FL Studio Template Setup Guide: From Download to First Track

You've downloaded the Professional FL Studio Template—excellent choice! This guide will walk you through everything from installation to creating your first track with professional-grade organization.

What You Get

The template includes:

• 32 color-coded mixer channels with professional labels
• Pre-routed bus groups (Drums, Synths, Vocals, FX)
• 50+ custom presets for 3xOsc, Sytrus, and Maximus
• Sidechain routing already configured
• Reference track setup for A/B comparison

Installation and Setup

Step 1: Download the Template

File: livvux-fl-studio-template.flp Size: ~8.4 MB Format: FL Studio Project File (.flp)

Step 2: Place in Templates Folder

Windows:

Documents\Image-Line\FL Studio\Templates\Livvux/

Mac:

~/Documents/Image-Line/FL Studio/Templates/Livvux/

Create the folder if it doesn't exist:

1. Navigate to your Documents folder
2. Find or create: Image-Line/FL Studio/Templates/
3. Create new folder: Livvux
4. Copy the .flp file into this folder

Step 3: Launch FL Studio

Access the template:

1. Open FL Studio
2. File > New from Template > Livvux > Professional Template
3. The template loads with all channels and routing ready

Understanding the Template Structure

The Mixer Layout

Visual Overview:

Channels 1-4:    Master Busses (Gray)
Channels 5-12:   Drums (Red/Orange)
Channels 13-16:  Bass (Purple)
Channels 17-24:  Synths (Yellow)
Channels 25-28:  Vocals (Green)
Channels 29-32:  Effects (Blue)

Detailed Channel Guide

Master Section (1-4):

1: Master - Final output, keep at 0dB
2: Drums Bus - All drums route here
3: Synths Bus - All synths route here
4: Vocals Bus - All vocals route here

Drum Channels (5-12):

5:  Kick - Main kick drum
6:  Snare - Snare/clap
7:  Hi-Hats Closed
8:  Hi-Hats Open
9:  Percussion 1
10: Percussion 2
11: Cymbals/Crashes
12: Drum Room (Reverb send)

Bass Channels (13-16):

13: Sub Bass - Low-end foundation
14: Mid Bass - Character and movement
15: Bass Layer - Additional texture
16: Bass Bus - Combined bass processing

Synth Channels (17-24):

17: Lead Main - Primary melody
18: Lead Layer - Top-end shimmer
19: Chords Main - Chord progression
20: Chords Layer - Pad/texture
21: Arp/Pluck - Rhythmic elements
22: Pad - Atmospheric layer
23: FX/Sweeps - Transitions
24: Synth Bus - Combined processing

Vocal Channels (25-28):

25: Lead Vocal
26: Vocal Layer - Doubles/harmonies
27: Vocal FX - Chops/processed
28: Vocal Bus - Combined processing

Effect Returns (29-32):

29: Reverb Short - Room ambience
30: Reverb Long - Hall/Plate
31: Delay - Echo effects
32: Master FX - Final processing

Customizing the Template

Making It Yours

Step 1: Save a Copy

Before customizing, save a backup:

1. File > Save As
2. Name: "Livvux Template - ORIGINAL"
3. Now customize the working version

Step 2: Adjust the Color Scheme

If you prefer different colors:

1. Right-click any mixer channel
2. Color > Select Color
3. Choose your preferred color
4. Save as new template

Step 3: Modify Presets

Customizing 3xOsc Presets:

1. Open 3xOsc on any channel
2. Adjust settings to your taste
3. Click the plugin menu (top-left arrow)
4. Save preset as... > Name it
5. Store in: Documents/Image-Line/FL Studio/Presets/Plugin name/My Presets/

Creating Your Own Bass Sound:

Starting from the template bass:

1. Open channel 13 (Sub Bass)
2. Modify oscillator settings
3. Adjust filter envelope
4. Save as "My Sub Bass v1"

Adding Your Favorite Plugins

Step 1: Replace Stock Plugins

Example: Replacing Fruity Reverb 2 with Valhalla Supermassive:

1. Go to Reverb Short channel (29)
2. Right-click Fruity Reverb 2
3. Replace with > Valhalla Supermassive
4. Adjust settings
5. Save template

Step 2: Update Routing

If your plugin has different routing needs:

1. Check the mixer routing view
2. Adjust sends if necessary
3. Test with audio playing

Using the Template Effectively

Your First Track with the Template

Starting a New Project:

1. Load the template

   File > New from Template > Livvux > Professional Template
   

2. Set project info

   Project Name: My First Track
   BPM: 128
   Time Signature: 4/4
   

3. Create drum pattern

   Channel 5 (Kick): Program 4-on-the-floor
   Channel 6 (Snare): Add on beats 2 and 4
   Channel 7 (Hats): Program 8th notes
   

4. Design bass

   Channel 13 (Sub): Root notes only
   Channel 14 (Mid Bass): Follow chord progression
   

5. Add melody

   Channel 17 (Lead): Create main hook
   Channel 19 (Chords): Program progression
   

Workflow Integration

Phase 1: Sound Selection (15 minutes)

- Load template
- Browse presets in each channel
- Replace sounds that don't fit
- Keep what works

Phase 2: Pattern Creation (30 minutes)

- Program drums
- Write bassline
- Create chord progression
- Add lead melody

Phase 3: Arrangement (20 minutes)

- Copy patterns to playlist
- Arrange into song structure
- Add automation
- Create transitions

Phase 4: Mixing (25 minutes)

- Adjust levels using template routing
- Apply EQ as needed
- Check sidechain is working
- Add effects

Total time: ~90 minutes for first draft

Understanding the Bus System

Why Buses Matter

Benefits:

• Process multiple channels together
• Create glue and cohesion
• Easier mixing workflow
• Consistent sound

How the Buses Work

Drums Bus (Channel 2):

All drum channels (5-12) → Drums Bus (2) → Master

Processing on Drums Bus:
- Light compression (glue)
- EQ for overall drum tone
- Stereo enhancement

Synths Bus (Channel 3):

All synth channels (17-24) → Synths Bus (3) → Master

Processing on Synths Bus:
- Limiting (protection)
- EQ for clarity
- Stereo widening

Vocals Bus (Channel 4):

All vocal channels (25-28) → Vocals Bus (4) → Master

Processing on Vocals Bus:
- Compression
- EQ for presence
- Reverb

Customizing Bus Processing

Adjusting the Drums Bus:

1. Select channel 2 (Drums Bus)
2. Open Maximus (already loaded)
3. Adjust threshold for more/less compression
4. Fine-tune EQ settings
5. Save preset if you like it

Creating Your Own Bus Sound:

1. Mute all buses
2. Solo one bus at a time
3. Adjust processing to taste
4. Compare with reference tracks
5. Save settings as presets

Preset Library Deep Dive

3xOsc Presets Included

Lead Pluck:

Osc 1: Saw, 4 voices, detune 10
Osc 2: Square, 2 voices, detune 5
Filter: Low-pass, cutoff modulated
Use for: Main leads, catchy hooks

Super Saw:

Osc 1: Saw, 9 voices, detune 25
Osc 2: Saw, 9 voices, detune 25, +1 octave
Use for: Big chords, festival energy

Sub Bass:

Osc 1: Sine, 1 voice
Osc 2: Triangle, 1 voice, -1 octave
Use for: Pure low-end foundation

Sytrus Presets

FM Pluck:

Operator 1: Sine carrier
Operator 2: Saw modulator, ratio 2:1
Envelope: Fast attack, medium decay
Use for: Modern leads, percussive bass

Growl Bass:

Multiple operators for complex timbre
Distortion in FX section
Modulation wheel mapped to filter
Use for: Dubstep, heavier genres

Maximus Presets

Drum Glue:

Low: Compression 3:1
Mid: Light compression 2:1
High: Very light 1.5:1
Master: Saturation +1dB

Bass Control:

Low: Heavy compression 6:1
Mid: Moderate 4:1
High: Light 2:1
Master: Soft clip enabled

Sidechain Configuration

How It's Set Up

Pre-configured routing:

Kick (ch 5) → Sidechain input on Bass (ch 13)
Amount: 60%

Kick (ch 5) → Sidechain input on Chords (ch 19)
Amount: 25% (subtle)

Adjusting Sidechain

Make it pump more:

1. Open bass channel (13)
2. Open Fruity Limiter
3. Sidechain tab
4. Lower threshold (more reduction)
5. Adjust release time

Make it more subtle:

1. Same process as above
2. Raise threshold (less reduction)
3. Or reduce amount to 40%

Adding More Sidechain

Route kick to pads:

1. Open pad channel (22)
2. Add Fruity Limiter
3. Sidechain tab → Select Kick
4. Set amount to 20%
5. Adjust to taste

Reference Track Setup

Using Channel 32

The Reference System:

• Channel 32 is set up for reference tracks
• Route to separate output or mute/unmute
• Match volume levels before comparing

How to Use:

1. Load reference

   Import MP3/WAV to Channel 32
   

2. Match volume

   Play your track
   Play reference
   Adjust reference fader to match perceived loudness
   

3. Compare

   Mute your mix, listen to reference
   Mute reference, listen to your mix
   Note differences in:
   - Low-end balance
   - High-end presence
   - Vocal level
   - Overall energy
   

Best Practices

Volume Matching:

• This is critical! Louder always sounds "better"
• Use LUFS meter if available
• Or trust your ears at moderate volume

What to Compare:

• Low-end: Kick and bass relationship
• Mids: Clarity and presence
• Highs: Air and shimmer
• Stereo width
• Overall compression

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

"No sound from a channel"

• Check routing (should go to bus, then master)
• Verify channel isn't muted
• Check plugin bypass states
• Confirm mixer channel volume is up

"Effects too heavy"

• Reduce send levels to reverb/delay
• Adjust wet/dry ratios on effects
• Disable unnecessary plugins

"CPU overload"

• Freeze heavy channels (right-click > Freeze)
• Increase buffer size in audio settings
• Disable unused effects
• Bounce to audio when done editing

Template Won't Load

Check FL Studio version:

• Template requires FL Studio 20.8 or later
• Update if necessary

Missing plugins:

• If using modified version with third-party plugins
• Install missing plugins
• Or use stock-only version

Advanced Customization

Creating Multiple Templates

Genre-Specific Templates:

House Template:

• Remove heavy bass presets
• Add more percussion channels
• Configure for 4/4 groove

Techno Template:

• Add industrial percussion
• Configure darker synth sounds
• Set up for minimal arrangement

Pop Template:

• Add more vocal channels
• Configure for vocal-centric mixing
• Add harmony/aux tracks

Template Evolution

Version Control:

Livvux Template v1.0 - Initial setup
Livvux Template v1.1 - Added vocal chain
Livvux Template v1.2 - Updated drum bus processing
Livvux Template v2.0 - Major overhaul

Track Changes: Keep a text file with your template:

Version History:
v1.0 - Initial download
v1.1 - Changed kick sample
v1.2 - Updated sidechain settings
v1.3 - Added new lead preset

Your Next Steps

Week 1: Learn the Template

Day 1-2: Explore all channels and presets Day 3-4: Create one track using the template Day 5-7: Customize to your preferences

Week 2: Make It Yours

Customize:

• Change colors if desired
• Add your favorite presets
• Adjust bus processing
• Save as "My Template v1"

Week 3: Master Your Workflow

Practice:

• Produce 3 tracks using the template
• Time yourself
• Identify bottlenecks
• Refine the workflow

Download Resources

Complete your setup:

• Music Production Checklist - 47-point workflow guide
• Avicii Production Secrets - Sound design mastery
• Suno AI Masterclass - Generate ideas

Watch Video Tutorial

See the template in action:

Subscribe @livvux

Questions?

How are you customizing the template? Share your setup in the comments!

Ready to produce faster? Get the template now and start creating with professional organization.