Is The Free Trial of FL Studio Good?
Ever find yourself at your computer, ready to make some music but wondering if FL Studio is actually the right DAW for you?
I’ve been there, staring at that big blue “Download Trial” button, asking myself if this free trial is really worth the time. Can I actually get a good feel for the software in just 30 days?
In this article, I’ll cover everything you need to know about the FL Studio trial and tackle those lingering questions holding you back.
By the end, you’ll see just how much you can really explore during the trial.
So, let’s set aside the doubts and jump in!
How long does FL Studio free trial last?
The free trial version of FL Studio gives you a full 30 days to try out the DAW, which is plenty of time to see if it’s the right fit for you.
During those 30 days, you can check out all the features and really get a sense of the workflow.
Compared to other DAWs that only offer 7- or 14-day trials, FL Studio definitely gives you a fair chance to explore everything it has to offer.
See Also: Ableton Live vs FL Studio: Which Daw Is Better For Music Production?
Features of the free trial of FL Studio
With the free trial, you can do basically everything a paid user can do except save and reopen projects.
You get full access to the arrange window, step sequencer, piano roll, samples, VST instruments and effects, and more.
You can compose full songs, add loops, record audio, arrange patterns – essentially your entire creative process. The only limitations are that you can’t save projects to reopen later.
But it’s a great way to learn the interface, try out features, and get familiar with the workflow before making a purchase.
See Also: How to Make FL Studio Sound Professional in 2023: A Simple Guide
What’s included in FL Studio Trial:
Feature | Included in Trial? |
---|---|
Arranger/Song View | Yes |
Step Sequencer | Yes |
Piano Roll | Yes |
Sample Editor | Yes |
Sampler/DirectWave | Yes |
Synth Plugins | Yes |
Effects Plugins | Yes |
Recording Audio | Yes |
Mixer/Send Tracks | Yes |
Project Saving | No* |
*You can work on projects but not save to reopen later once the trial expires.
Using Plugins With The Trial
Yes, the free trial lets you use all VST instruments and effects plugins that are on your system.
This includes the plugins that come with FL Studio as well as any third-party VSTs you’ve got installed.
You can load up Sylenth1, Massive, Serum—whatever’s in your library—and work them into your beats and melodies.
It’s a solid perk, especially compared to some DAW trials that only give you access to basic built-in plugins.
See Also: Is FL Studio Used In Professional Studios?
Reasons FL Studio is in trial mode
There are a few reasons your FL Studio installation may remain in trial mode even after 30 days:
- You’re using an older version – FL Studio updates their trials occasionally so older releases may not have the full 30 days.
- You changed your system clock – The trial period is based on your computer’s clock. Rolling it back can trick FL into thinking less time has passed.
- You’re not logged into the online authorization – FL Studio trials need to periodically ping Image-Line servers for authorization. No internet means it can’t verify.
- Image-Line deactivated your trial – They monitor for abusive behaviors like trial looping. Repeated reinstalls will get your computer blacklisted.
If none of those help, contact Image-Line support. They’re usually pretty good about resolving any trial issues.
Limitations of FL Studio demo
The main limitation is that you cannot save projects in the FL Studio demo. While you can record and arrange full songs, if you close the project or FL Studio it will be lost and cannot be reopened.
Some other minor limitations include:
- Rendered audio is cut off at 30 seconds
- Export functionality is disabled
- No access to online help or forums
- No third-party plugins browser
See Also: Can You Run FL Studio on a Macbook Air in 2023? (6 Things to Check)
Recording audio on FL Studio demo
You definitely have full audio recording capabilities even in the demo! You can record virtual instruments, microphone audio, or line-in just like the paid version of FL Studio.
The process for setting up an audio track and recording is the same between the demo and full software.
Just add an audio track, select your input, hit record, and you’re good to go.
This is super helpful as it allows you to get real instruments and vocals down as you’re making beats and testing out the software.
Note!
The only catch is if you close the project without saving, that audio will be lost like the rest of the project. But it’s still a great way to try recording during the trial period.
We hope this gives you a better idea about what you can do with the FL Studio trial and helps answer any questions!
The free trial is a fantastic way to see if the workflow and features are a good fit before purchasing.
See Also: Ableton Live vs FL Studio: Which Daw Is Better For Music Production?
Conclusion
As we wrap up, the free trial version of FL Studio definitely gives producers ample opportunity to decide if it’s the right DAW choice for their workflow and music production needs.
Even though saving projects isn’t an option, that shouldn’t stop you from diving into everything FL Studio offers during those 30 days.
If, by the end, you’re feeling inspired and have put together tracks you’re excited about, that’s a good sign the full version might be a solid investment.
And if it doesn’t quite click, no worries—the trial will simply expire. Either way, it’s a thorough way to decide if FL Studio is the right DAW for you.
Sources:
https://www.image-line.com/fl-studio-news/fl-studio-21-released/
https://www.quora.com/What-features-come-with-the-FL-Studio-demo-how-does-it-compare-to-the-full-version-and-is-it-really-worth-it
https://www.musicradar.com/news/getting-started-with-fl-studio