Quick answer: FL Studio Producer Edition is the first edition that lets you record audio and put audio clips on the Playlist. The Fruity edition cannot. Producer also adds plug-ins such as Sytrus, Maximus and Vocodex. Signature adds Newtone, Pitcher and Gross Beat, and All Plugins adds the rest. Every edition gets lifetime free updates. For vocals, choose Producer or higher.
Image-Line sells FL Studio in four editions: Fruity, Producer, Signature Bundle and All Plugins. The page below explains the differences that matter for beat-making and for recording vocals. The feature list comes from Image-Line's own edition comparison page. Prices change often, and the Image-Line site shows "from $99", so check there for the current price of each edition.
Edition comparison
| Fruity | Producer | Signature | All Plugins | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piano Roll, Mixer, arrangement | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Audio recording and audio clips in the Playlist | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Edison and Newtime audio editors | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Newtone (pitch editing) | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Pitcher and Gross Beat | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Harmor, Drumaxx, LuxeVerb and more | No | No | No | Yes |
| Lifetime free updates | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Which edition should you buy?
- Fruity: enough for beats built from MIDI and samples that you load into the Channel Rack. You cannot record vocals into the Playlist.
- Producer: the practical starting point for singers and rappers, because it records audio and lets you arrange audio clips. It also adds stem separation and denoising according to Image-Line's comparison.
- Signature: worth it when you want vocal pitch tools (Newtone, Pitcher) and creative effects in the same package.
- All Plugins: for producers who want every Image-Line synth and effect and expect to use them.
Upgrades between editions are pro-rated, so you pay only the difference. That means starting with Producer carries little risk.
Try it before you buy
You can download the free trial from the Image-Line download page and test all features. Read the trial terms there, because limits on saving and reopening projects apply to trial versions and may change.
New to FL Studio? Read FL Studio for beginners: a comprehensive guide.
Recording vocals in FL Studio
- Choose an audio input in Options > Audio settings. An ASIO driver gives the lowest delay on Windows.
- Add an Audio track in the Mixer and set its input to your interface.
- Press the record button and choose to record audio into the Playlist as an audio clip (Producer and above).
- Record in 24-bit with peaks near -6 dBFS.
- Add a vocal chain on the mixer track: EQ, compressor, de-esser, reverb. See our vocal EQ cheat sheet for starting points.
Looking for free vocal chains for FL Studio? Read free vocal presets for FL Studio. If you are comparing programs, see FL Studio vs Logic Pro.
Already on a Mac with Logic or GarageBand?
Our vocal presets are made for those two programs. Try the free Toronto Warmth preset for Logic Pro X, or the GarageBand Starter Pack ($19) and Logic Pro Starter Pack ($19). Browse all Logic Pro vocal presets. We do not sell FL Studio presets.
Frequently asked questions
Is FL Studio Producer Edition worth it?
Yes, if you want to record vocals or arrange audio. Fruity cannot record audio into the Playlist, and Producer can.
Does FL Studio have lifetime free updates?
Yes. Image-Line states that every edition includes lifetime free updates for that edition.
Can I upgrade later?
Yes. Upgrades to a higher edition are pro-rated, so you pay the difference.
Which edition has Newtone?
Newtone comes with the Signature Bundle and All Plugins editions.
Is FL Studio good for vocals?
It works well for recording and mixing vocals from Producer upward. For a Mac-based vocal workflow, many singers choose Logic Pro or GarageBand.
