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With each update, Image-Line continues to add an array of new features, shortcuts, and workflows to its flagship DAW, FL Studio.
In the tutorial video above, veteran hip hop producer and beat maker Isaac Duarte returned to the Splice YouTube channel to showcase five underrated FL Studio features that every user needs to know about to get the most out of the DAW. From workflow level-ups to new compositional tools, Duarte brings valuable insights for every type of creator—watch along to see each feature in action, and read highlights below.
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1. Note repeat
Note repeat is a simple but powerful MIDI feature that automatically re-triggers a note at a set rate, rather than requiring you to manually sequence repeated notes. You can access it in the piano roll by going to Control → Note repeat, and it’s great for creating hi-hat rolls or rhythmic stutters in beats.
Go to 0:15 in the video to hear Duarte showcase this feature in the context of an actual beat.
2. Channel rack burn
When producers want to loop a pattern they made in the channel rack, many might go into each sound in the piano roll to copy and paste it, or try to recreate the pattern manually in the next bar. However, there’s an easier way—simply go to the Set to menu in the upper-right corner, and select your desired amount of bars. From there, go to the loop arrow in the top-left corner and select Burn to pattern → Burn all looping channels. While it’s underutilized, this trick can save a ton of time for beat makers in particular.
Go to 1:16 in the video to see Duarte walk through these menus and discuss an alternate method for looping individual parts.
3. Generate chord progressions
Introduced in FL Studio 2024, this feature helps you find starting points for different chord progressions if you’re not sure where to begin. Access it by going to Tools → Generate chord progression, and you’ll be able to explore new progressions by either clicking the Generate button, or navigating the available presets labeled by feeling.
You can invert chords by adjusting the number in the top-right corner, and if you don’t like a particular chord, double-click it and it’ll suggest alternate options. Once you find something you like, hit Accept and you’ve got a solid foundation to build on.
Note that the emotional impact of chord progressions is always context-dependent—for more tips and examples, be sure to check out our guide on building sad progressions:
Go to 2:26 in the video to watch Duarte build his own progression using the generator.
4. Lock to scale
Lock to scale locks all of your MIDI notes into one scale, which can be helpful for beginners who are navigating an unfamiliar key. Simply hit the note icon in the piano roll, and then select Major (Ionian), Minor Natural (Aeolian), or whatever alternate key or mode you might be working within.
Go to 3:42 in the video to watch Duarte as he writes a melody with this feature over the chord progression he previously built.
5. Humanize
Last but not least, this feature lets you humanize your MIDI so it sounds like a person is actually playing it. To get started, go to the wrench tool in the top-left corner of the piano roll and hit Humanize. This feature slightly offsets the velocity and timing of each note to give them a more imperfect, human feel. The best approach is to just mess around with the settings and use your ear to see if you like it—you can always hit Regenerate for a random result and adjust from there.
For more in-depth tips, check out our dedicated guide on the art of MIDI humanization:
Go to 5:58 in the video to watch Duarte humanize the MIDI for his melody.
Go forth and explore these FL Studio features firsthand
And there you have it! At the end of the day, there’s no better way to improve your workflow in a DAW than by diving in firsthand, so give these features a try for yourself and discover your own best use cases (if any) for each of them. And if you don’t know where to start, try Create’s new audio upload feature that Duarte showcases at the end of his tutorial to find potential starting points for your next FL project.
What was your favorite tip that Duarte covered? Which DAWs would you like to see us focus on next? Let us know in the comments section of the video, and start a conversation with us and an ever-growing community of music creators via the Splice Discord.
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July 2, 2026
