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i have noticed that almost every FL tutorial vid i watch everyone uses the white bars right beside the patterns 1, 2 ,3 etc.. i admit i did this for about the first 2 weeks i used fl then found it much easier to see what is going on by using the section above the patterns where all the automation and shit goes. i write my entire track here and do not use those white bars at all, and so far i have been able to do everything i want with this method BUT, i am wondering...

question: does it matter which area you work in, are there any advantages to using the bottom as apposed to the top, other then being able to see your entire tune play out without the screen moving or whatever, cuz really that doesnt mean much to me , unless i am missing something.

Quicker using paintbrush tool, easier on the eyes then how drum patterns look at the top, if you leavedrums midi they turn into transparent bricks with lil dots on the top.

Doesn't really make any difference what area you work in. I actually use a mixture of both bottom and the top. Bottom for my drums, sub and a few others bits, top for my pads, incidentals and obviously automation and shit.

I never use the bottom bit, dont see the point. you cant see your patterns properly at all.

The blocks at the bottom half is rooted in older versions of FL so long time users are more accustomed to them, I'm slowly moving towards using the top half now, but both have their uses, and it really doesn't make any difference to your sound or workflow, it's just personal preference.

Crosby wrote:I never use the bottom bit, dont see the point. you cant see your patterns properly at all.

The bottom pattern blocks are often quicker to paint. Everyone works differently and maybe i just have my views because I have been using FL since about fruity 3 (i think).

B-Frank wrote:

Crosby wrote:I never use the bottom bit, dont see the point. you cant see your patterns properly at all.

The bottom pattern blocks are often quicker to paint. Everyone works differently and maybe i just have my views because I have been using FL since about fruity 3 (i think).

Yeahh i see what your saying, i only came onto fl at 8, i like to see my patterns in front of me and be able to follow them.

antics wrote:The blocks at the bottom half is rooted in older versions of FL so long time users are more accustomed to them, I'm slowly moving towards using the top half now, but both have their uses, and it really doesn't make any difference to your sound or workflow, it's just personal preference.

^^ This



I switched from blocks to MIDI pattern display when I upgrade to FL8 and now it's just second nature.

At the end of the day, it's whatever you're used to.

I only use the upper half, because I like how you have everything (patterns, automations, etc.) going on in a nice overview.

They are getting rid of the old style blocks last I read, in FL 10?
Dunno, but that would be a bad choice if they did as I know a few FL users who swear by them.

I used those blocks in earlier versions like 3.5 because there wasn't a choice. After I started using Cubase, I can't see myself using those blocks again. Too unorganized looking.

i'm gonna go against the flow here and admit that i only use the blocks. i don't even have the top part open. all my automation clips are their own pattern (ie blocks). i label everything clearly, so i know exactly what every block represents. i don't need to see a whole bunch of midi everywhere, i wrote the shit, i know what's in the pattern.

but then that's just me.

Recessive Trait wrote:i'm gonna go against the flow here and admit that i only use the blocks. i don't even have the top part open. all my automation clips are their own pattern (ie blocks). i label everything clearly, so i know exactly what every block represents. i don't need to see a whole bunch of midi everywhere, i wrote the shit, i know what's in the pattern.

but then that's just me.

You can switch the bottom view to the top one I think, just to make things easier. On the playlist go to playlist options, view, swap pannels.
I wouldn't be surprised if they have since removed that option though in the new version. They seemed to gradually be moving people over to the new playlist style. There's some FL users who refuse to upgrade because of that.

still rockin FL8 myself. don't see any reason to upgrade if i can do everything i want and more with it already. but i'm not a tech-savvy guy, so...

Top part is awesome because you can chop up patterns without actually splitting them

^ hmm that does sound pretty handy. i suppose i'll have to actually experiment with it some time.

Recessive Trait wrote:^ hmm that does sound pretty handy. i suppose i'll have to actually experiment with it some time.

It is. I used to feel the same way about using the bottom part (i wrote the music, i know what's inside anyways), but the fact that when you slice a pattern in the bottom part, it splits it into two patterns, pissed me off. Now I use the top exclusively.

I'm an old school fl uses and only use blocks. The only things that go at the top for me are automation and audio clips (vocals etc)

But yea. Blocks is going in fl 10 anyway

Thats bull, I love the blocks. Ive used fl since 2.7. Damit

pets bud wrote:Thats bull, I love the blocks. Ive used fl since 2.7. Damit

Yeah I started using it around 10 years ago. Even using other DAWs these days, certain things like techno just seem to be much more pleasant to program in the old FL block mode. That and the step sequencer really make it fun to use for techno I think. In Cubase I don't get the same inspiration with techno/4x4 stuff.

project midnight wrote:I'm an old school fl uses and only use blocks. The only things that go at the top for me are automation and audio clips (vocals etc)

But yea. Blocks is going in fl 10 anyway

And hence why I wont be updating.