This article teaches how to sample in FL Studio with Slicex.
Slicex is an audio plugin for slicing and sampling audio loops. Slicex also allows you to route each slice to a unique mixer track, and many other advanced features.
Slicex brings tremendous power and creativity to beatmakers who like sampling.
WATCH: How to Backup Slicex in FL Studio
How to Sample in FL Studio
There are many ways you can approach sampling in FL Studio, but using Slicex is by far the easiest, and most powerful.
You can also use Fruity Slicer, but I personally recommend using Slicex (manual) for workflow, and convenience!
Using Slicex in FL Studio
When you drag a loop into Slicex, it should automatically slice the loop for you. You then simply press your MIDI Keyboard keys to trigger the individual slices of your audio!:
If Slicex doesn’t slice as intended, simply RIGHT-CLICK the auto-slice button (red arrow in image), then select a different auto-slice option.
I usually find medium auto-slicing gives the best results.
Slicex – Detection (Auto Slice)
In the image above, I dragged a drum loop into Slicex.
Because a drum loop has very visual and clear transients (spikey parts of the audio), an audio slicer like Slicex automatically slices this type of audio very easy for us.
Loading a drum loop into Slicex to sample is a very powerful beatmaking technique to make a drum loop because sounds overlap each other, and when you trigger different sounds, you may get that sound overlap for a cool sound. (It’s one of those “creative things to try” when making beats).
But, if you’re dragging in another types of audio, like an audio loop containing melodies, sometimes you may have to fine-tune Slicex.
Again, usually Medium Auto-Slicing gives the best results. If you select Sharp Auto-Slicing, you’ll find the slices are very short, and extremely hard to use.
If you drag a normal audio loop (5-20 seconds), I’ve gotten the best results. A longer loop gets a little trickier, requiring more zooming in/out, or trying to find the slice to trigger off your MIDI Keyboard.
How to Use Slicex in the Piano Roll
The most powerful part of Slicex is using it in the Piano roll.
RIGHT-CLICK Slicex in the Channel rack, and select Piano roll.
Now you can simply click in MIDI Notes in the Piano roll, and use Slicex as a Virtual Instrument!
Two things to mention about Slicex in the Piano roll:
- Disable “Auto-Dump”
- Dump Slices to Piano Roll Button
Disable Slicex Auto-Dump
One of the most annoying features of Slicex is that it automatically enables “Auto-Dump”. This means if you move one of the slices, it will remove all your MIDI Notes you’ve programmed, so be careful!
If you disable auto-dump, you can simply just use “Dump score to piano roll” to push all slices as MIDI Notes into the piano roll (explained below):
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve programmed my MIDI Notes, decided to adjust one slice, and Slicex replaced all my MIDI Notes!
Even though CTRL + Z (undo) fixes it.. it’s annoying!
In short.. disable auto-dump for a very awesome Slicex workflow. (You can always re-enable it whenever you’d like).
Dump Score to Piano Roll
“Dump score to piano roll” is like a “manual auto-dump”. It’s a better feature, in my opinion.
If you right-click it, you are presented with A LOT of powerful manipulation to your MIDI Notes into the Piano Roll:
It sends the slices as midi notes into FL Studio’s Piano Roll
Right-Click it to see all the powerful options inside!
Pros and Cons of Sampling (Copyright)
I want to quickly talk about sampling, as many people don’t understand copyright here.
LISTEN: S2E28 – Your Copyright is EVERYTHING!
When you use another person’s music, slice it up, and create another beat out of it, you are infringing on their copyright.
Do not listen to other people, you will get in trouble.
Now, you can get what’s called sample clearance, but make sure your legal stuff is in order before you release a sampled beat.
Even if you have a 100% royalty free license, you will still have troubles getting your music accepted with online music distribution.. sampling opens up a huge can of issues.
Sampling vs. Original Compositions:
I’ve talked about Original Compositions vs. Sampling a lot over the years.. here’s my podcast episode on it:
LISTEN: S2E13 – How to Make a Real Beat
(Free Training on Original Compositions vs. Sampling)
Original compositions give us as producers the most benefit because they don’t suffer from the copyright issues of sampling.
However, for many, knowing how to make melodies is very hard, and so sampling can be an easier way to make beats.
But.. that’s not totally true, because sampling is an art!
It truly takes talent to sample audio.. and a great example is “California Love by Tupac” (original song was Joe Cocker’s song “Woman to Woman”.)
What I’m wanting to get across to you is that as a producer, it’s wise to learn both Original Compositions and Sampling to become well-rounded, however, sampling requires a lot more legal work.
Want to sample and 100% avoid copyright?
Try my course: Sample Your Own Music
Conclusion: How to Use Slicex in FL Studio
This was an older video on an easy way to sample in FL Studio with Slicex, based off a customer’s question.
As a producer, I typically like to create original compositions, but I always tell you guys that you should be practicing sampling every now and then to learn audio in a totally different way.
Sampling IS NOT the same as using midi packs.
Pre-made drum loops and midi packs is for noobs who seriously struggle with making music.
Sampling is a serious talent, which takes a trained ear for what to sample, how to line up those slices, and even how to add melodies such as layering a bassline over top of the sample.
Don’t fall into the trap out there! Become a good producer through reading, practicing, and keeping the true producers alive.
If you ever have a question, email me directly here.
If you’re serious about beatmaking, try my FL Studio courses!
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