This is the FL Studio version of how to chop a sample. The ideas are the same in every DAW; here's where to click in FL.
Step 1: Load Slicex
Add a new instance of Slicex to the Channel Rack, then drag your sample into it. Slicex analyzes the audio and places slice markers automatically.
Step 2: Check the slices
Auto-detection is a starting point. Zoom in and check that each slice starts right on a transient: the start of a chord, a hit or a phrase.
- Move markers where they're slightly off.
- Delete markers where it has cut too much. Longer chops are often more musical.
- Add markers where you want a chop it didn't find.
Step 3: Send slices to the piano roll
Use "Dump score to piano roll" to send the slices to FL's Piano Roll as notes, in their original order. Playing it back recreates the original sample.
Step 4: Rearrange
Now the fun part. In the piano roll:
- Move notes in time to reorder your chops.
- Move notes up or down to pitch individual chops by semitones.
- Delete, repeat and shorten notes to build a new pattern.
Or skip the dump and play slices straight from your MIDI controller, recording the performance instead.
Step 5: Clean up
- Add a short fade in and out to slices that click.
- Use Slicex's per-slice settings to adjust volume or pitch where needed.
- Filter the low end of the sample so your drums and bass have space.
Other ways to chop in FL
- FPC: drag chops onto pads if you want an MPC-style workflow.
- Edison: edit and slice audio precisely before loading it into a sampler.
- Audio clips in the playlist: for simple arrangement chops, slicing audio clips directly is quick.
