How to Change Layout of FCP Pads in FL Studio: A Step-by-Step Guide to Customize Your FCP Pads

Changing the layout of FCP (Fruity Control Pad) pads in FL Studio can greatly enhance your workflow, especially if you want a custom setup for live performances, quick triggering, or unique sound design projects. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you redesign your FCP pad layout in FL Studio:

1. Open Fruity Control Pad: Load the Fruity Control Pad plugin from your Channel Rack’s plugin picker.
2. Access Pad Settings: In the Fruity Control Pad interface, right-click any pad to open its assignment and settings menu.
3. Reassign Notes/Samples: Click “Load Sample” to assign a different sound, or change the MIDI note the pad triggers.
4. Adjust Layout/Grid: By default, the FCP shows a 4x4 grid. To change its grid (for instance, an 8x2 or other layouts):
5. Click the options icon (gear or wrench) in the plugin window.
6. Look for grid options or additional settings under the “wrapper settings.”
7. Some versions may not natively support custom grids, but resizing the window can help with visibility.
8. Reorder/Mix Pads: Drag and drop sounds into different pads for quick repositioning or use the “Bank” feature if you need multiple layouts banked for different song sections.
9. Use MIDI Controllers: To physically reorder or trigger pads, sync your MIDI controller (like an Akai or Novation) and map its pads to your FCP pads using the MIDI mapping in FL Studio’s settings.
10. Customize Pad Colors: Many users find it helpful to assign colors to specific pads for easy visual recognition. Right-click a pad and set its color if the version of FCP supports it.

As an interior designer, I know how important spatial organization and workflow efficiency are—both in a physical room and in a digital workspace. Customizing your FCP pad layout is a bit like redesigning a creative studio: it’s about placing your most-used “tools” (or sounds) right at your fingertips, ensuring both beauty and practicality. If you ever want to visualize or plan out your creative studio, using a specialized room planner can help you map out every element for maximum creativity and comfort.

Tips 1:

After customizing your pads, save your layout as a preset for future projects. This not only saves time but also ensures consistency across sessions. Remember, experimentation is key—don’t hesitate to try different pad configurations to see which supports your creative process best.

FAQ

Q: Can I create custom-sized grids (e.g., 2x8) in Fruity Control Pad?

A: FL Studio’s Fruity Control Pad is primarily fixed at a 4x4 grid. For other layouts, consider using third-party controllers or plugins with advanced pad mapping, or adjust your setup with multiple instances.

Q: How do I map pads on my MIDI hardware controller to Fruity Control Pad in FL Studio?

A: In the MIDI settings, link your hardware pad MIDI notes to the corresponding notes or pads in FCP. Look up your controller’s MIDI note mapping for best results.

Q: Is it possible to save my pad layout as a preset?

A: Yes, you can save your whole Fruity Control Pad configuration as a preset by clicking the preset menu in the top left of the plugin window.

Q: Can I assign plugins or instruments to pads instead of samples?

A: Fruity Control Pad is designed mainly for sample triggering, but you can route midi signals from FCP to other instrument plugins using internal routing and MIDI Out.

Q: What’s the best way to visually organize my pads for live performance?

A: Assign colors based on sound type (drums, synths, vocals), group similar sounds together, and keep your most used samples on the most accessible pads for quick triggering during live performance.