If we set the multiplier knob to 50%, we’re only applying 50% of the global swing slider setting. When we turn the multiplier all the way up, we’re applying 100% of the global swing slider setting. The multiplier applies a percentage of the global swing to your selected channel. To get there, click the desired channel you’d like to change, and then click the wrench at the top left.
We can adjust the amount of swing applied to individual channels by using the fancy swing multiplier knob under miscellaneous channel functions. Since the FL Studio swing slider is a global setting, it will apply swing equally to all of your channels. How Can I Apply Swing to Individual Channels? With swing at 32%, it sounds groovier and more human, but 100% seems to be overdoing it a bit. The snares falling on even steps have been shifted forward while the kicks, hi hats, and claps remain uneffected since they fall on odd steps. Here is the same drum loop at 32% swing: Īnd one more time for the ladies at 100%: Īs you can hear, there is a huge difference in the feel of the drum loop. To fix this we can play with the swing slider a bit. This sounds like it was made by self-aware AI who’ve been out drinking. The swing slider is positioned all the way to the left, meaning there is 0% swing applied. In the Step Sequencer above, I’ve programmed a drum loop from default samples that load when first opening FL Studio. 0% swing is applied when the swing slider is far left, and 100% swing is applied when the swing slider is far right. If we call the far left sixteenth note #1, the swing slider takes every programmed sample falling on even sixteenth notes (#2, #4, #6, #8, #10, #12, #14, #16) and moves them closer to their following odd sixteenth notes (#1, #3, #5, #7, #9, #11, #13, #15). In the Step Sequencer, each button or slot is a sixteenth note. It removes the unrealistic sounding mechanical perfection that can only be replicated by a computer. This swing slider gives the drums a more groovy, human feel. On the Channel rack and Step Sequencer panel in FL Studio, you’ll see a slider at the top right labeled “swing” as shown below.
In this tutorial, we’ll look at a quick use case for the feature when mixing house drums. This is where using the FL Studio swing slider can come in handy. The imperfection of mankind makes some hits sound slightly off by just enough to make it sound better.