How to Record Audio into FL Studio

A step-by-step guide to recording live audio, such as vocals or instruments, directly into FL Studio.

Recording & Audio · intermediate level

Steps

  1. Configure Audio Settings

    Go to 'Options' > 'Audio Settings'. Ensure your audio interface is selected under 'Device'. Check 'Input' to see your available inputs. If you don't see them, you might need to enable them in your audio interface's control panel.

  2. Route Input to a Mixer Track

    Open the Mixer (F9). Select an empty mixer insert. In the 'IN' section at the top of the mixer track, click the dropdown and choose your audio interface's input channel where your microphone or instrument is connected. Ensure the 'disk' icon (Recording Arm) is enabled.

  3. Arm for Recording

    At the bottom of the mixer track, click the 'Arm recording' button (a small red circle). You should see input signal on the meter if your device is sending audio. If monitoring, enable the monitor button as well.

  4. Select Recording Destination

    In the Mixer, right-click the 'Arm recording' button. Choose 'Record to Playlist track (as an audio clip)' for direct recording, or 'Record into Edison' to use the Edison live audio editor for more control.

  5. Start Recording

    In the transport panel at the top, click the 'Record' button (red circle). A dialog will ask what to record; select 'Audio'. Click 'Play' (Spacebar) to start the project and begin recording.

  6. Stop Recording and Edit

    Click 'Stop' (Spacebar). Your recorded audio will appear as an audio clip in the Playlist. You can now trim, move, and edit it like any other audio sample.

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