Ableton vs FL Studio, Which one to buy?
Before moving on to what’s different, let’s talk about what’s common. Ableton and FL studio are DAWs capable of handling almost everything you throw at them. Both support multitrack recording, VSTs, MIDI, recording, and much more. While they might look similar they’re somewhat meant for different audiences. Following is a detailed comparison of Ableton vs FL Studio based on price, the subscription cycle, a support base, and of course ease of use. Let’s begin.
1. Ease of Use
I was an FL Studio user for its simplicity. It’s easy to pick, learn and master. It has a familiar interface right as you open it. Even if it’s not, there are plenty of resources available to get used to the interface.
It might be a really good option for someone using Windows as it gives the same sort of window in window UI. There is a small information box that tells the user details of every knob and option we click on. Ableton, on the other hand, greets with a really sober-looking interface but it doesn’t share the friendly stare that you’d expect. There is a bit of learning curve when it comes to actually being able to do things. So you might feel lost before getting to understand it. The session view is a bit more traditional, so it’s easier to start and record in a linear manner. Ableton also has a different approach, i.e, to put everything on one screen. It doesn’t share the belief that multiple windows make it better, like FL Studio. You’ve everything on the screen you’re looking at, the effects, the tracks, and the file folders. If you feel you’re struggling, believe me, you’re going through the learning curve here. This might help. Winner: Draw
2. Community Presence
Ableton and FL Studio both have a strong user base. You can also find a considerable amount of resources to learn and tweak either one of them. With Ableton, you can get tutored by a pool of certified trainers listed on its website. For someone looking for a tutor to brush up skills, simply select your country, and state to get a list of tutors. Not that FL Studio doesn’t have intensive lessons. It has a directory of helpful articles and lessons both by Image-Line (official developer). Ableton also adds icing to the cake with the option to create a User Group. It’s basically a community that is local and can physically meet, learn, discuss, and collaborates. A great way to gain knowledge from fellow experienced performing artists. Winner: Ableton
3. Hardware Support
While Ableton supports an array of Midi controllers, it has its own versatile offering, Ableton Push. Now one can argue about the actual usability but the integration of the software with Ableton Push is seamless. In terms of functionality, it gives the advantage to sequence beats, chords and handles automation with ease. It can be a replacement for Midi controllers for professionals and beginners alike by giving the option to play chords, notes, and display of scale with back-lit pads, making it really easy not to miss the right note. It’s also velocity-sensitive eliminating the requirement of a separate “drum machine”. Launching samples, slicing, and manipulating audio is fairly easy with Ableton’s integration. So you have the ability to control and customize everything from the PUSH unit. Another important point to consider is Ableton’s integration with third-party MIDI controllers which already come with Key-mapping and are configured with the software. Making it a hassle-free set-up for most. Check more customer reviews here. FL Studio on the other hand has no support or a proprietary device that one can couple with the software. So you’ll have to look for other third-party hardware to use along. If you are low on budget, both the DAWs allow you to use your keyboard as a MIDI input. Winner: Ableton
4. Platform Support
Here’s a major difference, Ableton is one license per user up to two systems. So if you purchase Ableton, you won’t be able to use it on multiple platforms or more than two systems. On the other hand, you can install FL Studio once bought on any number of devices regardless of the platform. Of course, you can argue that it increases the problem of sharing the activation code with friends. Abusing this might sound easy, but FL Studio gives a fair warning.
FL studio has a lot to offer at least in this area. It’s one of the most used music production apps on mobile as well and also comes in handy when you’re not in a studio. Winner: FL Studio
5. Free Trial Features
Fl studio provides a trial version that is unlimited but one can’t open the saved project. It eliminates room for improvement on a project. Though it allows exporting in any format, the trial version still is far more functional than the paid Fruity version which restricts audio recording. Other important features like saving preset and cloning a channel are also disabled which might limit its ability, but it gives all plugins making it as feature-rich as the “ All bundle edition”. Ableton manages to provide a gun as well but without any magazine. It gives access to all features, basically “Ableton Suite” for 30 days. It’s also loaded with 13 instruments including Wave-table, Operator, Sampler, etc. But it doesn’t give the capability to export and save projects making every session a new one. Winner: Ableton (long term)
6. Price
Often buying software is an investment. Not just the money but the time and resources involved to learn and master it over a period of time. Hence investing, learning, and sticking to software always has a learning curve making this a crucial point. Ableton Live has three versions offering a wide range of features according to your requirements. It not only gives this but a stocked-up version of Ableton suite which comes at 749 USD as a trial for 30 days, with disabled saving and exporting options. Check out the detailed comparison of all the Ableton Live versions. FL Studio means lifetime updates. Though I wouldn’t suggest anyone getting the Fruity version if the audio recording is the aim. There is also a limitation of not being supported by MAC (32bit) and a few plugins missing for MAC. Winner: FL Studio
7. Distinct Features
Piano Roll I suppose is the most important part of a DAW especially if we aim to create a certain type of music, let’s say hip-hop or ambient. FL’s piano roll is simple. It makes it a child’s play even for someone who isn’t a musician with, in-menu scale selection and shadow chords display for getting the right notes. Ableton’s Piano roll barely seems to match FL’s, but it still gets the work done. Session View – Perfect for someone who wants to experiment with the music. It helps with a better interface for loops which is a major boost for musicians who go live often and are involved in the electronic or Hip-Hop genre.Capture – Imaging you’re randomly playing something but you haven’t hit record and you fear you won’t be able to play it exactly as you did now. Fret not. Capture lets you record as soon as you play it and later use it accordingly. This comes in handy in times of instant ideas or just forgetting to hit record. Either way, it’s a helpful feature. Winner: Ableton
FL Studio vs Ableton – Closing Words
So, FL Studio vs Ableton, which should you buy? Well, simply put, If you’re a beginner and your area of interest is beat-making and you don’t want hard-to-learn software, then FL Studio is an obvious option. It has all the capabilities with added lifetime support and a huge user base for any problems. But if the concern is mostly recording everything under the sun and playing live. Ableton comes over the top, With better hardware support in terms of MIDI controllers and its own Ableton PUSH, it’s more like an investment in both, at the same time. Session view is also a feature that sets it apart and makes it a go-to option for most musicians. Also Read: Best Music Players for Android
