To connect an electric guitar to FL Studio, plug it into a suitable input on an audio interface, connect the interface to your computer, select it in FL Studio’s Audio settings, then choose its guitar input on a Mixer track. Arm that track to record to the Playlist, or record the input with Edison. Image-Line requires Producer Edition or higher for external audio recording.
What you need before connecting the guitar
A guitar signal needs an audio-device input that can accept it. For a typical electric guitar, that means an audio interface with an instrument-compatible input; Image-Line recommends considering a dedicated audio-production interface for external instruments. A cable or passive adapter alone does not turn the guitar signal into computer audio. Check your guitar and interface manuals for the correct cable and connectors.
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Before choosing an interface, check that its input accepts your guitar directly, that its driver supports your operating system, and that it has the inputs and monitoring features you need. Input count, connectors, driver support, and direct-monitoring options vary by model.
External audio recording requires FL Studio Producer Edition or higher, according to Image-Line’s Audio Recording manual and its recording FAQ.
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Connect the interface and select it in FL Studio
- Connect the guitar to the interface. Use the interface input designed to accept the guitar’s signal, with the appropriate cable for your equipment.
- Connect the interface to the computer. Follow the interface maker’s setup instructions and install its driver if required.
- Open FL Studio’s Audio settings. Select the interface as the audio device. The chosen device and driver determine which inputs and outputs FL Studio can use, as explained in Image-Line’s Audio settings documentation.
- On Windows, select an ASIO driver. Use the interface manufacturer’s native ASIO driver when available. Image-Line describes FL Studio ASIO as a compatibility option that can introduce latency; external input selection on Windows requires an ASIO driver.
- On macOS, select the relevant Core Audio device. If macOS asks for microphone access, grant it so FL Studio can receive the input.
Route the guitar input to a Mixer track
- Choose an unused Mixer track rather than the Master track.
- Open that track’s Input menu and select the interface input where the guitar is connected.
- Play the guitar and check that the selected Mixer track receives signal.
Image-Line cautions against recording onto the Master track: other audio routed through the Mixer may be captured along with the guitar. The Mixer input-selection workflow is described in the Audio Recording manual.
Record to the Playlist or Edison
Record into the Playlist
Use FL Studio’s Playlist audio-recording workflow and arm the Mixer track receiving the guitar. The Mixer track must be armed for Playlist recording; selecting the input alone does not complete the recording setup.
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Record with Edison
Add Edison to the Mixer track carrying the guitar input, then set Edison to record. Choose the recording pickup point deliberately: an external-input-only option captures the interface input without other signals routed through the track, while other pickup choices can include more of the Mixer signal chain.
Image-Line documents both routes and the arming requirement in its external audio recording instructions.
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Monitor the guitar and reduce delay
If your interface offers direct monitoring, it can send the guitar input to your headphones or speakers without routing that monitoring signal through FL Studio. This avoids latency from the software monitoring path. Direct monitoring is model-dependent, so check the interface manual for how to enable it.
If you monitor through FL Studio, the selected driver and audio-buffer settings affect responsiveness and CPU load. A smaller buffer can improve monitoring response but increases CPU demand; adjust settings while listening for dropouts or glitches. The available controls depend on the selected device and driver, as Image-Line explains in its Audio settings documentation.
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If FL Studio does not receive the guitar
- No input option appears: Confirm that FL Studio is using the interface and a driver that exposes its inputs. On Windows, external input options require ASIO.
- The input is listed but the Mixer meter does not respond: Check that the guitar is connected to the intended interface input and that the same input is selected in the Mixer track’s Input menu.
- You hear delay while playing: Try the interface’s direct-monitoring feature if available, or review the selected driver and buffer settings.
- Other FL Studio audio is included in the recording: Record from a dedicated Mixer track rather than the Master, and select the appropriate input-only pickup point when using Edison.
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