Creating remixes is not only a fun and rewarding process, but it’s also a great way to improve your production skills and spark inspiration. Remixing can give you fresh ideas for your own music and introduce you to new production techniques. In this tutorial, we’ll go over each essential step for making a remix from scratch in FL Studio 24, including vocal extraction, tempo adjustment, finding chords, and building a remix that stands out.
Acapella & Vocal Extraction
The first step is to download the song you want to remix and look for an acapella version, which includes only the vocals. Search Google to see if there’s an official acapella available; many songs today are released with vocal-only versions. If an acapella isn’t available, you can create one using AI vocal extraction tools like Vocal Remover or even FL Studio’s 2024 built-in stem separator. This feature lets you extract individual stems (vocals, drums, bass, etc.) from the track - perfect for remixing.
Adjusting the Tempo
Once you have the acapella, set the project to match the original song’s tempo. Use FL Studio’s “Detect Tempo” function to identify the BPM accurately. After syncing the acapella with the project’s metronome, you can stretch it to your preferred speed. For a house remix, set it to around 120-130 BPM, and use FL Studio’s “stretch” mode to keep the timing of the vocals and instrumental consistent as you adjust the BPM.
Finding the Chords
With the tempo set, find the song’s chords to create a harmonic foundation. You can use websites like Chordify to easily find the chords of most popular tracks. Load these chords into your piano roll and adjust them as needed to fit the vibe of your remix. This will allow you to build your remix harmonically around the original song’s structure, or you can create your own chord progression inspired by the original.
Arranging and Finalizing
Arrange your remix with clean sections: an intro that eases in, a breakdown to showcase the vocal, and a drop for the climax. Keep the arrangement simple, letting your rhythm and core elements drive the track forward. Remember to respect the original song’s essence - maintain key elements like the melody or vocal, as they’re what make the song recognizable.