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Edison Plugin Function on FL Studio (5 Jan 2018)

January 04, 2018
Edison is a fully integrated audio editing and recording tool. Edison loads into an effect slot (in any mixer track) and will then record or play audio from that position. You may load as many instances of Edison as you require in any number of Mixer Tracks or Effects slots. To open Edison press (Ctrl + E) in a Sampler Channel, or load from the effects menu into mixer track/s.


Memory: Edison operates exclusively in RAM (memory) and is designed for working with samples or small songs, not recording hours of audio. With RAM in mind, edit functions can require 4x the original sample space, so we recommend limiting samples to a maximum of 500 Mb. If you don't heed this warning Edison may explode, injuring bystanders - don't say we didn't warn you! Editing operations that require sample processing convert the source sample/s into 32-Bit float and at the sample rate of the highest wave in any group processed. This means that processed wave files are unlikely to be in the same format as the source samples, although you can set the sample format after you have edited the sample (see the sample properties dialog). 

Opening Edison

There are a number of ways to load Edison, depending on your intended use, two recommended methods are:
  • Quick load for Editing - Select the target Mixer track then press (Ctrl+E). Edison will load in the first empty FX slot.
  • Quick load for Recording - Select the target Mixer track then press (Shift+E). Edison will load ready to record with 'Slave playback to host' and Record 'On play' enabled.
NOTE: Edison opens in the preview mixer track unless deliberately placed in an Effects slot.

Exporting Audio


Alternatives for exporting audio from Edison to FL Studio are:
  1. Send sample to Playlist - Left-click - Sends the selection (or whole sample if no selection is made) to the Playlist as an Audio Clip. Right-click - Replaces the currently selected Audio Clip or Sampler Channel with the sample/selection in Edison.
  2. Drag / copy sample / move selection - Left-click on the button and drag to the desired location. The selected region in the Sample Edit Window (or whole sample if no selection is made) will be copied and moved to any compatible location in FL Studio, e.g. Sampler channels, Fruity Slicer, DirectWave, the Playlist, etc. Right-click to copy the selection to the clipboard.
  3. Tools > Sequencing
    a) Send to Playlist as audio clip (Shift+C)- Dumps the selection to the Playlist as an Audio Clip. 
    b) Send to selected Channel - Dumps the selection to the selected Channel. 
  4. Save and load - Save the audio/selection to a file and re-import it through the Browser.
NOTE: If an audio clip contains a downbeat marker (set by the region tool), dropping it on the Playlist will auto-align it.  

Transport Controls

In the top-left section of the Edison window are several controls for the recording setup.
  • Loop - Turns on loop playback for selections and loop-points. Selections take precedence over loop-points. Hold (Ctrl + Left-click) to place the play-head in the file without making a selection.
  • Play - Press to play/stop the sample playback. The space bar will also start/stop playback when Edison is the active window (focused).
  • Scrub - Left-click and hold the mouse button then move left or right to play (scrub) the sample under mouse control.
  • Stop - Stops playback and returns cursor to the beginning of the sample or selection. 

Recording Options

These options take effect when Record is selected from the Edison transport controls. Load Edison into one (or more) effects slot/s in any number of Mixer tracks and each instance will then record from that position. Alternatively it is possible to record directly into the Playlist.

  • Record button - Arm Edison for recording (turns red when armed).
  • Start recording selector:
    • Now - Audio recording begins when the option is selected. To stop recording, de-select record mode.
    • On input - Recording begins when an audio signal is received. To set the trigger level, Left-click on the Peak Meter and move the mouse up/down. NOTE: Edison uses a pre-record buffer so that transients will not be lost when a signal is received. In other words, you do not need to make a 'triggering' sound to guarantee early transients that may be below the trigger threshold.
    • Input - Recording automatically pauses during silence and resumes on audio input. To set the trigger level, Left-click on the Peak Meter and move the mouse up/down.
    • On play - Recording starts when playback is started from the main transport controls. 'On play' mode will also place accurate song start markers when Play starts/stops or the Playlist loops back to the start of the song. This is useful for recording multiple takes so that you can easily select the region/s you wish to export to wave files and include in your song.
  • Duration selector (For):
    • Minutes - 1 to 60 Minutes.
    • File size - 50 MB to 1 GB.
    • Ever - Forever means until you run out of memory (no refund loopholes for you!).
  • Append - Appends new recordings to existing data.
NOTES:
  1. Recording duration - When the time is exceeded, Edison will wrap and overwrite the previously recorded sample. The Minute/MB settings are useful for continuous background recording so that you don't miss stellar performances while jamming. However, be aware that recordings longer than 5 minutes use progressively more CPU during the wrap phase, slowing the user interface considerably.
  2. Recording level - Audio is passed to Edison pre-fader of the track it is loaded on. This means changing Edison's mixer track fader level does not affect recording level.
  3. Recording input - Edison records audio from the effect slot position that it is loaded on. This provides flexibility for recording wet and/or dry signals. For example, place an instance of Edison before and after any effects in the mixer chain and obtain both dry and wet recordings of the audio entering the mixer track. Don't forget to disable the mixer track effects following Edison if you need to listen to the recordings without the effects that are (still) being added by the mixer track.
  4. Bit-depth - Edison does not perform any analog to digital conversions when recording. It receives a pre-digitized audio stream from the sound-card/audio interface or FL Studio and converts it to 32-bit float format. This conversion is lossless and will fully preserve the quality of any input bit-depth (16 or 24 bit). Recording bit-depth is usually set in the soundcard, driver or Windows options (consult your owners manual).
  5. Memory - Edison operates exclusively in RAM (memory) and so is designed for working on samples or small songs, not recording hours of audio. With RAM in mind, edit functions can require 4X the original sample space, so we recommend limiting samples to approximately 1/4 of free memory. If you don't heed this warning your PC may explode, injuring bystanders, don't say we didn't warn you.
  6. Editing - These operations that require sample processing convert the source sample/s into 32-Bit float and at the samplerate of the highest wave in any group processed. This means that processed wave files are unlikely to be in the same format as the source samples, although you can set the sample format after you have edited the sample (as described below).

File

  • Open/Save options
    • New - Opens a new (empty) editor window.
    • Load sample (Ctrl+O) - Opens a file browser dialog in 'load' mode.
    • Save sample as (Ctrl+S) - Opens a file browser dialog in 'save' mode. The pop-up dialog has two options under the 'Save as type' field.
      • Microsoft wave file (*.wav) - Standard lossless .wav file at the bit-depth and sample rate set in the Sample Properties dialog.
      • Microsoft compressed wave file (*.wav) - Lossy compression formats. After initiating the save a second dialog opens to save the sample in one of many compressed formats. MS compressed wave files simply wrap the selected compression type in a *.wav file, and put information in the wave header as to what decompression method the opening program should use (not all programs read this information). FL Studio will load and decompress MS compressed wave files automatically as long as you have the appropriate codec installed.
      • WavPack (*.wv) - Lossless or lossy, depending on settings, open-source compression (see the WavPack website for more details). After initiating save in this format you will be prompted for a bit-depth (lossless is the default, other settings are lossy compression modes). In 'lossless' mode expect between 30-70% reduction in file sizes, useful for archiving purposes. FL Studio will load and decompress WavPack files automatically.
      • MPEG 3 audio file (*.mp3) - Mp3 is a Lossy compression format. It has gained world-wide popularity because it was one of the first on the market that provided good quality lossy compression. After initiating a save a second dialog opens to select the quality (bit-rate), this controls the tradeoff between audio quality and file size. Good listening quality on portable devices starts at about 160 kbps, use 224 kbps or 320 (max) if you want something probably indistinguishable from CD quality.
      • Ogg Vorbis (*.ogg) - Lossy, open source compression format, similar in concept to mp3 (see the Vorbis or Ogg Wikipedia website for more details). After initiating a save a second dialog opens to select the quality (bit-rate), this controls the tradeoff between audio quality and file size. Use a setting of 0.50 or more if you want good quality. FL Studio will load and decompress *.ogg files automatically.
      • FLAC audio file (*.flac) - FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) is similar to WAV format in retaining all audio information in the encoded waveform. However, FLAC is useful as it also compresses (reduces) the file size significantly. Usually between 10 and 20% the size of the equivalent WAV file. This is not audio-level compression, it's file-size compression, similar to .zip etc.
      NOTE: Do not use any of the lossy formats (Microsoft compressed wave file, MPEG 3 or Ogg Vorbis) to archive project samples or loops. Use Microsoft wave files or WavPack in lossless compression mode if you want to save space. Hard disk space is cheap, samples may be irreplaceable.
    • Export regions - Both 'region markers' and/or consecutive 'location markers' will be treated as defining regions during 'Export regions'. A 'Marker' is a position flag, with an optional name, description and middle note. A 'Region' is a marker plus an end point. Right-click markers (tag at the top of the marker) to set a name, trigger note etc.
      • For common use - Exports any regions as clean wave files. The names of the markers at the start of each region are used to create the file names.
      • For sampler use - Exports any regions as wave files including 'middle note' data. Where set, the names of the markers at the start of each region are used as file names.
    • Export display as - Exports the wave display as a .png or .jpg image.
  • Settings - Opens a transport and MIDI settings dialog.
    • Piano keyboard preview - While Edison is focused notes will be trapped and not passed onto the currently selected channel.
      • Link key to - Note preview (plays the whole sample), Slice preview (plays slices), Auto (plays slices or the whole sample depending on the note range and the presence of slices).
    • Slave playback to host - Determines how Edison responds to host Playlist selections.
      • Ignore host selection - Edison will play back the equivalent region (based on time), as selected in the host. For example, if you record your whole song into Edison you can select a part of the song in FL Studio and Edison will play the same selected part.
      • Ignore own selection - The region selected in Edison controls the region (based on time) of the Playlist played.
  • Recent projects - Lists the 10 most recently opened projects. 

 Format

  • Edit properties (F2) - Opens the Sample Properties dialog where you can set the file properties.
  • Resolution
    • 16-Bit int - Sets the file to 16-Bit integer format. This is CD audio standard.
    • 32-Bit float - Sets the file to 32-Bit floating point format. This is the native format for FL Studio audio processing.
  • Channels
    • Mono - Sets the file to Mono.
    • Stereo - Sets the file to Stereo. Mono files will be saved with L and R channels containing the same data. 

Edit

Many of the actions in this menu work on a selected region. To select a region, Left-click in the sample window and drag horizontally. To move the start point, Left-click near the start of the region and drag to a new point. To move the end point, Left-click near the end of the region and drag to a new point. At any time you can zoom the window using the mouse-wheel.
  • Undo (item) (Ctrl+Z) - The first item in this menu indicates the last action performed.
  • Undo history - Displays the last 10 actions.
  • Undo using mix (envelope) - Uses the All-Purpose envelope to guide the undo process. A number of options will be shown based on the actions recently made.
  • Undo using mix (spectral) - Uses the All-Purpose envelope to apply the EQ curve set in the EQ tool. Apply an EQ, tweak the all-purpose envelope, use the 'Undo mix envelope' option.
  • Disable undo for large samples - Turns off the undo feature. This is useful for saving memory and CPU when working on very large samples.
  • Cut (Ctrl+X) - Cuts the selected region.
  • Copy (Ctrl+C) - Copies the selected region.
  • Paste insert (Ctrl+V) - Inserts the copied sample at the start of the selected region.
  • Paste replace (Alt+V) - Replaces the selected region with the copied sample. The duration of the copied sample determines how much of the region will be replaced.
  • Paste mix (Shift+V) - Mixes the copied sample with the selected region. The duration of the copied sample determines how much of the region will be mixed.
  • Paste mix (envelope) (Shift+Ctrl+V) - Uses the All-Purpose envelope to decide how the sample in the clipboard buffer is mixed with the sample in the editor. The envelope controls the mix level (0 to 100%). The duration of the copied sample determines how much of the region will be mixed.
  • Paste mix (spectral) (Ctrl+Alt+V) - Paste-mixes the sample from the clipboard into the edit window according to the EQ curve set in the EQ tool. Apply an EQ, use the 'Paste mix (spectral) option.
  • Paste stretch (Shift+Ctrl+T) - Pastes the copied sample via the Time Stretch / Pitch Shift Tool.
  • Paste replace (drum) (Shift+T) - Opens the Paste replace drum tool. This tool reconstructs the decay portions of drum beats that may have been cropped during the slicing process and replaces the selection to the original location.
  • Clear (Shift+Del) - Clears the selected region, leaving the rest of the sample unchanged. Consider this a mute function.
  • Delete (Del) - Deletes the selected region. This function will change the overall length of the sample.
  • Trim (Ctrl+Del) - Deletes the region outside the selection.
  • Delete part after loop ( Alt+Del) - Deletes sample data after the loop end point.
  • Insert silence (Ins) - Inserts silence from the region start point of a length equal to the selected region.
  • Click-free (smooth) editing (C) - Switch, prevents audio clicks/pops in samples caused by edit functions. This option avoids the clicks caused by discontinuities in the sample amplitude at cut/splice points by fading, or crossfading, edit points by a few samples. 

Tools

  • Envelope
    • Cancel all envelopes (Alt+E) - Cancels all envelopes.
    • Add points at selection (P) - Automatically adds points at the start, middle and end of a selected region for the currently selected envelope type 'Envelope Selector'.
    • Add points at regions - Adds control points at the boundary of the selected region and/or where region markers are located.
    • Flip vertically - Inverts the envelope points.
  • Amp
    • Mixdown amp envelopes (Ctrl+E) - Applies custom envelope/s to the sound.
    • Amp (Alt+A) - Opens the Amplitude Tool that allows you to modify L/R channel volume, Panning and Stereo Separation.
    • Reverse polarity - Inverts the phase of the waveform.
    • Normalize (Ctrl+N) - increases the amplitude of the waveform so that the loudest sample is at 100% maximum possible level. The process works by determining the multiplication factor that will make the loudest sample reach 100%, then multiplies all samples by this value, rescaling them.
    • Lossy normalize - Similar to the standard Normalize, the amplitude of the waveform is increased so that the loudest sample is at 100% maximum possible level. There is an additional manipulation of the waveform phase that can sometimes tease out a few more dB gain. The process is considered 'lossy' as it changes the waveform phase, although it should sound identical to the standard Normalization.
    • Fade in (Ctrl+F) - Ramps up the volume from 0% to 100% using a logarithmic curve. If a region is selected the fade function will apply to that, if not, the entire sample will fade in.
    • Fade out (Alt+F) - Ramps down the volume from 100% to 0% using a logarithmic curve. If a region is selected the fade function will apply to that, if not, the entire sample will fade out.
    • Declick in - Smooths clicks at the beginning of a selection.
    • Declick out - Smooths clicks at the end of a selection.
  • Waveform
    • Center - Removes DC offset. The average amplitude of the waveform is shifted to be at the zero crossing.
  • Time
    • Reverse (Alt+Left) - Reverses the entire wave or selection.
    • Time stretch / pitch shift (Alt+T) - Opens the Time Stretch / Pitch Shift Tool to independently manipulate pitch, time and formants.
    • Drum(loop) stretch (Ctrl+T) - Opens the Drum (loop) stretch tool, which restores decay portions of drum beats that may have been cropped during the slicing process.
    • Claw machine (Alt+W) - Opens the Claw machine tool, that works on a tempo-sliced sample, removing beats, adding beats and/or shifting beats to create interesting new rhythms. NOTE: The sample must have a tempo set (or beatmarkers set) for the option to be available.
    • Scratch (envelope) - Uses the All-Purpose Envelope to apply 'scratching' effects to the sample, i.e. automate the playback direction and speed.
  • Channels
    • Swap channels - Swaps the left and right channels.
    • Convert left channel to mono - Converts the sample to a mono file based on the left channel.
    • Convert right channel to mono - Converts the sample to a mono file based on the right channel.
    • Convert mono signal to mono format - Converts the file to a mono format if both left and right channels are equal.
  • Synthesis
    • Generate noise - Generates white noise in the selected region or whole sample if a region is not selected.
  • Scripting
    • Run script - Opens a menu containing the list of available scripts. You can write your own scripts using Visual Basic or Pascal, which will be compiled by the paxCompiler and run when you select the script from the menu. The paxCompiler is a true Pascal compiler that allows you to write code to perform complex DSP on your samples. Save scripts - as .pas files in the FL Studio installation directory under ..\Plugins\Fruity\Effects\Edison\Data\Scripts. Files saved here will be visible the next time you use the 'run script' command. Dialogs - Note that while some of the demo scripts show a dialog, it isn't necessary to use them. Errors - If a script has an error, a dialog is shown explaining the error with options to 'edit' the script or 'run' it again. Writing scripts - Examine the contents of the existing scripts and read the Reference.txt file in the script directory to learn more about writing them and the functions available. You can learn more about Pascal HERE.
    • Run last script - Repeats the last script run.
  • Noise
    • Acquire noise threshold (Alt+N) - Uses the peak of the selection as the noise/gate threshold. To use: select a region of the sample containing only noise and click this button.
    • Gate noise - Forces the sections of the sample below the noise threshold (shown in green) to silence.
    • Trim side noise - Trims any parts of the sample that are below the threshold volume. Set gate threshold - Left-click the peak meter and move the mouse up/down to change the threshold. A green band will display (as shown in the Edison screen shot above) in the sample view window.
    • Trim all noise & slice up - Trims any parts of the sample that are below the threshold volume and slices the regions defined by the resulting gaps. Set gate threshold - Left-click the peak meter and move the mouse up/down to change the threshold. A green band will display (as shown in the Edison screen shot above) in the sample view window.
  • Spectral
    • Convolution reverb (Ctrl+R) - Opens the Convolution/Reverb Tool.
    • Blur (Ctrl+B) - Opens the Blur Tool.
    • Equalize (Ctrl+Q) - Opens the Equalize Tool.
    • Clean up (denoise) (Ctrl+U) - Opens the Noise Removal Tool.
  • Regions
    • Normalize all regions - Normalizes the amplitude on a per-region basis. Normalization increases the volume of the waveform so that the loudest sample is at 100% of the available amplitude.
    • Declick in all regions - Remove clicks from the start of regions (works by creating a very fast fade-in).
    • Declick out all regions - Remove clicks from the end of regions (works by creating a very fast fade-out).
    • Perfect all regions - Declicks the start and end of all regions (as described above).
    • Tune loop (Ctrl+L)- Opens the Tune Loop Tool dialog that allows you access to the main loop controls for a region.
  • Analysis
    • Convert to score and dump to piano roll - Slices the sample, pitch-detects each slice and creates a note-score to match, dumping it to the Piano roll of the currently selected Channel. See also: Newtone
  • Sequencing
    • Send to Playlist as audio clip (Shift+C) - Dumps the selection to the Playlist as an Audio Clip.
    • Send to selected channel - Dumps the selection to the selected Channel. NOTE: An alternative method for exporting audio is to use the  Drag / copy sample / move selection button on the Sample Edit Functions shortcut toolbar.       

Regions

  • Regions
    • Add region (Alt+M) - Adds region start and end markers at the boundaries of the defined region.
    • Add marker (M) - Adds a single marker at the start of the selected region. This can be dragged to a new position by the square handle at the top of the marker.
    • Set loop (Alt+L) - Defines the selected region as a loop. Special red loop markers will appear.
    • Set first downbeat - Adds a Downbeat marker at the start of the selected region. The marker is used to align Audio Clips to the Playlist grid. The marker can be dragged to a new position by the square handle at the top of the marker. Quick method:
      • Manual Downbeat & Grid alignment - Right-Ctrl + Right-Shift + Click on the location in the sample where the first downbeat marker is to be set, hold and drag horizontally to fine-tune the position if needed. Then, release the mouse button and click again with the Right-Ctrl + Right-Shift keys still held (drag left/right) to adjust the grid spacing to align the grid to the beat.
    • Delete (Shift+Ctrl+Del) - Deletes the selected region, loop or marker.
    • Rename all (Ctrl+F2) - Steps through the regions in the editor allowing them to be named.
    • Quick rename all (Alt+F2)- Steps through the regions in the editor providing quick name options, allowing all regions to be named.
    • Auto rename all - Automatically renames all regions based on an audio analysis of the waveforms. This function is designed to work with percussion sounds and works best when there are clearly distinct hits.
    • Assign trigger notes to all - Automatically steps through the regions/slices allowing you to assign trigger notes to each region. Trigger notes are the MIDI note numbers that will plat the specific region.
    • Assign to all - Choose to automatically assign regions to: Whole Keyboard, White Notes, Black Notes or None.
  • Detection
    • Auto slice
      • Dull auto-slicing - Fewer slices/regions.
      • Medium auto-slicing (Alt+S) - Average slices/regions.
      • Sharp auto-slicing - Many slices/regions.
      • Small grid-slicing - Slices the sample according to the small grid lines.
      • Medium grid-slicing - Slices the sample according to the medium grid lines.
      • Large grid-slicing - Slices the sample according to the large grid lines.
    • Detect beats - Detects beats and slices according to regions assigning downbeat and regular beat markers.
    • Detect pitch regions - Detects and slices according to regions of constant pitch.
    • Zero-cross check all regions - Moves the region markers to the nearest zero-crossing. Removes clicks at the start and end of the regions.
    • Freeze all (switch) - Prevents region editing. 

View

  • Audio
    • Spectrum (S) - Selects spectrum view. This display mode shows time on the horizontal axis and frequency on the vertical axis. Brighter or more saturated colors (depending on the spectrum gradient options) represent louder frequencies.
    • Dual view - Shows both the spectrum and waveform views superimposed.
    • Display settings - Change the appearance of the spectrum display mode.
      • Fancy mode - Smoothed waveform view.
      • Waveform channels - Note that in stereo mode L and R channels are superimposed with slightly different colors (zoom to view more clearly).
        • Mono - Display a single (L/R averaged) waveform.
        • Multichannel - Display all channels (superimposed).
        • Left - Display Left channel.
        • Right - Display Right channel.
      • Spectrum precision - 32, to 8192 bands. This is the number of vertical slices the frequency domain is divided into, higher numbers provide more detailed analysis. Resize Edison to obtain an overall larger view.
      • Natural scale - Sets the vertical scale to reflect the musical 'octave' relationship of frequencies (a logarithmic scale). This will stretch the lower frequencies to occupy a greater area and so is particularly useful when working with frequencies below 500 Hz.
      • Natural weighting - Sets the color intensity gradient to better represent the way we hear frequencies. Specifically, it changes the brightness weighting from white noise, a linear relationship between frequency and display brightness to pink noise. Pink noise decreases the intensity by 3dB/Octave, making it more suitable for musical uses as the higher frequencies no longer dominate the spectral display brightness, which is closer to how we hear those same frequencies.
      • Enhanced Frequency/Time - These options improve the visibility of details particularly at lower frequencies. These options work well with a spectrum precison of 1024.
      • Draft - Less visibility of details in favor of quicker graphics responsiveness.
      • Spectrum gradient - 12 dB steps, Charcoal, Furnace, Deeper furnace, Glacier, Temperature, The Matrix. Choose the theme that reveals the most detail in the sound or that appeals to you.
  • Regions
    • Regions - Turns region markers on/off.
    • Loop - Turns loop markers on/off.
  • Time
    • Time in samples - Displays the time-base in samples. This information is displayed to the bottom left of the peak meter. Right-clicking the time display opens a context menu showing -
      • Deselect (Up arrow) - Deselects the current selection.
      • Select before current selection - Selects the area before the current selection.
      • Select after current selection - Selects the area after the current selection.
      • Select zoomed part (Ctrl+A) - Selects the region defined by the visible sample.
      • Select previous region (Left arrow) - Selects the previous region.
      • Select next region (Right arrow) - Selects the next region.
  • Misc
    • Scroller above - Places the Zoom / Scroll bar X above the sample.
    • Background gradient - Applies a 3D background effect to the sample edit window 

Snap

  • Snap to grid (1) - Envelope points and selections snap to the background grid.
  • Snap to regions (2) - Envelope points and selections snap to the region markers.
  • Snap to samples (3) - Envelope points and selections snap to samples.
  • Snap to zero-crossing (4) - Envelope points and selections snap to zero crossings. This is the point where the waveform crosses the 0 amplitude line and is useful to avoid clicks.
  • Snap to pitch period (5) - Envelope points and selections snap to the period of any pitch detected at the selection point. 

Select

  • Deselect (Up arrow) - Deselects the current selection.
  • Select before current selection - Selects the area before the current selection.
  • Select after current selection - Selects the area after the current selection.
  • Select zoomed part (Ctrl+A) - Selects the region defined by the visible sample.
  • Select previous region (Left arrow) - Selects the previous region.
  • Select next region (Right arrow) - Selects the next region.

Zoom

  • Zoom in 2x (PgUp) - Zooms in 2 times.
  • Zoom out 2x (PgDn) - Zooms out 2 times.
  • Zoom out full (Home) - Displays the full sample.
  • Zoom on selection (End) - Zooms the selection to fill the Sample Edit Window.
  • Zoom on left of selection (Ctrl+Left) - Centers the Sample Edit Window on the right edge of the selection at maximum zoom.
  • Zoom on right of selection (Ctrl+Right) - Centers the Sample Edit Window on the left edge of the selection at maximum zoom.

 Sample Edit Functions


  1. Undo/undo history - Left-click to undo the last action. Right-click to display the last 10 actions (Left-click the point in the history you wish to return to).
  2. Claw Machine - Opens the Claw Machine Tool that creates new rhythms based on the knowledge that less is more! 
  3.  Normalize/normalize regions - Left-click to normalize the current selection. Right-click to normalize on a per-region basis.
  4. Trim side noise/gate noise - Left-click to trim noise outside the selected region. Right-click to gate noise below threshold. 
  5. Fade in/declick in - Left-click to fade in. Right-click to smooth in (removes clicks). 
  6. Fade out/declick out - Left-click to fade out. Right-click to smooth out (removes clicks). 
  7. Run script - The Script Tool compiles and runs scripts written in Pascal or Visual Basic, to process the wave file. Right-click to use the Run last script option. See the Tools Menu (Scripting) 'Run Script' option (above) for more details.  
  8. Time stretch / paste stretch - Opens the Time Stretch / Pitch Shift Tool to independently manipulate pitch, time and formants.
  9. Convolution Reverb - Opens the Convolution Reverb Tool to apply reverb or convolution effects to the sample.
  10. Blur - Opens the Blur Tool to smooth/blend the sample data.
  11. Equalize - Opens the Equalize Tool to apply an EQ curve to the sample data.  
  12. Clean up (Denoise / Declip / Declick) - Opens the Noise Removal Tool to repair noisy, clipped or clicking samples.
  13. Add / remove marker / region - Left-click to add/remove a new marker at the start of the selected region. Right-click to add region markers bounding the selected region. Shift+Right-click on a marker to invoke temporary zoom for precise positioning. A 'Marker' is a position flag, with an optional name, description and middle note. A 'Region' is a marker plus an end point. Right-click markers (tag at the top of the marker) to set a name, trigger note etc. 
  14. Auto-slice - Auto-slices the sample.
  15. Tune loop.../set loop - Left-click opens the Tune Loop Tool to access to the loop smoothing controls. Right-click sets loop points bounding the current selection. 
  16. Save as.... / save as compressed... - Opens a save file dialog with the options of .wav and compressed .wav (ogg format).
  17. Drag / copy sample / move selection - Left-click and drag the button (yes the button) to the desired location. The selected region in the Sample Edit Window (or whole sample if no selection is made) will be copied and moved to any compatible location in FL Studio, e.g. Sampler channels, Fruity Slicer, DirectWave, the Playlist, etc. Right-click to copy the selection to the clipboard.
    NOTE: Other ways to export audio can be found under the Tools menu -  Tools > Sequencing
    a) Send to Playlist as audio clip (Shift+C) - Dumps the selection to the Playlist as an Audio Clip (see the button option below).
    b) Send to selected channel - Dumps the selection to the selected Channel. 

Send sample to Playlist - Left-click - Sends the selection (or whole sample if no selection is made) to the Playlist as an Audio Clip. Right-click - Replaces the currently selected Audio Clip or Sampler Channel with the sample/selection in Edison. 

Special Controls

There are a number of important and or less obvious controls, described below:


  • Slave transport - Slaves the Edison transport controls to the FL Studio transport panel.
  • Scrub - Left-click and hold the mouse button, and move left or right to play the sample under mouse control.
  • Recording duration - Set in time, file size or unlimited (forever - or until you run out of memory).
  • Mute input - When recording in Edison click here to mute/unmute the audio input.
  • Set threshold - Click and drag on the peak meter to set the threshold used with functions such as Trim side noise/gate noise.
  • Freeze editing - If this is selected you won't be able to edit or change any controls. Remember this as you will click it at some point and wonder why the fun has stopped.
  • Edit wave - Click this to bring the wave mode to the front for editing.
  • Auto scrolling - When the sample is zoomed this enables/disables the auto scrolling function.

Peak Meter

The peak meter has some special features.
  • Read value - Hover at the point of interest (peaks for example) to show the value in the Hint Bar.
  • Set gate threshold - Left-click and move the mouse up/down to change the threshold for noise gating functions. A green band will display (as shown above) in the Sample View Window. Parts of the wave that cross above or below the green band are trigger events. These level triggers are used for both the 'Recording on input' feature and the 'Trim/Gate' functions . 

Sample Edit Window

 Depending on the Envelope Selector and Feature Switch settings , you can edit the sample, set markers/loop-points, or apply envelopes to the sound. Generally Sample Edit Functions will only apply to the selected region of the sample in the Edit Window.

How to:

  • Maximize Edison - Click on Edison to focus it, then press enter on your keyboard.
  • Edit a sample - Make sure 'Waveform Edit Mode' 'Edit Sample' is selected.
  • Make a selection - Left-click and drag horizontally over the region to be selected. The selection will turn red.
  • Modify the start and end points of a selection - Left-click outside the selection and the start or end point will jump to the new location (depending if you click before or after the selection).
  • Select a region defined by markers - Hold (Ctrl) and Left-click on the square tag at the top of a region marker OR double-click on a region marker. A selected region will turn red.
  • Deselect selection / region - Press the (down-arrow) on your keyboard OR double-click outside the selection/selected region.
  • Cut/Copy - To Cut a selection press (Ctrl+X). To Copy a selection press (Ctrl+C). These functions can also be accessed from the Edit menu button.
  • Paste insert - First make a small selection (length does not matter) starting at the precise location where you want the paste insert to start and press (Ctrl+V). NOTE: The pasted data will be inserted from the start point of the selected region. All sample data after this point, including the selected region will be moved after the pasted data. This function can also be accessed from the Edit menu button.
  • Paste replace - First make a small selection starting at the precise location where you want the paste replace to start and press (Alt+V). NOTE: The pasted data will be inserted from the start point of the selected region over any sample data after this point, including the selected region. This function can also be accessed from the Edit menu button.
  • Drag & drop samples - You can drag samples from many locations and drop them on Edison to load them. Holding (Shift) while dragging and dropping a sample onto Edison will append the dragged sample to the end of the existing data. Holding (Alt) will replace the region. A slice marker with the original samples name will be added at the splice point.
  • Clear selection - Hold (Shift + Del) on your keyboard. The selection will be cleared without changing the sample length. This function can also be accessed from the Edit menu button.
  • Delete selected - Press the (Del) key on your keyboard. The selection will be deleted and the sample length reduced. This function can also be accessed from the Edit menu button.
  • Apply Envelopes (Pan/Volume/Stereo Separation) - Select the envelope type 'Envelope Selector' and Right-click to add points, Left-click to move points and tension markers. To apply the envelope/s press (Ctrl+E) or select Tools > Amp > Mixdown amp envelopes. The undo function can be used to reverse any unwanted changes.
  • Zoom - Hover over the window and scroll the mouse-wheel or Left-click an edge of the Zoom/Scroll Bar (a double-headed arrow will appear), then drag horizontally.
  • Horizontal Scroll - Hold the shift key and then scroll the mouse-wheel or Left-click in the middle of the highlighted section of the Zoom/Scroll Bar, then drag horizontally.
  • Zoom/Scroll - Click the mouse-wheel or middle mouse button and move up/down (zoom) and left/right (scroll).
  • Manual tempo setting using a selection - The manual tempo detection technique is to highlight a part of the audio that you know to be an exact # of beats, then the properties dialog (F2) will show 'Selection (beats)' instead of 'Length (beats)'. If 4 beats were highlighted (for example), enter 4, and the tempo of the song should be detected.
  • Manual grid/tempo alignment using downbeat - Right-Ctrl + Right-Shift + Click on the location in the sample where the first downbeat marker is to be set, hold and drag horizontally to fine-tune the position if needed. Then, release the mouse button and click again with the Right-Ctrl + Right-Shift keys still held (drag left/right) to adjust the grid spacing to align the grid to the beat. NOTE: Correct tempo/grid alignment assumes you have set the tempo AND Sync is selected in the Sample Properties. 

Waveform View

To swap between Waveform and Spectral view use the Display Mode switch. There is also a 'Dual view' option under the View Menu Button . 

Envelope Selector



  1. Waveform - To edit the waveform (usual select/cut/paste actions on the sample).
  2. Pan - To edit the Pan envelope. Top is Left, bottom is Right. 
  3. Volume - To edit the Volume envelope. Ranges from 0% (0 dB) bottom to 200% top (+ 6dB) 
  4. Stereo Separation - To edit the Stereo Separation envelope. Ranges from no change (middle), mono bottom and maximum stereo separation at the top. 
  5. All-purpose Envelope - Some tools in Edison can use the envelope as an input to their process. The horizontal axis represents time while the vertical axis is the modulation value, generally 0% is at the bottom to 100% at the top. Here are some examples how you can use the envelope:
    1. Paste mix (envelope) method - Use the envelope to modulate a paste action. Select the sample in Edison and then copy it. Apply an effect as desired to the whole sample. Tweak the all-purpose envelope (100% = original sound, 0% = effected sound), use the 'Paste mix (envelope)' option from the Edit menu. This will modulate between the original and effected version as per the enbelope.
    2. Undo using mix (envelope) method - Apply an effect, tweak the all-purpose envelope and use the 'Undo using mix (envelope)' option from the Edit menu.
    3. Scratching - Select 'Scratch using envelope' from the Tools menu. In scratching, the horizontal axis represents time while the vertical axis is the sample playback position from the sample start (bottom) to the sample end (top).
    Preview - As there is no 'live' preview for the 'All-purpose' envelope in Edison, you will need to process the wave to hear envelope changes. To hear your envelopes, select the 'Tools' option and then Mixdown envelope or (Ctrl+E) to process the wave. The undo function can be used to reverse any unwanted changes.
    Editing envelopes - After selecting the desired envelope type, Right-click in the 'Sample Editor Window' to add points, and Left-click to move points and tension markers. Right-click points to open a context menu that will allow you to delete points or change the curve type 

Feature Switches

These switches vary, depending on the Edit mode, from left to right:



  1. Auto scrolling - When the sample is zoomed this enables/disables the auto scrolling function.
  2. Display mode - Swap between waveform and spectrum display. Note there is a dual view option.  
  3. Noise Threshold. - Enables/disables the threshold display (green horizontal band). The level can be adjusted by Left-clicking on the Edison peak meter. 
  4. Regions - Enables/disables the region marker display. A region is defined by a pair of region markers.
  5. Freeze - Prevents any changes to the sample. Note the cursor is an X in freeze mode. Note how the cursor changes depending on whether you are in Freeze or Edit mode. In Freeze mode you won't be able to make any changes, only hover and read the sample amplitude and position values of the wave display in the main Hint Bar.

  6. Click free editing - Performs a short fade-in / fade-out on selected, cut & processed regions to reduce clicks. 
  7. Envelope draw mode - Allows you to draw freehand envelopes when in envelope mode. 
  8. Snap - Enables/disables snapping. This applies to envelopes and sample edit functions.
  9. Slide - Slides the selected control point (in envelopes), without affecting the relative positions of any following points. 

Zoom/Scroll Bar

The Zoom/ Scroll bar is useful when working on long sounds.
  • Zoom - Left-click the right or left edge of the highlighted section of the bar (a double-headed arrow will appear), then drag horizontally.
  • Scroll - Left-click in the middle of the highlighted section of the bar, then drag horizontally.
  • Zoom/Scroll - Click the mouse-wheel or middle mouse button and move up/down (zoom) and left/right (scroll). 

Time/Sample Display

The time display shows the time-base in either samples or seconds. To change between the two types, Left-click on the Sample Edit Window and select View > Time in samples. Some useful editing features can be accessed by Right-clicking on the number readout (Time/Samples above):
  • Deselect (Up arrow) - Deselects the current selection.
  • Select before current selection - Selects the area before the current selection.
  • Select after current selection - Selects the area after the current selection.
  • Select zoomed part (Ctrl+A) - Selects the region defined by the visible sample.
  • Select previous region (Left arrow) - Selects the previous region.
  • Select next region (Right arrow) - Selects the next region. 

Sample Properties (F2)

This area displays the sample properties including: Sample rate, Bit depth, Channel format, Tempo information and Title. Right-clicking this area or pressing F2 opens the Sample Properties dialog.


To open the Sample properties dialog

Select  Info > Edit properties OR press ( F2) with Edison focused.

Info

  • Title - Names the sample.
  • Comments - These comments will show in the sample properties.

Format

  • Sample rate (Hz) - Sets the sample rate.
  • Resample (switch) - Selecting this switch forces resampling of the sample data to the desired samplerate. If this switch is off the sample rate changes only the playback sample rate (speed) without modifying the data. For example, choose to either resample data to 22kHz (data reduction), or to play existing data at 22kHz (pitch-shift).
  • Format - Choose between 16-Bit integer & 32-Bit floating point formats. Mono or Stereo. NOTE: Edison automatically converts data to 32-Bit before applying any function that modifies the sample data. It is better to apply several edits in 32-Bit floating point, than convert to 16-Bit integer after each edit. 

Tempo

  • Tempo (BPM) - Sets the tempo in Beats Per Minute. If 'tempo-sync' is selected, setting a tempo here will cause FL Studio to stretch/pitch-shift the sample according to this value when loaded.
    • Round - Rounds the tempo (removes decimals).
    • Limit - Corrects any double/half tempo problems (range options appear when the button is selected).
  • Length (beats) / Selection (beats) - Enter the number of beats in the sample or selection. 'Sel (beats)' appears if a selection has been made (enter the number of beats in the selection). Used when slicing & beat detecting (see below).
    • Round - Rounds the number of beats (removes decimals).
    • Tempo-sync - When selected - Instructs FL Studio to stretch (beatmatch) the sample to the Master tempo of the project (Audio clips & Channel sampler). The F10 General Settings, 'Read sample tempo information' option MUST BE ON. See the section on Time-stretching & Pitch-shifting in the Sampler Channel Settings section for more details. NOTE: When the option is selected, and nothing is set in the field, the host tempo will be used. Left-click in the field to manually enter a tempo.
    Manual tempo setting - The manual tempo detection technique is to highlight a part of the audio that you know to be an exact number of beats, then the properties dialog (F2) will show 'Selection (beats)' instead of 'Length (beats)'. If 4 beats were highlighted (for example), enter 4, and the tempo of the song should be detected.
    Manual grid alignment - Right-Ctrl + Right-Shift + Click on the location in the sample where the first downbeat marker is to be set, hold and drag horizontally to fine-tune the position if needed. Then, release the mouse button and click again with the Right-Ctrl + Right-Shift keys still held (drag left/right) to adjust the grid spacing to align the grid to the beat.
  • Default - Sets the BPM to the FL Studio project tempo.
  • Quick guess - For songs with a constant tempo.
  • Autodetect - Select to choose from three options:
    • Quick estimation for short loops - Quick tempo-detection based on the host tempo and the length of the sample.
    • Detection for songs with constant tempo - Algorithmic tempo-detection which generally gives the most accurate result, but requires constant tempo tracks.
    • Detection for songs with variable tempo - Algorithmic tempo-detection tuned for songs without a constant tempo. 

Sampler

These functions aid samplers that read meta-data to auto-process the sample (DirectWave and the Channel sampler for example).
  • Middle note (root note) - Selects the MIDI note at which the sample will play back at the original (recorded) pitch. This data is used by samplers such as DirectWave and the Channel Sampler to automatically set the 'root' note.
  • low - Sets the lowest intended MIDI note the sample should play on.
  • high - Sets the highest intended MIDI note the sample should play on.
  • Fine tune (cents) - Fine-tunes the intended pitch of the sample in 1/100ths of a semi-tone.
  • Default - Restores default settings.
  • Autodetect - Auto-detects the pitch of the sample. Use on monophonic single-pitch sounds only. 
That's all. Man, this is so long. The point, this Edison having function to edit audio and modified audio. That's the main function. For beginner this really need more practice. And I know you can do it.
Then, see next time. Next, I will write articel's title about EQUO - Morphing Graphic Equalizer.
Btw, have a good day...

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