Optimizing workflow in the Piano Roll

We maximize workflow by creating Project bones templates and saving them to our packs folder. Project bones is a feature in FL Studio that allows you to save and reuse specific parts of your project. These can include mixer track settings, pattern settings, plugin settings, and so on. Essentially, Project bones allow you to save a “skeleton” or framework of your project that you can reuse in future projects or share with other users. Project bones include everything from your MIDI patterns in the Piano Roll to mixing presets. Creating Project bones is an effective export tool that allows you to save your workflow templates for future use and composing.

In this chapter, we have discussed how to get the most out of the Piano Roll. There are two distinct ways we can optimize future workflow when composing melody and chord progressions:

• The first is by using the MIDI export theory, in which we export a specific Piano Roll pattern into a MIDI file, save it in our browser, and drop and drag it into future projects
• The second is by creating Project bones (as it is called in FL Studio), which we will discuss in this section

We can create Project bones by following these steps:

1. Open the Piano Roll for the instrument you want to create a template for:

Figure 2.39: The Channel Rack | Insert | FL Keys

2. Set up the Piano Roll with the desired MIDI pattern – here, I have composed a basic chord progression and included a tempo of 130 BPM:

Figure 2.40: The Piano Roll | a chord MIDI pattern

3. Now that we have created the template, go to File | Export | Project bones (.fsc)( a .fsc file is a “Score” file) to save the template, give the template a descriptive name, and select a location to save it:

Figure 2.41: File | Export | Project bones…

4. To use the template in a new project, go to File | New from template and select the template you created:

Figure 2.42: File | New from template

The new project will open with the Piano Roll template you created, ready for you to start working.

Now that we understand the concept of using Project bones and how they work, let’s take a closer look at how they can be used to enhance your workflow and save time when working on future projects.