Book Image

FL Studio Cookbook

By : Chris Rena
Book Image

FL Studio Cookbook

By: Chris Rena

Overview of this book

Whether it's overcoming creative blocks, troubleshooting technical issues, or refining your workflow, every budding producer faces challenges. The FL Studio Cookbook is here to provide practical solutions to common problems, empowering you to navigate any obstacle with ease by exploring one of the most renowned, industry-standard DAWs. The recipe-based approach of this book means that you’ll unlock the secrets of crafting captivating melodies and learn the art of composition with practical, step-by-step instructions, discovering how to construct melodies that evoke emotion and leave a lasting impression. From chord progressions to counterpoint, you’ll get actionable insights to help you compose music that resonates with your audience. You’ll also master the intricacies of mixing and mastering, by familiarizing yourself with the entire process from balancing levels and sculpting sounds to applying effects. You’ll also explore the endless possibilities of sculpting sound from scratch, whether you're crafting custom synths, designing unique textures, or layering effects to create otherworldly sounds. By the end of this book, you'll have acquired the skills to confidently craft professional-quality lofi, retrowave, and horror music tracks, gaining the expertise to express your musical vision and take your music production to new heights.
Table of Contents (15 chapters)

Composing melodies and chord progressions

In the vibrant world of retrowave/synthwave music, crafting captivating melodies and nostalgic chord progressions is the heart and soul of your composition. In this recipe, we’ll explore techniques for creating melodies that stick and chord progressions that evoke emotion. We’ll utilize scale choices, arpeggios, and retro synth lead lines, all while incorporating the same 4+4 notes technique introduced in Chapter 9 for making horror music melodies. Get ready to compose melodies that transport your listeners to the neon-soaked 1980s.

Getting ready

  • FL Studio software
  • Knowledge of basic music theory (scales, chords, and harmony)
  • The retro synthesizer sounds you created in the Designing Retro Synth Sounds recipe in this chapter
  • Inspiration from classic 1980s melodies

How to do it

  1. Choose your key: Begin by selecting a musical key that resonates with the mood you want to convey. Common choices in...