Here’s how to make automation clips in FL Studio with third-party plugins, like Sylenth1, Serum, or Massive.
New to FL Studio? Start first with the FL Studio Beginner’s Guide (self-affiliated).
What is a third-party plugin?
A “third-party plugin” is an instrument or effect from an outside source (not part of FL Studio). A “stock plugin” (or “native plugin”) is an instrument or effect inside the source (part of FL Studio).
If you don’t know how to install third-party plugins, check out this post.
Before you make an automation clip
Before you can create an automation clip effectively, you must have a sound first. In reality, you have your own sounds and settings. But in the video, I’ve made a simple Sylenth1 sound for demonstration purposes. It has a filter automation, which is very common.
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Most instruments and plugins have a bunch of settings. For all of these settings, creating automation clips is similar.
The problem with automation clips
Typically, an automation clip starts at the same value as the setting on your synthesizer. If this setting is different, the starting position of your automation clip will force it to a different value. This usually creates a modified sound or unwanted effect.
For example, a filter cutoff has a value of 35%. So, the knob is 35% “open”. If we want to create an automation clip for the filter cutoff, the value needs to start at 35%. After all, this is the level of the original sound. If we gave it a different value, the sound will be different.
How to create an automation clip
Now, to create the automation clip, click and wiggle your desired setting (knob) a little bit. Then, click “Tools” in the FL Studio menu, select “Last tweaked” and click “Create automation clip”. The automation clip will now appear on the FL Studio playlist.
If you do this, you can see the correct starting value inside the automation clip. In our example, for the filter cutoff. It keeps the sound how we initially designed it.
Of course, you could also set the value of the automation clip manually. But this is less convenient. It’s a hassle to tweak the automation clip to the initial value of the parameter. (A parameter just refers to the knob, slider or setting.)
Make automated movements
When the value is correct, you can now make movements starting from this point. Consider it your baseline. Of course, you also need to play some notes to produce an actual sound. Else, you will not hear the automation clip affecting the sound.
So, go ahead. Make some epic movements. You now know how to do this with third-party plugins.
Make music rapidly
If you want to dominate FL Studio as fast as possible, don’t waste another minute, and start now with the FL Studio Beginner’s Guide (self-affiliated).
Many new producers have followed it with great success.