In celebration of the Warbeats branded FL Studio skin, I've made a tutorial on how to install a skin and wallpapers.

Get you wallpapers from this link: Warbeats Wallpapers.

The Warbeats skin is available for FL8 and FL9 in the VIP Download Area.

And heres the video on how to install an FL Stusio skin: 

Dropbox is a file storage service that gives you 2GB of free storage. It's very useful if you want to have an upload service without all the annoying ads and timers like MegaUpload, zShare, Rapidshare etc.. It's also useful as a backup service.

Once you install it, it looks just like a regular folder that you can drop/copy/move files into. The system will upload the files automatically for you to your personal Dropbox online. You don't have to worry about logging in to a website to upload files, but you can do it that way also. Your files are private unless you choose to share them.

You can also set up a shared folder with other Dropbox users by invitation. For example, say you want to collab on a track with someone running Dropbox. make your shared folder and save or copy your project files into it. Dropbox will  copy those files to the other user automatically. Any changes they make will automatically come back to you.

If you signup for Dropbox using my link, they will give you an extra 250MB of storage space. At the very least, go to their site and watch the video that explains it in more detail.

Warbeats Wallpapers

As a demonstration, I have uploaded some Warbeats Wallpapers on my own Dropbox for you to get. You'll see how reliable and ad/timer free it is. Use the wallpapers for your own Windows desktop or inside FL Studio!

Defect 9 Studios, makers of high quality skins have released an all new "PianoBlack" skin for FL8 and FL9. The skin costs $6 and can be purchased via the Flipside Forum Shop.

FYI.. Defect 9 has also released a FREE update to their GreenBeat skin (for anyone who bought it) to FL9 compatibility.

Choosing a Midi Controller for the first time can be difficult, especially if you have not used one before. Among many choices, there seems to be endless combinations of keys, knobs, faders and pads, and it can be hard to predict what combination of control surfaces you will need.

Sean Duncan has laid out the basics you should be aware of before you buy a MIDI Controller. Go read the article "Choosing A MIDI Controller" to learn more.

This tutorial shows a great feature of Edison to convert WAV data into Piano Roll Notes.

In an effort to better serve the Warbeats community I have made a seperate area for remakes to be uploaded. This is part of the ongoing effort to improve the file area experience.

If you have made a new remake (older remakes will be moved later) and want to upload it here at Warbeats, please use the new Remake File Area. There are also some guidelines and tips I've posted for remakers to follow in order to make everything as smooth and easy as possible for the largest audience. Please read the Remaker Submission Guidelines.

Your remakes will go through the same process as before. They will be evaluated and approved by either myself or a file moderator.

Warbeats Certified Remakers

If you have extremely great remakes and can follow the guidelines, I will be looking to create a Warbeats Certified Remakers group. Please send me an example of your work via email (nfx@warbeats.com) if you are interested and willing to work with others on remakes (finding sounds, determining chords and notes, etc) be sure to apply.

We are testing a new chat system. It's not fully integrated into the site but it offers audio and video. We had great fun last weekend when our good friend Ronald Jenkees came through (thanks mrtape!).

Check it out here at Warbeats Chat page or at the external site: http://tinychat.com/warbeats

Warbeats family member, Mason D Levy a.k.a MdL creator of many free beat making tutorials has been grinding for years and has reached another level in his career by signing with Mike Caren and Atlantic Records. Watch his announcement where he details the people he has and will be working with as well as his commitment to continue to bring us his free advice and guidance via MySpace and Youtube.

If you haven't yet,  check out the Interview with MdL we did back in 2007. Also he released an Internet only mixtape called Sega Genesis Level 1 you might want to check out.

A couple new VIP only files have been added, A 170+ sampled drum kit and a small melody kit. Both sampled from a Motif XS, courtesy of Royal Beatz.

Go and check out some of his other kits. He's running a special right now where you buy any $5 or $10 kit and you can use the code WARBEATS at check out to get a second $5 kit free. Just put both kits in the cart and use the promo code at checkout.

Hurry only the first 200 customers will get this deal.

Andrew Carr made an nice 10 part tutorial series as an introduction to FL Studio. The series is called Feel The Beat With FL Studio. If you're just starting out with FL, this is a good place to start. Go to the Butterscotch page to see the vids, or check em out in our FL Studio Tutorial forum. Here's episode 1:

1. Illmind Wins Red Bull Big Tune Philadelphia Beat Battle
2. Red Bull Big Tune Beat Battle Chicago Finals
3. Crate Kings January Beat Battle w/ Special Guest Producer Judge Ski Beatz!

1. Cassette Tape Measure Is Analog Enhanced DIY
2. Cassette Tape Lamps (Tape Is Not Dead)
3. Mushy the Cassette Tape Keychain

1. Stretch Armstrong & Bobbito – WKCR Blog
2. DJ Neil Armstrong On Jay Z, Mixtapes, Asian DJ’s
3. Night Owl Record Show (Portland, OR)

1. Afrika Bambaataa RBMA Info Session & Workshop (Texas)
2. DJ Toomp Vs Chairman Mao At Red Bull Music Academy
3. Video of DJ Premier Making Beats on “Classic” Kanye West ft Nas, KRS-One, Rakim

1. Black Milk x Elzhi On Samples + Detroit Music History
2. Black Milk – Elec Mix (Download)
3. Black Milk – Red Bull Music Academy Session