A digital audio workstation in your hands

FL Studio Mobile is a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) that you can access through the Google Play Store on Android devices. Created by Image-Line, FL Studio Mobile equips you with the tools needed to produce high-quality music while on the move. Users also benefit from a companion desktop plug-in, which allows you to pick up where you left off once you're back at your computer.
For music makers and creators, FL Studio Mobile stands out as a strong professional choice. If it doesn't quite meet your needs from a DAW, you might explore other Android alternatives such as n-Track Studio 8 or Stagelight Audio.

DAW at your fingertips

Formerly called Fruity Loops, FL Studio ranks among the better-known DAWs in the industry. Beatmakers and music producers have relied on the desktop edition of FL for many years. With FL Studio Mobile, the vast array of tools from the desktop version has been condensed into an interface that's straightforward and easy to navigate on your mobile device.

FL Studio is far from cheap. In fact, it falls on the pricier side as far as mobile apps go. We had concerns about this cost, along with the in-app purchases that we'll touch on later.

FL Studio lets you perform directly on a virtual piano to play a sequence or build it step by step, and this includes the ability to use other instruments and drum machines as well. After that, you can add Reverb, different EQ settings, filters, and more to your newly built track in order to achieve the effect you're after.

Getting a handle on the sequencer is the main challenge when it comes to producing an impressive track. Once you've understood it, assembling a song becomes pretty simple. From there, you can export your finished piece as an m4a or wav file for instant playback, or you might choose to export it as a midi file if you want to transfer it over to your desktop for additional tweaking.

Getting to know your DAW

We don't think that FL Studio's interface will be hard for experienced music producers to grasp, though newcomers may find it challenging initially. FL Studio models a large part of its UI after its physical analog equivalents, which creates sections that are immediately recognizable. The clean, contemporary look greatly contributes to ease of use, as options are simple to locate, and the workspace rarely feels cluttered.
Even so, adjusting to using a DAW on a mobile device can feel awkward until you grow accustomed to the compact workspace—especially true if you're using a device with a smaller screen than newer phone models. Users who are new to FL Studio may need around an hour to become familiar with the interface and learn what tools they have access to.

We did notice on a couple of occasions that some features aren't immediately obvious unless you already know where to look for them. The main UI view succeeds in giving you broad access to all the key features the DAW offers, but there's only a limited amount of screen real estate. That means you frequently have to tap into certain track options just to open entirely new menus that contain different adjustable settings.

Aside from where certain settings are placed, FL Studio features a sleek, modern interface with buttons that are relatively spacious, high-contrast colors that help keep your sequence in perspective, and an intuitive button arrangement. Colors come across as vibrant yet remain 'subdued' in the sense that they're not overly dazzling, nor do they make you feel like you're managing a rainbow instead of a DAW.

FL Studio - noise for the eardrums

Interface and accessibility are great to explore when you first start using the app, but the real reason you keep turning to a DAW comes down to the sound options it provides. Users have access to more than 50 synthesizer voices, along with a solid selection of drum-machine-specific sound packs.
We were genuinely impressed by the instrument selection FL Studio offers, which includes over 20 instruments. Just as impressive is the high quality of these instrument sounds—they're all entirely free of digital noise, static, or any drop in quality.

Unfortunately, this DAW does not let you edit these existing sounds; rather, it expects you to use them as they come. Having a restricted sound library might not appear all that limiting initially, especially since you're given a decent number of options. Still, the issue is that you can quickly run through the uniqueness of the sounds at your disposal.
Then, before long, each piece of music you create gradually starts to sound similar, which circles back to our earlier point about in-app purchases. FL Studio includes in-app purchases that allow you to buy additional sound packs. While that's a great option for producers with the extra budget to spend on new packs, it also helps explain why the DAW prevents direct sound editing.

If you know exactly which sounds you need, a single one-time purchase isn't too bad. But if you're constantly looking for new sounds, you'll end up paying more—on top of what you already spent for the app itself.

User thoughts on Fl Studio

The general user base of FL Studio seems divided over the app. On one side, people commend the app for its approachable interface and user-friendly design. On the other, many quickly recommend other options because of the limited number of sound packs included with the core experience.
It's worth taking a look at some user reviews for yourself. If you're wondering which side of the audience you fall on, it will largely come down to your own prior experience with DAWs in general.

Will you be creating your next masterpiece?

FL Studio certainly provides plenty of opportunity and the essential tools to produce a great music track. Producers and seasoned users will adapt to the interface, buttons, and options fairly quickly and begin crafting their next masterpiece.
Given the price tag and the limitations on available sounds, it's worth thinking about how much complexity your projects truly demand. If you need complex sounds, FL Studio might not deliver what you're after. Likewise, since there's no demo version, understanding the app's constraints is important before you commit to buying.

Pros

High quality instrumental sounds

Easy to use user interface

Large number of instruments to use

Multiple export options

Cons

No demo version

No sound editing

Limited number of sounds

Expensive for a mobile app

In-app purchases for new sounds