Unbeatable value (Fruityloops 3)

Member Name: Melter

Product:	Fruityloops 3
Date:	20/08/02 (743 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Everything you'll need in one package, Price, Free upgrades

Disadvantages: Patience and perserverance reqd to get the best out of it, Getting up again after you managed to drag yourself away at 3am.

Having grown up with home computers (my first being a Commodore Vic20) before the boom in the PC market, all my music was made using trackers - Protracker, Modtracker, etc. Anybody that knows the development of these will appreciate the depth with which you had to go to create music on these things; a somewhat masochistic approach was needed. When I made the transition to PC's some years ago I found it extremely difficult to adapt to any of the current music packages available and using a tracker again on a PC didn't feel right, like taking a step backwards. So I gave up for some time unsure of what I was really looking for.

A couple of years ago I picked up my first copy of Computer Music magazine just to see how things had developed. Amongst some of the impressive demos on the cover disc was Fruityloops. That was it for me, a few hours using this software and I was hooked again. Even on this pre-vsti, pre-pianoroll, pre-everything version the potential to produce some great sounds was evident beneath the 'flashy drum machine' visuals.

Prepurchase plus point no.1:
First of all the demo itself has to be particularly applauded. There's no time limit, no intermittent bleeps or dips in sound every 30 seconds, and as the 'export to wav/mp3' option isn't disabled it is possible to make your own loops and even full tracks (if you have the day to spare). This was important for me because it allowed me to explore the software completely, and want to keep up with new versions as they came out. Not everybody can just rush out and buy software as it comes along so the time spent with the Fruityloops demo just made my mind up that I would buy the full version when funds were available.

Prepurchase plus points no.2 and 3:
The price ($99 Full version) is unbelievable for software of this quality and how many software companies offer free upgrades throughout the life of the product. The upgrades are not just minor
tweaks and bug fixes neither, the developers really make the effort to listen to the users suggestions and move the software up another level each time.

The Full Software:
The boxed version doesn't come with free updates (though this can be bought as an option) so buy online to get these and the very latest version. Getting Fruityloops up and running is straightforward. If you're already using the demo you're halfway there. The registration details are emailed to you upon acceptance of payment and this activates the demo for full use.

So what do you get?

A step sequencer - This is where you add your softsynths, samples, loops on to the unlimited number of channels. Each channel allows you to play from 4 to 64 notes per pattern. These patterns are then activated via the playlist in any sequence you want. Notes can be played/edited via your computer keyboard or externally through midi.

A pianoroll - This gives you more control allowing you to play chords; sustain or shorten notes; overlap notes; quantize for live recording, etc. The pianoroll isn't restricted to the same notes per pattern that you set for the step sequencer.

Generators - These are synth and sound manipulation tools provided by the developers to get you started. Most are full versions, but a couple are demos that can be bought later if you like them.

Effects - Fruityloops has an effects section that has 1 master channel, 16 individual channels, and 4 send channels, that each allow up to 8 effects plugins to be added. You're provided with most plugins you'll need to start you off - Equalizers, Flanger, Phaser, Delays and so on.

Vsti / Dxi support - With this you're not limited to what Fruityloops provides. Any company that produces softsynths, samplers, drum machines, effects, that have a vsti/dxi version can be used in Fruityloops. There are a lot of free vsti's out there these days of exceptional qualit
y.

Automation - Any Fruityloops wheel or slider can be automated to your hearts content. Fade-in, fade-out instruments; warp a bassline as the song progresses; add some delay then turn it off, whatever. Automation can be recorded live internally (with your mouse) or externally (with a midi controller), or edited by hand.

You also get a varied selection of samples all with easy access; a good range of demo tracks that hopefully show you that Fruityloops can make more than just dance music; and a few tutorials to help you through the more complicated elements of the software. It's impossible to list all the features available you just have to try it for yourself.

Fruityloops has recently released version 3.5x with new features that include a new advanced quantizer; a new advanced note chopper; an integrated speech engine; and Fruityloops as a Vsti client, meaning you can use it as a vsti within other software. Check the older news on their website for what they've added since version 3.

The learning curve with Fruityloops is quite steep but well worth the effort though most problems have already been answered on the website's forum if you're really stuck. I would highly recommend you at least try the demo and see what you've been missing out on.

Summary: