In the second part of our ‘Become a Power User of FL Studio’ series we reveal how getting MIDI into FL is much more flexible than simply pressing a keyboard, as Hollin Jones reveals in our latest FL Studio Tutorial
FL Studio is at its heart a great MIDI recording and sequencing application. Even though it also records audio, for much of its life it concentrated on MIDI and this is still the thing for which many people love it the most. Partly this is down to the fact that it comes with such an amazing selection of MIDI-triggered instruments, and has a range of tools for programming and inputting data. It helps to be a great player of course but it’s far from essential with FL Studio’s step input mode and arpeggiator amongst many other clever ways to input notes.
The great thing about basing a lot of your composition on MIDI tracks is that they are almost endlessy flexible, with none of the limitations of digital audio files. MIDI can be copied, pasted, altered, manipulated and re-routed easily. It’s weightless too, meaning that MIDI data uses virtually no space and no CPU power. In fact the only thing that uses resources is whatever yous end the MIDI to in order to make sound, typically a software instrument.
You can use MIDI tracks to trigger external hardware too of course, and route the audio signal from synths, drum machines and other MIDI hardware back into FL Studio for recording. This lets you incorporate older, more traditional hardware that might be fiddly to program into the much more user-friendly world of FL Studio where putting together complex parts is much easier than it ever was using outboard kit.
In terms of getting MIDI in you can use your computer’s keyboard, a regular MIDI keyboard or a more specialised MIDI control surface. FL Studio supports the connection of multiple devices, though to avoid conflicts it can be a good idea to assign each one a unique MIDI channel to work on. In fact there are a number of controller templates in the FL Studio installation directory (Program FilesImage-LineFL StudioSystemHardware specific). These templates are loaded into the editor that came with your controller and will map it to FL Studio. So hook up your MIDI device and get recording parts right now!
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There’s a handy tool in FL Studio for generating MIDI parts called Riff Machine. Choose Tools > Riff Machine and a new window opens. With it, you can create randomized patterns for whatever generator or instrument you currently have selected. There are multiple options including chords, progressions, arpeggios, flips, humanization and interpretation. Each one has a set of tweakable controls and can be previewed. If you’re happy with the results, accept them, or start over to do something entirely new.
This is a great way to create complex and involving MIDI parts from only the most basic of input. It helps you to create music from nowhere, or to take the music you have already made and alter it easily.
Step by Step
1: With your MIDI interface or device connected, go into FL Studio’s MIDI Settings section and make sure it is visible and selected. If you click on the Controller Type menu you will be able to assign it directly if it’s a device that has a template supplied. Otherwise, just choose Generic Controller from this menu.
2: Set the MIDI channel of the device in the Port box by clicking and holding then dragging the mouse up or down. It’s also possible to set dedicated MIDI channels to control things like onmi preview, song marker jump, performance mode and generator mute in this window, if you have additional controllers connected for these purposes.
3: In the main window, go to the Transport panel and right click on the Record button to access the recording filter. Make sure that Score is selected so that notes will be captured. Appxsvc appx deployment service (appxsvc). By default, recordings will go into the Piano Roll editor for a track. Here you can change this to send notes to the Step Sequencer if you like.
4: The simplest way of inputting MIDI doesn’t actually involve an input device at all, just the mouse. Go to the Step Sequencer and set the length of the pattern using the box at the top left, check the master tempo of the project and edit if necessary. Then click the buttons in each channel to trigger a note at a specific point.
5: That’s fine for beats but for anything melodic you will need to be a little more creative. Try creating a bass instrument for example and it will appear in the Step Sequencer window. Select it and then click on the Keyboard Editor button at the top right hand corner of the Pattern window. This then allows you to use the mouse to enter multiple chromatic notes easily.
6: This editor has a few more tricks up its sleeve, such as tiny portamento switches at the top of each note lane, denoted by triangles. You can also apply swing to the whole pattern using the tiny variable slider at the top of the window, and activate looping for the pattern with the loop button by the length box.
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Download 350 of the best MIDI files (limited time only): Click Here
Arguably, MIDI Files are now as important as sheet music.
That’s because with MIDI files you can control EVERYTHING from soft synths to hardware synthesizers, drum machines, samplers, and so many different types of MIDI controllers (like an Ableton Push for example).
Don’t get me wrong — sheet music is still widely used, but many modern music producers just write songs directly in the piano roll or MIDI editor from their DAW.
Not to mention, in the same fashion people would look for sheet music to study other composers, you can now look for MIDI files and learn from your favorite music producers!
MIDI files can range from simple melodies, chords progressions, MIDI drum grooves, even to fully completed songs!
You can study them by getting MIDI files from songs that you really like, putting them inside your DAW, and study how the artist arranged the chords, melody, drum grooves, and bass line — assuming it's all included in the MIDI file.
For that reason, MIDI files are really valuable as an educational resource.
But unfortunately, not every song out there is available as a MIDI file.
So, to help you find all the best MIDI files online, we’ve gathered a list of over 133 MIDI files!
And the best part is, they’re ALL free. So you can download them without worrying about the cost, and start learning instantly.
Also — please keep in mind that the Cymatics free MIDI files are the only ones that are guaranteed to be royalty free!
Cymatics Free MIDI Files
We have been creating MIDI files for quite a long time and included most of them in our sample packs.
We received an incredible response, and for that reason we had to start releasing even more free MIDI files as a token of our appreciation.
Cymatics - MIDI Chord Progressions Vol 1
Cymatics - MIDI Chord Progressions Vol 2
Cymatics - MIDI Chord Progressions Vol 3
Cymatics - MIDI Chord Progressions Vol 4
Cymatics - MIDI Chord Progressions Vol 5
Cymatics - Future Bass MIDI Files And Loops
Academy.fm MIDI Files (Free for a Limited Time)
If you want the highest quality original MIDI files online, you can access them with a free trial of Academy.fm!
Each MIDI pack includes 50 chord progressions that are perfect for any genre of EDM or Hip Hop. These MIDI packs will instantly improve your songwriting!
Academy.fm - Essential MIDI Collection Vol 1
Academy.fm - Essential MIDI Collection Vol 2
Academy.fm - Essential MIDI Collection Vol 3
Academy.fm - Essential MIDI Collection Vol 4
Academy.fm - Essential MIDI Collection Vol 5
Academy.fm - Essential MIDI Collection Vol 6
EDM Free MIDI Files
EDM has been one of the fastest rising musical genres in recent years.
One of the best ways to make great EDM songs is to have really catchy hooks and memorable melodies!
For that reason, we searched for some of the biggest EDM hit songs, that way you can study some of its most common songwriting techniques and implement them in your own production.
Alan Walker - Faded
Alan Walker - Alone
Alan Walker - Sing Me To Sleep
Calvin Harris - My Way
Calvin Harris - Blame
Deadmau5 - So There I Was
Deadmau5 - 2448
Deadmau5 - Deus Ex Machina
Deadmau5 - No Problem
Deadmau5 - Hyperlandia
Deadmau5 - Let Go
Galantis & Hook N Sling - Love On Me
Galantis - No Money
Galimatias - Noelle’s Eloquence
Madeon - Icarus
Marshmello - Alone
Marshmello - Ritual
Marshmello - Summer
Martin Garrix - In The Name Of Love
Martin Garrix - Scared To Be Lonely
Martin Garrix - Hold On & Believe
Nero - The Thrill (Porter Robinson Remix)
Pegboard Nerds - Emoji
Pegboard Nerds - Melodymania
Pendulum - Witchcraft
Pendulum - Salt In The Wounds
Porter Robinson - Sad Machine
Porter Robinson & Madeon - Shelter
Vanic - Make Me Fade
Wax Motif & Vindata - Crazy
Zedd & Grey - Starving
Electronica Free MIDI Files
Electronica is another music genre that has had a big amount of success in recent years.
Some of its biggest artists like Cashmere Cat, Mura Masa, and ODESZA even made a successful crossover to the Pop music and mainstream radio world.
Producers in this music genre tend to incorporate a little bit more advanced songwriting techniques.
For that reason, “Electronica” is a really fun music genre to study that will definitely help you out getting your songwriting and production techniques to the next level!
Cashmere Cat - With me
Cashmere Cat - Rice Rain
Dawn Golden - All I Want (Manila Killa Remix)
Flume - Insane
Mura Masa - What If I Go
Mura Masa - Suicide Blades
ODESZA - Sun Models
Oh Wonder - All We Do
RUFUS - You Were Right
San Holo - Light
Pop Music Free MIDI Files
Pop music has been the most successful music genre for decades.
What many people don’t know is that Pop music producers actually borrow a lot of songwriting and production techniques from smaller genres.
This is one of the reasons why Pop music has barely seen any decline in popularity for years!
They don’t reinvent the wheel, they just keep borrowing elements from different music genres and innovate, making it accessible to the masses.
We highly encourage you to study some of these Pop songs. There’s a great deal to learn about them, and you’ll be well on your way to make catchy songs that’ll appeal to a bigger audience!
Bruno Mars - Grenade
Bruno Mars - The Lazy Song
Bruno Mars - Runaway Baby
Ed Sheeran - Shape Of You
Ellie Goulding - Love Me Like You Do
Enya - Memory of Trees
George Ezra – Budapest
Gorillaz - Saturnz Barz
Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know
Imagine Dragons - Demons
James Blunt - You’re Beautiful
Major Lazer - Run Up
One Direction - Best Song Ever
Selena Gomez - Love You Like A Love Song
The Chainsmokers - Paris
The Chainsmokers & Coldplay - Something Just Like This
The Chainsmokers - Setting Fires
The Chainsmokers - Closer
The Chainsmokers - All We Know
The Weeknd - Party Monster
The Weeknd - I Feel It Coming
The Weeknd - Reminder
RnB, Hip Hop & Trap Free MIDI Files
Just like Pop music — RnB, Hip Hop, and Trap have had an incredible amount of success for decades.
These music genres also made successful crossovers to the mainstream radio world. Just as we mentioned above, borrowing elements from other styles of music is a great way to keep your music interesting.
These music styles tend to have some of the best drum grooves and sampling techniques — creatively speaking — so make sure to check some of these out!
Kaaris - Charge (Mr. Carmack Remix)
Kaytranada - You
Mr. Carmack - Crash (Charms)
Mr. Carmack - Pay For What
RUFUS - Innerbloom (What So Not Remix)
RL Grime - Aurora
RL Grime - Neat
Sam Gellaitry - Shake
Sam Gellaitry - Dreamscapes
Zeds Dead & NGHTMRE - Frontlines
Rock & Metal Free MIDI Files
Many people grew up listening to Rock and Metal music. Arguably, they were two of the most popular genres that had a place in the mainstream limelight before other styles took over.
Bands and artists in the likes of Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, Def Leppard, Guns N’ Roses — and more recent bands like Linkin Park and U2 — have become classics!
Even if they’re not that popular anymore, they achieved their status for one reason..
Incredible songwriting!
You can only benefit by studying some of these timeless songs.
Aerosmith - Dream On
Aerosmith - Come Together
Aerosmith - Janie’s Got A Gun
Cars - Let the Good Times Roll
Cat Stevens - Father and Son
Cat Stevens - Moonshadow
Def Leppard - Armageddon It
Def Leppard - Bringing On The Heartbreak
Doors - Break On Through
Doors - Love Me Two Times
Doors - The End
Eagles - Hotel California
Eagles - How Long
Eagles - Take it Easy
Eiffel 65 - Blue
Elton John - Circle Of Life
Elton John - Rocket Man
Elton John - Tiny Dancer
Elton John – Your Song
Fall Out Boy - Light Em' Up
Fall Out Boy - Sugar We’re Going Down
Greenday - Boulevard Of Broken Dreams
Greenday - Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)
Guns N Roses - Dust In The Wind
Jimi Hendrix - All Along The Watch Tower
Johnny Cash - I Walk The Line
Kiss - Detroit Rock City
Linkin Park - In The End
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Free Bird
Oingo Boingo - Dead Man’s Party
Oingo Boingo - Grey Matter
Pink Floyd - Comfortably Numb
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
R.E.M. - Losing My Religion
R.E.M. - The One I Love
Rolling Stones - Paint it Black
Rolling Stones - Satisfaction
Free Midi Software
Tears for Fears - Head Over Heals
U2 - I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For
U2 - With or Without You
FL Studio Exclusive Free MIDI Files And Projects
In this section you’ll find exclusively FL Studio projects that might include different type of MIDI files, ranging from melodies, to chords, and even fully arranged songs!
ALL MARTIN GARRIX MELODIES (FL STUDIO) [Almost] 2016 *FLP DL*
Best of Marshmello Melody Compilation in Fl Studio + FLP
Best Melodies of 2016 & 2017 in Fl Studio! [FREE FLP & MIDI] (The Chainsmokers, Dj Snake
Best of EDM Melodies 2016 in FL Studio (pt 3) (FREE FLP)
Best of Calvin Harris and David Guetta Melody in FL Studio (FREE FLP)
Best EDM Melodies 2015 - 2016 Part 1 By: Gerson Remakes - FL STUDIO
Best of R3HAB Melody In FL Studio (FREE FLP)
Best of KSHMR Melody In FL Studio (FREE FLP)
Best of Hardwell Melody In FL Studio (FREE FLP)
Fl Studio: Beautiful Piano Melody (Free FLP Download)
Other Free MIDI Files
In this section you’ll find a few other MIDI files that will serve you as tools or inspiration to start new music projects, make sure to use them wisely!
Progressive House MIDI Pack Free Download
Ableton Live Royalty Free Progressive House MIDI Download - Alesso Manse Martin Garrix DVBBS STYLE
50 Royalty Free Midi Chords - FREE DOWNLOAD + Ableton Project File
Original EDM Melodies MIDI Pack Vol.1 (Progressive House)
Original EDM Melodies MIDI Pack Vol.2 (Progressive House)
TuenStudios: 60 Free MIDI Melodies
Uplifting Trance Chords and Melodies Volume 2 (Midi pack download)
Conclusion
The ultimate goal of this huge list of MIDI files is to give you an insight on how different genres are composed and arranged.
Having a good understanding of different music genres can open you many doors as a music producer, as versatility is a very sought skill.
These MIDI files can also serve as a great foundation to spark new ideas and we encourage you to experiment with them, but always keep in mind to pay respect to the original artist.
If you know about any other free MIDI files that aren’t included in this list, please let us know in the comment section below!
Bookmark this to stay updated, as we will continue to add resources to this list!
Music production is raised to the next level with the appropriate tools. To create music in FL Studios, you need a midi keyboard controller, which allows sound control within the FL Studios program. The keyboard is used to program drum patterns as well as instrument patterns, and is easy to set up.
Connect the USB cable to the midi keyboard and the other end into the USB port on the computer hard drive. Allow the computer to find and install the drivers needed to operate the midi controller.
Turn on the keyboard. Some midi keyboards are powered from computers, others require batteries or adapters.
Open the FL Studios program and choose 'Options'; some options will need to be changed for your midi controller to work. Check the box marked 'Enable Midi Remote Control.'
Return to FL Studios and select 'Midi Options' from the menu.
Choose your keyboard, listed in the 'Remote Control Input' section, to enable use of your midi keyboard in FL Studios.
Load an instrument into the Step Sequencer, then press keys on your keyboard. Wifi map in bristol. You should hear notes every time a key is pressed.