Behind Pro Tools, Image Line's FL Studio might just be a surprise contender for the second most popular DAW worldwide. Thus, it's big news that FL Studio 8 is released after over a decade of FL Studio. This new version actualizes the strong vision of Didier Dambrin, Image Line's Chief Software Architect, to create a truly open-architecture virtual studio environment.

So what's the big deal about FL8? First of all, FL8 includes 13 virtual synths that will basically cover any noise you want with any synthesis technique you prefer to use. The newest addition, FL Synthmaker, is a fully modular environment where you can build your own FL instruments, effects and dashboards with no coding necessary.

The audio aspects of FL8 are pretty bulky, too. You can record a maximum of 64 simultaneous audio tracks. The workspace can contain as many audio tracks as you can throw into it with a wide load of editing tools to further fashion that audio. These include the abilities to time-stretch, pitch-shift, beat-slice, chop, edit and destruct audio. Its Edison Wave Editor handles spectral analysis, convolution reverb, loop-recording and more.

FL's intuitive sequencing marches on in FL8 which works as both a pattern and track based sequencer. When using FL8 you have an unlimited track step-sequencer and very comfortable arranging. You can design your own project's layout with a flexible playlist for a more personally efficient workflow.

The mixer on FL8 is so strong its veins are popping out of its skin. With 64 stereo tracks that can each handle up to eight effects while being routed to any other track or any of four dedicated send channels, you'll feel like a postman. Plus, you get free updates for life.

Key new features and changes:

• FL Synthmaker is a fully modular environment where you can create & share your own FL instruments, effects & dashboards without the need to write basic code.
• One-click-recording using the built-in Edison Wave Editor, a fully integrated audio editing and recording tool with spectral analysis, convolution reverb, loop-recording and more
• Slicex, the power horse drumloop slicer & re-arranging tool.
• Soundgooodizer is a stereo "maximizer-enhancer" plugin based on the Maximus sound processing engine.
• Included Fruity Limiter/Maximizer for maximizing & compressing final mixes or individual tracks
• FL Studio can permanently learn and remember links to external controllers with the new "multilink" function plus "Override generic links" option.
• Wave Candy is a flexible audio analysis and visualization tool with Oscilloscope, Spectrum Analyzer and Peak Meter.
• Sync interpolation now faster (64 point sync now usable real-time depending on CPU)
• Rendering with latency compensation
• Score logger, records all MIDI & note activity for instant recall.
• Directwave Player, broaden your musical palette with downloadable sound banks and multi-sample sets.
• Recording filter, to select Audio, Automation or Note data recording independently or in any combination.
• New slip editing and resizing tool for Playlist clips
• Multi-core safe plugins are threaded for performance gain on multi-core CPUs.
• Introducing "Selected mixer track" in Mixer, to which the selected mixer track is routed, and where to place visual effects or a recording Edison.
• FL8 now supports Track-based sequencing, Pattern Clips present sequence data as Audio and/or Automation Clips
• A "News Panel," to keep users updated with content and patches.