Picture-Line – maker of FL Studio – continues to increase its attain by way of considerate collaborations with a few of the music tech world’s greatest manufacturers.
Simply final month, the corporate introduced it had partnered with Antares to carry the world-renowned AutoTune plugin to FL Studio in a local plugin (obtainable even to free customers), and now it has joined forces with Novation to develop the FLpad, an 8×8 grid controller designed particularly for FL Studio.
In fact, this isn’t the primary time Novation and Picture-Line have partnered up; the pair launched the primary vary of FLkey MIDI controllers in 2022, and unveiled the second technology of the FLkey lineup earlier this yr. We bought our arms on two FLkey 2 fashions shortly following their launch, and couldn’t assist however really feel they have been the “final FL Studio controller”.
However this newest collab marks Novation and Picture-Line’s first FL Studio-dedicated grid controller. It’s not only one mannequin we’re getting, although. There’s really two, the FLpad and FLpad mini, each sporting 8×8 grids, the previous boasting a bigger one with velocity-sensitive pads, and the latter that includes smaller grid pads for “grab-and-go creation”.
Geared toward FL Studio producers working with finger drumming and step sequencing, every mannequin’s 64 RGB-backlit pads will be configured for melodic taking part in, too, each chromatically and locked to a selected scale.
Each FLpads unit additionally sport a collection of devoted controls for navigating the sequencer and channel rack, constructing tracks with Patterns, mode switching, transport management, undo/redo and extra.
Moreover, inside Novation Elements, the companion software program to Novation’s vary of {hardware} controllers, producers can create customized layouts for his or her FLpad tailor-made to particular FL Studio workflows.
When you may really feel the FLpad appears much like Novation’s present Launchpad lineup, the corporate guarantees “its DNA is totally new”. “From its person interface to its firmware and DAW scripts, FLpad has been designed with FL Studio’s Channel Rack in thoughts,” the corporate says.
You may additionally have an interest to know that every FLpad comes with six months of FL Studio Producer Version (usually priced at £22/month), in addition to a variety of premium devices and results from UVI, GForce and Klevgrand, plus finger-drumming classes from Melodics.
“We’re proud to associate with Picture-Line as soon as once more and construct on the momentum of FLkey 2 with a brand new line of {hardware} controllers,” says Novation Product Supervisor Mario Buoninfante.
“By our earlier collaborations with Picture-Line, we’ve gained a deep appreciation for what makes this DAW so beloved of beatmakers. This understanding has led us on to FLpad – a grid controller made particularly to reinforce FL Studio’s distinctive workflows in intuitive and provoking new methods.”
Worth-wise the bigger FLpad clocks in at $219.99 / £179.99, whereas the smaller FLpad mini is $139.99 / £99.99.
Head over to Novation to be taught extra.
Sam is the Affiliate Information Editor for Guitar.com and MusicTech. Completely immersed in music tradition for almost all of his life, Sam has performed guitar for 20 years, studied music know-how and manufacturing at college, and in addition written for the likes of MusicRadar, Guitar World, Complete Guitar and Steel Hammer.
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