tweak a controller on your external MIDI controller device, and the tweaked controller will be mapped to the property. For this option to work, you need to turn on the Auto detect option in the MIDI Remote Control box.
Support hold and sostenuto - If enabled, FL Studio will use foot-pedal messages to sustain notes held on a MIDI keyboard.
Record to Step Sequencer - If turned on, all recorded notes from your MIDI keyboard will be put in the Step Sequencer, rather than in the Piano roll.
Omni Preview MIDI channel - Lets you set a channel on your MIDI keyboard, where each keyboard key previews a channel in the Step Sequencer.
Playlist Live Mode MIDI Channel - Lets you set a channel on your MIDI keyboard, where each keyboard key turns on/off a pattern in the Playlist window (in live mode).
Song marker jump MIDI channel - Set the MIDI channel to be used to accept MIDI note data to control Playlist Time Marker jumping. The control keys are:

Note: Keyboard shortcuts apply to the Number Pad only.

Generator muting MIDI channel - Lets you set a channel on your MIDI keyboard, where each keyboard key mutes/unmutes a channel in the Step Sequencer.
Toggle on Release - Determines how momentary buttons/switches on the MIDI controller interact with target controls in FL Studio. When enabled, the target control will change state when the button is pressed and revert back to the original state when the button is released. If off, a second click is required to revert the target back to its original state.
Link note on velocity to - [none] - If this option is selected, FL Studio will ignore note-on velocities sent by controller input devices (MIDI keyboards etc) and assign a fixed velocity (100) to all notes. Velocity enables mapping note velocity from MIDI devices to per-note velocity sensitive plugins in FL Studio. Mod X / Mod Y MIDI key note on velocity is mapped to Mod X or Mod Y and passed to any instruments or effects using these MOD parameters.
- Curve - Opens the Velocity Mapping Curve editor. This curve sets the relationship between the MIDI controller (note on) velocity and the value passed to FL Studio. Control points can be added with right-mouse clicks and function curves by left-clicking on the tension handle, as with any envelope editor in FL Studio. For the curve to take effect 'Note on' must be linked to one of the options shown above. Tip: If you play your controller while the Velocity Mapping Curve editor is open, the note velocity will be visible as a vertical line. This will help you to tune the curve shape to your playing style.
Link release note velocity to - [none] - If this option is selected, FL Studio will ignore release velocities sent by controller input devices (MIDI keyboards etc) and assign a fixed release velocity (100) to all notes. Release Some MIDI keyboards can send the velocity of a note release, if so this enables mapping of note release velocity from MIDI devices to per-note release velocity aware plugins in FL Studio. For the curve to take effect 'Note on' must be linked to 'Release'.
- Curve - Opens a velocity mapping editor. This allows you to set the relationship between MIDI controller 'note release' velocity and the value passed to FL Studio. Control points can be added with right-mouse clicks and 'between point' curves by left-clicking on the tension handle as with any envelope editor in FL Studio.
Rescan MIDI devices - If you install a controller after FL Studio has started, or a controller that appears in the Input list becomes unresponsive, this option will rescan and connect to the device.