FL Studio
How to Make 808 Slides in FL Studio (Portamento Done Right)
The sliding 808 is the backbone of modern trap and drill. In FL Studio there are three ways to get it — from quickest to most controlled.
Method 1: Slide notes (native FL samplers)
In the Piano Roll, click the slide icon (triangle, top-left) and draw a note where you want the pitch to land. The 808 glides from the previous note over the slide note's length. Longer slide note = slower glide. Works in the stock Sampler, FLEX and Sytrus — this is the classic FL workflow other DAWs envy.
Method 2: Portamento in 3xOsc / plugins
Set the channel to mono and turn up the slide/porta knob; overlapping notes now glide automatically. In third-party plugins (Serum, Vital) enable mono + portamento in the plugin itself.
Method 3: Pitch automation
Right-click the channel pitch knob → Create automation clip, then draw the bend. Most work, most control — good for long cinematic drops. Set the pitch range to ±12 for full-octave bends.
Making them hit
- Slide into the root notes of your progression — land on chord tones.
- Keep slides short in drill (a half-beat) and longer in melodic trap.
- One knock at a time: mono 808, no chords.
- Tune your 808 to the track's key first — check it with the free Key & BPM Finder.
Building drill? The full pattern recipe is in our drill guide.
Tune your 808s to the right key →Find any sample's key free — drop the file, get the answer.Frequently asked questions
How do I make an 808 glide in FL Studio?
Use slide notes: click the slide icon in the Piano Roll and place a note where the pitch should land — the 808 glides there over the note's length.
Why don't my 808 slides work?
Slide notes only work with FL's native plugins (Sampler, FLEX, Sytrus). For third-party plugins, enable mono mode and portamento inside the plugin instead.
Should 808s be in key?
Yes — the 808 usually IS the bassline, so tune it to the track's root notes or the low end will fight the melody.