Common fixes for MIDI recording issues in FL Studio can be ensuring you have your MIDI device set up and enabled in the MIDI settings tab. Another fix relating to incorrectly MIDI note placement after recording can be to enter the audio settings tab, change the playback tracking setting to the driver option and bring the offset slider all the way to -200%.
MIDI Recording Problems In FL Studio
MIDI issues can get in the way of your creative process when you are trying to create a part of a track through live recorded instruments.
In this FL Studio tutorial, we will look at some of the most common causes for MIDI recording problems in Fruity Loops Studio.
In the first section, we will look into a fix if you have difficulties getting your MIDI device to work in FL Studio. Then we will move on to an easy fix for MIDI delay between you pushing a note and getting registered in the piano roll.
Let’s jump in!
MIDI Controller Not Working
This first section will look at the easiest fix if you cannot get your MIDI device to work within FL Studio.
Luckily Image-Line has made it very simple for its users to see which MIDI devices are connected and enabled through the MIDI settings. These settings can be found by navigating to the options menu at the top left and selecting the MIDI settings option.
In the MIDI settings tab, you can see your computer’s inputs and outputs and which ports they are assigned to.
Here you will want to make sure that both the input and output show the MIDI device and that they are both selected and enabled.
If they are not showing up in the input and output section, you may want to ensure that the MIDI device is selected in the controller type drop-down menu below the inputs section.
Once all this is done, you should be set up to hear audio coming from your MIDI device when you have a VST plugin open.
MIDI Notes Recording Incorrectly
If, instead, you are having issues with your MIDI being recorded incorrectly inside of FL Studio, then you will want to look into the audio settings tab.
Audio settings can be found by navigating to the options drop-down menu and selecting the audio settings option. Once there, you will want to focus on the playback tracking option and then select the driver option from the drop-down menu.
With that selected, you also want to slide the offset all the way to -200%.
You should find that this sorts out any strange delayed MIDI notes you were experiencing.
If you are still having some issues, you might want to check that you don’t have any quantized options selected by accident. This can be seen next to the small magnet icon just to the left of the pattern select indicator in the top hot bar.
Related Questions
What Is the Benefit of Using a MIDI Controller?
MIDI controllers can be a great way of producing and getting ideas down without just being stuck looking at your screen the whole time. Some producers find it a more natural way to conceive new ideas for a project, and it can often lead to songs that you would not have come up with otherwise.
You can also try experimenting with the wide variety of MIDI devices out there to see which ones work best for you. You may find that something like a drum pad appeals to you more, so you can quickly experiment with new rhythmic ideas.
Is It Worth Having a MIDI Controller?
MIDI controllers will be more worthwhile for some than others, and it depends on what you are looking to get out of having one. For example, if you have experience playing keys or are looking to learn, getting a MIDI keyboard might be a good idea.
Some people might find that they simply work better within the DAW alone. That is a good way of working and might yield better results for some regarding audio production.
Can I Use a Push in FL Studio?
You can use an Ableton Push in FL Studio. However, you will find that much of its functionality has been dramatically reduced because it is not being synced up to its native Ableton software.
When using a Push with FL Studio, you will find that the main screen at the top does not show any of the information that it would generally show if you were using it with Ableton. That being said, you will still be able to use the pads as a regular MIDI device.
The Push is explicitly designed to be used with Ableton and is only fully compatible with that software.
Do MIDI Devices Work in All DAWs?
All of the popular DAWs such as Ableton, FL Studio, Logic Pro, and Pro Tools will feature compatibility for a wide variety of different MIDI devices. In most cases, you should be able to plug in and play for the most part, with some midi settings tweaks required in some instances.
What if My MIDI Device Is Not Recognized By FL Studio?
If your MIDI device is not recognized or visible in the list of MIDI devices in FL Studio, then you can simply find the one that closest resembles your MIDI device. You can find the FL Studio recognized MIDI devices list in the MIDI settings tab below the MIDI input section.
To the left of the drop-down menu, you can click on the small question mark symbol, which will take you to an official Image-Line FL Studio help page. Here you can find which controller you can select from the list that shares the most compatibly with your device.
Do All DAWs Have MIDI Signal Latency Issues?
Most DAWs will have a feature that compensates for the delay that you may experience in your digital audio workstation. Depending on the power of your hardware and how demanding the types of VST plugins used are, you may need to increase or decrease this buffer/delay in response to this.
DAWs have MIDI delay built-in as it makes sure that everything in the project is still running simultaneously, even when live MIDI data is being recorded in. To do this, they will sync the project timing to the most delayed signal to make sure that everything sounds correct and in time when playing back.
Will My MIDI Device Work as Soon as I Plug It In?
In most cases, supposing that you have purchased a relatively recent and popular MIDI controller, it should work for the most part straight out of the box. Depending on your DAW and controller combination, you may find that you need to set up the device more thoroughly in your DAWs settings options.
It is also worth noting that you will need to ensure that you have the latest drivers for your device installed to ensure that it is compatible with the most recent DAW version.
Final Words
Getting your MIDI device set up and working correctly can be frustrating if things aren’t working straight out of the box.
Still, hopefully, through reading this article, you can better understand some quick and easy methods of getting issues sorted so that you can get back into your music production!
Want to learn more? Click here to find out How To Unmute In FL Studio.
Want to connect with other music producers for help and guidance?