In the previous article, we learned about using the advanced tool in Fl Studio piano roll, preview the guide here if you haven't read it.
In this tutorial, we will explore the riff machine tool in Fl Studio to create an exciting melody.
What Is Riff Machine?
The riff machine is designed to more of an inspiration starter than an actual melody designer. I love this tool because it makes me start out with a new random melody.
There are great tools in the riff machine that are designed to guide through the process. It is good for starting out a new melody, guitars, creating drum rolls and arpeggiator.
Loading The Synth
I will assume using a synth in this guide to create a melody with the riff machine.
So, load up your instrument, am using Sytrus for this article, you don't know how to load up an instrument - Use this guide - Vst Plugins: 3 Steps to add Vst Instruments/effects Into Fl Studio 12
I would be using sytrus
Accessing Riff Machine Tool
Right-click on the instrument you intend using, open piano roll. To access the riff machine tool in Fl Studio, mouse over to the piano roll option, scroll down to tools, and then clicking on Riff Machine will load up the riff machine or just by using shortcut Alt+E will load up the riff machine tool instantly.
Right click on the instrument you wanna use and select piano roll
use Alt+E to load up the riff machine tool
You will notice rapid notes, this is how it sounds:
Let's adjust some setting to start creating a basic riff.
Select the chop button, scroll down and select Notes, I am selecting Basic 6.
Using the chop button will change things like the length, velocity and more.
Using the Throw dice option will randomize the melody for you.
This is how it sounds:
Using Advanced Option In RIff Machine
There are some other options that take you through the entire process of creating a full professional melody such as Chord, Arp and more as you can see in the option below:
other options for creating a more advanced melody
To use the Chord option, select the Chord and I'll be selecting another pattern such as six notes in one, and clicking on throwing the dice will randomize another melody for you.
This option will create even a great melody that would sound interesting, this is a great way of starting with the piano roll, and its a great way of inspiring yourself to start a new track.
Accepting Generated Notes In To Piano Roll
Clicking Accept will then accept the riff pattern or melody that you have generated.
Accept the melody created by the riff machine into your piano roll
Articulation Tool
Another tool that will enhance your melody is the articulation tool, it simply lets you alter note lengths to create interest in the melody pattern.
This is how it sounds: You would notice a longer note
The tool is better used when you have recorded in a melody and want to ensure that it lines up accurately e.g MIDI keyboard, or other MIDI equipment.
Now that you've understood how the tool works, the next step is experimenting it further to create a further interesting melody.
Have a nice day!