FL Studio
FL Studio is a complete software music production environment providing everything you need to compose, arrange, record, edit, mix, and master professional quality music on your computer.
MakeMusic Finale
MakeMusic Finale is a professional music notation software that allows composers, arrangers, and educators to create, edit, and print high-quality musical scores with complete control over every page element.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | FL Studio | MakeMusic Finale |
|---|---|---|
| Website | image-line.com | makemusic.com |
| Pricing Model | One_time | One_time |
| Starting Price | $??/month | $99/month |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 0 days free trial | ✓ 30 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 1994 | 1990 |
| Headquarters | Ghent, Belgium | Boulder, USA |
Overview
FL Studio
FL Studio gives you a complete creative environment where you can turn your musical ideas into professional tracks. You can manage your entire production workflow within a single interface, from initial sequencing and MIDI programming to complex multi-track recording and final mastering. The software is famous for its pattern-based workflow and the iconic Step Sequencer, which lets you build drum loops and melodies in seconds.
You can take advantage of a massive library of native plugins, including synthesizers, samplers, and high-quality audio effects. One of the most significant benefits is the lifetime free updates policy, meaning you buy the software once and receive every future version at no extra cost. Whether you are a bedroom producer or a professional engineer, you can scale your setup with various editions tailored to your specific creative needs.
MakeMusic Finale
MakeMusic Finale gives you the ultimate power to create any musical score you can imagine. Whether you are composing a simple lead sheet or a complex orchestral work, you can customize every aspect of your notation with surgical precision. The software adapts to your creative process, allowing you to enter notes via MIDI keyboards, computer mice, or even scanning existing sheet music.
You can produce publisher-quality scores that meet the highest professional standards. It solves the problem of rigid formatting by giving you total manual control over staff spacing, measure widths, and font styles. It is the industry standard for professional engravers, film composers, and music educators who need a tool that never says 'no' to a specific notation requirement.
Overview
FL Studio Features
- The Playlist Arrange all your project elements—audio, automation, and pattern clips—in any order to build your final song structure.
- Step Sequencer Create drum loops and melodic patterns instantly using the intuitive grid-based interface that defined the FL Studio workflow.
- Advanced Mixing Mix your tracks to professional standards with complex routing, sidechaining, and automated plugin control on every channel.
- Piano Roll Send notes and automation data to plugin instruments with the industry-recognized tool for complex MIDI editing and manipulation.
- Native Plugins Access a wide range of built-in synthesizers and effects processors to shape your sound without needing third-party software.
- Audio Recording Capture live performances and vocals directly into the playlist with multi-track recording and non-destructive editing capabilities.
MakeMusic Finale Features
- Flexible Note Entry. Enter your music your way by playing a MIDI keyboard, using your mouse, or typing on your computer keyboard.
- Garritan Sound Library. Hear your compositions performed with stunning realism using a vast library of world-class sampled instrument sounds.
- MusicXML Support. Collaborate with others easily by importing and exporting files between different notation programs without losing your formatting.
- SmartMusic Integration. Share your music directly with students or performers through interactive practice tools to streamline the rehearsal process.
- Linked Parts. Edit your score and watch as your individual instrument parts update automatically, saving you hours of manual correction.
- Professional Engraving. Adjust every detail of your page layout, from hairpins and slurs to precise measure spacing and custom fonts.
Pricing Comparison
FL Studio Pricing
- Lifetime free updates
- Piano roll & sequencing
- Automation features
- 83 instruments & effects
- MIDI support only
- No audio clips/recording
- Everything in Fruity, plus:
- Full audio recording
- Audio clips in playlist
- 90 instruments & effects
- Sytrus synthesizer
- Slicex for loop editing
MakeMusic Finale Pricing
- Full professional feature set
- Complete Garritan sound library
- Unlimited staves and measures
- Standard technical support
- Two installations per user
- Everything in Full Version, plus:
- Discounted pricing for students
- Discounted pricing for educators
- Verification of status required
- Full professional functionality
Pros & Cons
FL Studio
Pros
- Lifetime free updates save you significant money
- Fastest workflow for electronic music and beat-making
- Highly customizable interface fits your personal style
- Massive community support and endless online tutorials
- Excellent stock plugins included with the license
Cons
- Recording workflow is less intuitive than competitors
- Interface can feel cluttered with many windows
- Steep learning curve for the mixer routing
MakeMusic Finale
Pros
- Unmatched level of control over score aesthetics
- Industry standard for professional publishing and engraving
- Extensive library of high-quality playback sounds
- Powerful automation for managing linked instrumental parts
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users
- Interface can feel dated compared to competitors
- Requires significant time to master advanced features