Meet the FLpad – a Novation 8×8 grid controller designed specifically for FL Studio

Image-Line – maker of FL Studio – continues to extend its reach via thoughtful collaborations with some of the music tech world’s biggest brands. 

Just last month, the company announced it had partnered with Antares to bring the world-renowned AutoTune plugin to FL Studio in a native plugin (available even to free users), and now it has joined forces with Novation to develop the FLpad, an 8×8 grid controller designed specifically for FL Studio.

Of course, this isn’t the first time Novation and Image-Line have partnered up; the pair launched the first range of FLkey MIDI controllers in 2022, and unveiled the second generation of the FLkey lineup earlier this year. We got our hands on two FLkey 2 models shortly following their release, and couldn’t help but feel they were the “ultimate FL Studio controller”.

But this latest collab marks Novation and Image-Line’s first FL Studio-dedicated grid controller. It’s not just one model we’re getting, though. There’s actually two, the FLpad and FLpad mini, both sporting 8×8 grids, the former boasting a larger one with velocity-sensitive pads, and the latter featuring smaller grid pads for “grab-and-go creation”.

Aimed at FL Studio producers working with finger drumming and step sequencing, each model’s 64 RGB-backlit pads can be configured for melodic playing, too, both chromatically and locked to a chosen scale.

Both FLpads unit also sport a selection of dedicated controls for navigating the sequencer and channel rack, building tracks with Patterns, mode switching, transport control, undo/redo and more.

Additionally, within Novation Components, the companion software to Novation’s range of hardware controllers, producers can create custom layouts for their FLpad tailored to specific FL Studio workflows.

While you might feel the FLpad looks similar to Novation’s existing Launchpad lineup, the company promises “its DNA is entirely new”. “From its user interface to its firmware and DAW scripts, FLpad has been designed with FL Studio’s Channel Rack in mind,” the company says.

You might also be interested to know that each FLpad comes with six months of FL Studio Producer Edition (normally priced at £22/month), as well as a range of premium instruments and effects from UVI, GForce and Klevgrand, plus finger-drumming lessons from Melodics.

“We’re proud to partner with Image-Line once again and build on the momentum of FLkey 2 with a new line of hardware controllers,” says Novation Product Manager Mario Buoninfante. 

“Through our previous collaborations with Image-Line, we’ve gained a deep appreciation for what makes this DAW so beloved of beatmakers. This understanding has led us directly to FLpad – a grid controller made specifically to augment FL Studio’s unique workflows in intuitive and inspiring new ways.”

Price-wise the larger FLpad clocks in at $219.99 / £179.99, while the smaller FLpad mini is $139.99 / £99.99.

Head over to Novation to learn more.