FROM THE FIRST CLICK TO THE NEXT TAKE
How to use YouTube
inside FL Studio.
Barz is a VST3 plugin that puts the YouTube website inside FL Studio. Browse a beat, select it and load a linked WAV into the Playlist, so you can record using FL’s own playback controls.
This guide covers Barz for Windows. You need FL Studio with VST3 support and a valid Barz account. Create an account and choose your trial or membership. A tested Mac installer is not available yet.
Set up the YouTube-to-Playlist workflow
- Install and scan Barz. Close FL Studio before installing the Windows VST3. Reopen FL, use Options → Manage plugins → Find installed plugins, then open Barz in the Channel Rack. The installation and activation guide explains the full setup.
- Open YouTube in the plugin. Select YouTube at the top of Barz. Browse the actual site to find an artist, producer or type beat. You can also paste a YouTube link.
- Select the beat and wait for the waveform. Barz loads the audio and creates a linked WAV clip in the Playlist. The beat is routed to Mixer Insert 1. Check the detected BPM and key against the producer’s description when available.
- Start playback in FL. In Song mode, press Play or Space to play the Playlist arrangement. YouTube’s player is silent; FL handles the beat’s transport and mix.
Watch Barz running in FL Studio
This 29-second silent recording shows a beat selection, the Playlist waveform updating, a tempo change and playback in FL Studio.
Demo summary: choose a YouTube beat in Barz, wait for the linked WAV to update in FL’s Playlist, then start FL’s transport. The clip shows playback, not a live microphone recording.
Record vocals and keep searching for beats
Keep the beat on Mixer Insert 1 and use a separate mixer insert for your microphone. Write bars in Barz’s lyrics notepad, then switch to Read mode when you want Space to control playback. In writing mode, the spacebar types spaces.
Selecting another beat updates the linked Playlist WAV. If you want to keep a particular version, drag the waveform into the Playlist or a compatible sampler to make a separate copy. Use Keep with project and save your FL project to retain the loaded audio locally.
If you move or resize the linked clip and it stops updating, use Relink Playlist clip in Barz, select the intended WAV in FL and reopen the plugin. See the setup and troubleshooting guide.
Common questions
Can I use SoundCloud or BeatStars too?
Yes. Barz also includes SoundCloud and BeatStars browsing. Favourites and your saved playlists can contain beats from different sources, and FL remains in charge of playback.
Is Barz a YouTube plugin made by Image-Line?
No. Barz is independent software. It is not affiliated with Image-Line, YouTube, SoundCloud or BeatStars.
Does loading a WAV give me permission to release a song?
No. You still need the producer’s permission or an appropriate beat licence. Use the beat’s purchase link or producer contact details before releasing your recording.
Will my project work without YouTube?
WAV files you have saved locally remain ordinary audio files in FL. Browsing new beats and verifying Barz account access still require an internet connection.
What does Barz cost?
After a 30-day trial, choose £4.99/month, £49.95/year, or £79.99 once for three years with no automatic renewal. A card is required, and the signup page explains payment approval before you continue. Read the trial terms or join the newsletter.