FLpad 8×8 grid comes to FL Studio — can you add a grid to a speedrun?

The Novation Launchpad grid has its original lineage in Ableton Live integration. But it’s now come to the land of Fruity Loops. FLpad is available in both a standard, velocity-sensitive model and an FLpad mini. For a user base known for shortcuts and speedrunning, can finger-drumming and pad programming find a home?

Stretch keys — Novation rounds out the MK4 Launchkey range with 88 keys

Novation’s Launchkey remains a go-to, no-hassle standard for MIDI controllers. Now they’ve rounded out their MK4 lineup with an 88-key model that adds the extra octaves without the weight or bulk that usually entails. They opted for semi-weighted keys to keep from bulking up.) It’s the compact MK4, all stretched out. Here’s the latest on the full MK4 lineup.

Peter Kirn - July 15, 2026

Fractiv wants to make granular sound easier to shape, sculpt, and play

More, granular — less random. That’s the pitch from Fractiv, a new sampling granular instrument and effect from Sync Audio. Just when you thought you couldn’t squeeze more ideas out of granular sound, they’ve got some smart ideas, including a more playable, precise interface, and grain-based modulation. Mac, Windows, and Linux. Here’s a first look.

Peter Kirn - January 16, 2026

FL on the Web: hands-on, Image-Line tells us what it all means

Peter Kirn - December 22, 2025

Fruity Loops Web! FL Studio arrives in a browser beta, with full compatibility

Peter Kirn - December 15, 2025

Vara Osiria Belich is taking Phase Plant to gestural, mangled frontiers

Peter Kirn - November 20, 2025

FL Studio 2025: Mixer add and delete, AI help, more plugins, Python scripts

Peter Kirn - July 10, 2025

Happy Monday; immerse your workday and soundscape in Severance

Peter Kirn - March 17, 2025

Novation Launchkey MK4 range, hands-on: perfect DAW companions?

Peter Kirn - August 29, 2024