How to turn Sounds into Mono in FL Studio

So, you’re cooking up some fresh beats in FL Studio, and you’ve heard about this thing called “mono.”

It’s like the musical version of minimalism - clean, simple, and oh-so-essential when you want to make sure your mix sounds stellar on any speaker, from a high-end system to a crummy phone speaker.

But how do you actually turn your sounds into mono in FL Studio? Let me show you!

What is Mono, Anyway?

Before we jump into the technical stuff, let’s quickly cover what mono is.

In simple terms, mono audio means that your sound is coming from one single channel, unlike stereo, which splits sound across two channels (left and right).

When you convert sounds to mono, you’re essentially blending the left and right channels into one.

Why does this matter? Well, some elements in your mix, like bass or vocals, often sound tighter and more focused in mono.

Plus, mono compatibility ensures that your track will still sound good on devices that don’t support stereo.

You will be amazed how many big sound systems still rely on a mono setup.

Having some strong mono elements in your FL Studio project is a big plus!

How to Turn Sounds into Mono in FL Studio

Alright, let’s get to the good stuff - making your sounds mono in FL Studio.

There are a few ways to do this, so I’ll walk you through each method.

Method 1: The Classic Mono Switch

Insert Your Sound: First, load up the sound you want to convert to mono. This could be a sample, an instrument, or an entire track.
Open the Mixer: Click on the sound in the channel rack to highlight it, then press F9 to open the mixer. Your sound should already be routed to a mixer track.
Mono It Up: On the mixer track, look at the top of the channel strip. You’ll see a knob labeled “Stereo Separation.” This is the magic knob. Turn it all the way to the right to merge the stereo channels into mono. Voilà! Your sound is now in mono.

Use stereo seperation in the FL Studio mixer to turn your sounds into mono - FL Studio

Method 2: Use the Fruity Stereo Shaper

Load the Plugin: Head over to the mixer track where your sound is playing. In one of the effect slots, load up the Fruity Stereo Shaper plugin. This handy tool lets you manipulate the stereo image of your sound.
Set it to Mono: Once the plugin is open, you’ll see several controls. To convert your sound to mono, simply click on the Preset dropdown at the top and select “Mono” from the list. Easy as pie.

Use the Stereo Shaper plugin to turn sounds into mono in FL Studio - LÄMMERFYR

Method 3: Mono with Edison

Capture the Sound: If you prefer to work with samples directly, Edison is your friend. Load Edison into an effect slot on the mixer track that has your sound.
Convert to Mono: Once the sound is recorded into Edison, click the Channels button under Format. From the dropdown, select Mono to convert the stereo information in the audio to mono. You can then drag the mono sample back into the playlist or channel rack.
Export in Mono: After editing, you can export the sample directly from Edison as a mono file by using the Save Sample As option.

Use Edison to turn the sound into mono in FL Studio - LÄMMERFYR

Method 4: FL Studio’s Export Options

Final Touch: Want to make sure the entire track, or just specific stems, are in mono when you export? FL Studio has you covered.
Mono Export: Go to File > Export and select your desired export format (WAV, MP3, etc.). In the Export Settings window, check the Mono box before hitting start. This ensures your exported file is in glorious mono.

Use the export settings to turn sounds into mono in FL Studio - LÄMMERFYR

Why Mono Matters

So now that you know how to turn sounds into mono in FL Studio, let’s talk about why you’d want to do this in the first place. Mono compatibility is crucial for a few reasons:

Mix Consistency: Making sure your mix sounds good in mono ensures that it will translate well on any playback system.
Phase Issues: Sometimes, stereo sounds can have phase cancellation issues, where parts of the sound disappear when summed to mono. Checking your mix in mono can help you catch and fix these problems.
Focus: Mono can give certain elements, like bass and kick drums, more focus and punch in your mix.

[Also read]: Best Export Settings in FL Studio

Wrapping It Up

And there you have it!

You’re now fully equipped to wield the power of mono in FL Studio like a pro. Whether you’re tightening up your bass, ensuring mono compatibility, or just experimenting with new sounds, turning sounds into mono is a simple yet powerful tool in your music production arsenal.

So go ahead, experiment with these techniques, and watch as your mixes become tighter, punchier, and more professional.

Your beats will thank you, and so will anyone listening on a single speaker!