Today, I will present you with 5 FL Studio Plugins.
Due to the fact that FL Studio is the most widely used digital audio workstation (DAW), it is very likely that native plugins are highly popular. Of course, many music producers are in search of other instruments. This implies a lot of time that could be redirected to exploring a plugin that you already have in your collection.
Therefore, I have decided to create a list of 5 plugins from FL Studio that I found to be very useful. I will mention the main advantages that these plugins possess.
Let’s take a look together at the features of these recommended VSTs.
1. Toxic Biohazard FM & Subtractive Synthesizer
It is a subtractive FL Studio plugin. If you want to study Toxic Biohazard in detail, I have found a playlist that will help you understand it.
I want to mention that it is my favourite VST. I have created over 1100 Toxic Biohazard presets. I have made the best of them available for free download on this website. Certainly, I will release new preset collections in the future.
Here are some of the Toxic Biohazard preset collections that I have released for free so far:
• Beautiful Sounds – contains 10 Toxic Biohazard presets
• Universal Bank – includes 25 free Toxic Biohazard presets
• Deluxe Edition – here you can download 32 Toxic Biohazard presets
• Deluxe Pluckeds – a library of 25 presets consisting only of plucked sounds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlBcGR7MFHE
All these Toxic Biohazard presets are 100% free. There is no need to subscribe to the website to download them. You’re probably wondering why I prefer this virtual synthesizer and what are the reasons I promote it. Here are the advantages that Toxic Biohazard offers:
• 6 available oscillators that can import all types of waveforms
Most plugins have a maximum of 4 oscillators. In sound synthesis, each additional oscillator multiplies the possibilities of obtaining highly diverse sounds. Another available option is that you can customize all the oscillators. This means you have the option to import any type of waveform.
Some subtractive synthesizers only have the basic waveforms: sine, triangle, square, saw, and noise. This is quite restrictive and limits your creativity in sound synthesis. Through customizable oscillators, you have access to any waveform you desire.
• accessible and intuitive interface
The intuitiveness and accessibility of a virtual instrument’s interface matter a lot. It helps you save time. The sections in Toxic Biohazard are very well organized. You have 3 oscillators on the left side and another 3 on the right. Each oscillator has separate ADSR envelope and pitch options.
This means that you can practically modify these parameters for each oscillator according to your preference. Moreover, each section is labelled with a specific name.
• The display, which is divided into 3 main sections: Modulation, MIDI, and Sequencer.
You will see that Toxic Biohazard has a sequencer. Here, you have the option to input up to 64 notes. Practically, we’re talking about a melodic line that can be written directly in Toxic Biohazard. This melodic line is saved along with the preset. Furthermore, there is the possibility to import a sequencer from other presets.
• FM synthesis
FM synthesis is a music production technique that involves modifying the frequency of a carrier signal using another signal. This creates another set of possibilities in sound synthesis.
• futuristic design
The combination of colours and shapes makes Toxic Biohazard look futuristic. I think it looks very modern and interesting.
• 2 customizable LFO oscillators
In case you didn’t know, LFO stands for Low-Frequency Oscillator. Like the oscillators that generate sound, LFOs can also be customized. A Low-Frequency Oscillator is used in music synthesizers to generate periodic signals with a low frequency. This oscillating signal is characterized by subsonic frequencies, generally below 20 Hz.
The main role of an LFO is to create modulations and rhythmic variations in various sound parameters. It can be used to control modulation in amplitude (volume), pitch, pass filters, and other characteristics.
2. Sytrus – an FL Studio FM Synthesizer plugin
Sytrus is another highly popular FL Studio plugin. Let’s see what features Sytrus offers:
• 6 customizable FM oscillators
Sytrus utilizes powerful FM synthesis, which involves modulating the frequency of one oscillator with other oscillators to generate complex sounds. It provides up to 6 FM operators that can be individually configured to achieve rich and diverse sounds.
• Modifiable waveforms
The plugin offers a wide range of waveform generators, including sine, triangle, square, saw, and many more. These can be combined and modulated to create unique and interesting timbres. In addition to importing waveforms, you have the option to modify each harmonic of that oscillator.
• Filtering and modulation
Sytrus has integrated filters, including low-pass, band-pass, and high-pass filters, which can be used to shape and modulate the sound spectrum. The plugin also offers complex modulation options such as LFOs, envelopes, and modulation matrices to control and modulate synthesis parameters.
• Built-in effects
Sytrus features a wide range of built-in effects such as reverb, delay, chorus, distortion, and more. These effects can be used to add spatiality, texture, and character to the synthesized sound.
• Modulation matrix
The plugin provides a flexible modulation matrix that allows you to connect and modulate multiple parameters simultaneously. This enables the creation of complex and evolving sounds and textures.
• Additive synthesis
Additive synthesis in music production involves combining multiple sine waveforms together to create a more complex sound. Another advantage of Sytrus is its presence of additive synthesis capabilities. I can say that this is a functionality that Sytrus has in addition to Toxic Biohazard.
Essentially, each waveform can be modified or built from scratch by adjusting the amplitude of each harmonic. Overall, I consider Sytrus to be a more complex synthesizer than Toxic Biohazard.
3. Parametric EQ 2 – 7-band parametric equalizer FL Studio plugin
I believe that a graphical visualization of the sound spectrum is very useful in mixing. Through this visual equalizer, you can analyze all the frequencies of the audio spectrum.
Parametric EQ 2 is a versatile and powerful equalization tool that allows you to adjust and control different frequency bands of your sound. Here are some key features and functions of this plugin:
• Frequency bands
Parametric EQ 2 has multiple frequency bands that you can control individually. Each band is defined by a center frequency, bandwidth (Q), and level of boost or attenuation.
• Types of bands
The plugin offers different types of frequency bands, including Low Shelf, High Shelf, Peak/Notch (bell), and Band Pass. This allows you to specifically adjust the sound spectrum to achieve desired results.
• Level control
Each frequency band can be boosted or attenuated, allowing you to control the overall balance of the sound. This way, you can increase or decrease the intensity of certain frequencies to achieve a more balanced and appropriate sound.
• Bandwidth control (Q)
Parametric EQ 2 allows you to adjust the bandwidth of the frequency bands. This parameter determines how narrow or wide the affected frequency range is with your adjustments. With a smaller Q, you will influence a narrower spectrum, while a larger Q will affect a wider range of frequencies.
• Graphical visualization
The plugin features a graphical representation of the frequency spectrum and the adjustments you make. This visualization allows you to clearly see how the sound spectrum changes as you make adjustments, facilitating the achievement of desired results. Another available option now is the ability to resize this plugin.
Essentially, you can enlarge it using the mouse. This way, you will obtain an even clearer picture of the audio spectrum you want to manipulate. This was not possible in previous versions of FL Studio.
4. Edison – the main audio editing plugin in FL Studio
Edison has proven to be an incredibly useful plugin for processing and manipulating the audio spectrum. I use it every time I need to modify a sampler. Let’s take a detailed look at its main functionalities in Edison:
• Audio recording
It allows for the recording of sounds using the microphone or other audio sources directly in Edison. This is useful for capturing and editing sounds in real time or importing sounds into your FL Studio project.
• Audio editing
Edison offers a wide range of editing tools for manipulating sounds. You can cut, copy, paste, delete, and rearrange audio segments. Additionally, you can apply effects and editing processes such as normalization, inversion, noise reduction, and many others.
• Spectral analysis
The plugin includes an advanced spectral visualization that allows you to see the graphical representation of the frequency spectrum of the sound. This helps you identify and manipulate specific frequencies or detect issues in the mix. One could say that this is a map of the entire sound spectrum that you analyze.
• Advanced manipulation and processing
Edison offers a wide range of effects and sound processing capabilities. You can apply distortion, filtering, equalization, delay, reverb, etc. Moreover, you have access to advanced time stretching and pitch-shifting options.
• Export and integration
After completing the sound editing, you can export the result in various audio formats and import it back into your FL Studio project or other applications. Edison allows you to save the audio material in formats such as WAV, WAVPack (WV), MP3, OGG, and FLAC.
5. Harmor Additive & Subtractive Synthesis
Harmor is arguably the most sophisticated virtual synthesizer in FL Studio. It allows for the creation of a wide variety of sounds. In comparison to Sytrus and Toxic Biohazard, Harmor is a good choice for creating dubstep.
• Additive synthesis
Harmor enables users to add and control individual partials to create the desired sound spectrum. You can adjust the levels, frequencies, phases, and other properties of the partials, providing a high level of detail and control over the sound.
• Spectral resynthesis
Harmor offers advanced spectral resynthesis functions, allowing users to analyze and reconstruct the spectrum of a sound. This enables the manipulation and transformation of existing sounds or audio sources, opening up a wide range of sonic possibilities.
• Advanced modulation
The synthesizer provides a variety of modulation options to create complex and evolving sounds. These include LFOs, envelopes, modulation matrices, and more, allowing for control and modulation of key parameters to achieve dynamic and expressive sounds.
• Filtering and Effects
The plugin features built-in filters, including low-pass, band-pass, and high-pass filters, which can be used to sculpt the sound spectrum. Additionally, Harmor offers a range of integrated effects such as reverb, delay, distortion, and others to add texture and spatiality to the sound.
• Advanced Editing and Manipulation Functions
Harmor includes powerful sound editing and manipulation tools, such as spectral deformation, partial sequencing, and others. These functions allow for creative and innovative shaping and transformation of sounds.
Which FL Studio plugins do you prefer and why?
Of course, it is up to you whether you prefer to use these FL Studio plugins. As mentioned at the beginning, many music producers and sound engineers prefer using other programs. In FL Studio, you have two options.
The first is to learn the native plugins that are available, and the second is to search for external plugins. In the following articles, I will write about other plugins that are not part of this DAW. I will refer to synthesizers, effects, as well as other types of VSTs. Do you use any other FL Studio plugins? Please leave a comment sharing your recommendations.