automation is a pain in the arse you can record the automation live but i dont like doing that and yeah the grids are very hard to get used to i mainly do everything in midi apart from the drums. the sequencer is my favourite. i rarely use loops if i do sample its using the fruity slicer and midi it
the new updates though let you do automation way more easily fl has had loads of updates. ive tried others but i just like how you can get the drums down so quick how you want them