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ATOM Review – Production and Performance Pad Controller by PreSonus

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ATOM by PreSonus Review

ATOM Production and Performance Pad Controller is an essential hardware device for Studio One 4 (DAW) user. PreSonus did send a review copy with no strings attached. These kinds of controller help producer that are not so worried about software, want to move outside the box or experiencing challenges with the complexity of their DAW Software instruments or want to have a touch point again besides using a mouse. When you perform live music, use as your DAW Studio One the ATOM and similar controllers used with your DAW are a must have.

Atom Controller

Installation

You unpack it, remove some labels and connect it via USB to your PC or MAC computer. You may need to update the firmware. I did update my ATOM when I received it directly from PreSonus. To verify that you have the latest OS on the controller installed you want to use Universal Control. If you’re going to use the controller within Studio One, you need the latest Version 4.

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Sound

Presonus Atom is an enhanced performance and drum pad controller. ATOM was designed mainly to be used with Studio One 4. It is a compact and very lightweight but also robust controller. The main section of the controller is 16 velocity- and pressure-sensitive pad. The performance pads shine in different colors. Also, you receive four programmable rotary encoders and 20 assignable buttons. ATOM central existence is to enable you to perform drum tracks in a very natural way. For many producers, the most crucial benefit of ATOM is to limit the use your mouse in your DAW and be quicker with your workflow in Studio One.

Atom in package

With the 16 velocity-sensitive drum pads you can speed up your performances, the pads do support aftertouch. Comparing them to my Maschine I found that the PADs are less noise and I prefer that they are quiet when you hit them with your fingers. ATOM enables you to use a simplified workflow with your Studio One DAW.

ATOM comes with Studio One® Artist recording and production software for Mac® and Windows®. Studio One enables you to compose, record, and produce your first songs. More experience producer can use the ATOM device with the Pro Version of Studio One or in many other DAW.

ATOM’s direct hardware integration with Studio One allows you to:

  • Browse virtual instruments and add them to your session
  • Change instrument presets
  • Create looping points and navigate the timeline
  • Change your song’s tempo
  • Edit and quantize MIDI events
  • Zoom in and out on the timeline or events
  • Control Studio One’s transport
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ATOM Features:

  • 16 full-size velocity- and pressure-sensitive, RGB LED pads
  • Pressure switchable between MIDI aftertouch, channel pressure, and CC messages
  • 8 assignable pad banks
  • Selectable pad velocity curves and pad pressure thresholds
  • 20 assignable buttons
  • 4 endless rotary encoders
  • MIDI “keyboard” mode
  • Note Repeat mode
  • Full Velocity mode (only send velocity 127)

ATOM supports a lot of Studio One functions that you can master intuitively right from the hardware. It offers the perfect integration with Studio One 4 and allows you to perform production steps by the hardware controller.

User interface & Usability

The Atom is very sturdy and the pads are great, it is of excellent build quality.

ATOM Top Panel Overview
Top Panel Overview
  1. Status Indicator. This LED will change color to indicate whether Studio One Native control is active or not. When Studio One is connected, the LED will illuminate blue. For other applications, it will illuminate green.
  2. Knobs 1-4. These knobs transmit MIDI CC14-17 respectively.
  3. Pressure- and Velocity-sensitive controller pads. These 16 pads can be used to trigger samples and sounds within your software. Two different control modes, as well as several advanced customization options, are available.
  4. Bank. Use this button to switch between pad banks 1-8. Each bank can control a unique group of 16 individual sounds for a total of 128.
  5. Full Level. When engaged, every pad will trigger its assigned sound at full strike velocity (127) no matter how soft or hard you hit.
  6. Note Repeat. Also known as “roll,” note repeat allows you to trigger a sound at a specified rate as long as the pad is held. See Section 2.1 for details.
  7. Setup. This button provides access to advanced configuration features.
  8. Assignable Controls. The remaining buttons have specialized functions in Studio One. These buttons send unique MIDI CC messages and can be used for many purposes in other applications.

For a full description on how Studio One 4 is integrating with the controller take a look at the manual that you can find here.

Rating:  Five out of five stars

For a Studio One version 4 and above music producer using the ATOM controller is an excellent gear and helps you to navigate in Studio One quicker and enables you to perform live on when composing with these kinds of PAD controller. ATOM is compatible with other DAW software and lets you play and produce with virtual instruments and trigger samples and loops in real-time, using 16 full-size, velocity- and pressure-sensitive RGB pads life pad banks.

Atom is the perfect companion for beat production in Studio One 4. Drum sampler like Impakt XT develops a new life when used with these kinds of drum pad controller. Presonus Atom is a very lightweight, robust and portable drum pad controller.

For a Studio One 4 user ATOM as a controller for your favorite DAW is a must buy.

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Virtual Instrument Library

Powerful New Studio Monitors Introduced: PreSonus R-Series V2 Active AMT

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PreSonus has just announced its new R-Series V2 Active AMT Monitors. These monitors have been updated to include three different Acoustic Space settings, which allow you to compensate for the acoustic results of speaker placement against a wall or in a corner. They also come with Low Cutoff, Mid Frequency, and High-Frequency controls, allowing you to make adjustments on your monitor mix as needed.

Second-generation R65 V2 and R80 active AMT studio monitors

PreSonus®, the world leader in recording and mixing equipment, has introduced its second-generation R65 V2 and R80 active AMT studio monitors. The new speakers feature more extensive control than their original counterparts with an improved Acoustic Tuning technology that incorporates analog controls from PreSonus’ celebrated Eris® line into these impressive speaker models!

The Acoustic Space Control really lets you take the sound of your speakers in a number of different directions. The Low Cutoff setting allows for thin, shrill tones while High-Frequency Compensation shifts things up with deep bass and treble response to make sure there’s no distortion at higher volumes. There are three positions on this switch: Wall/Corner Placement Compensates when placed against walls or corners; Open Air Mode removes room effects by outputting straight into an open area without absorption by objects around it – perfect if playing near windowsills! Finally, 140W Class A/B Amplifier power guarantees smooth playback even at high volumes.

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Powerful New Studio Monitors Introduced: PreSonus R-Series V2 Active AMT 45

Air Motion Transformer (AMT)

The new R65 and 80 monitors feature a custom-designed 6.8 square inch Air Motion Transformer (AMT) tweeter that responds to the subtlest waveforms and high frequencies, making them an ideal choice for those who want their listening experience ultra-highs with more “air” in the sound field as well as dimensionality when listening close up or far away from speakers on stage

The original series of Yamaha’s onstage monitor speaker line has been expanded even further; now there are two different versions: TheR65V2 and the R80 V2.

You’ve never heard anything like it. The AMT folded Kapton membrane is so thin that it offers wave-cycle accurate transient reproduction, which means you can hear every detail in your music: from gentle breath to subtle finger noise and nuances of brass or woodwinds with exquisite reverb tails gracefully decay – all without any distortion!

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Minimal reflections off your desk or floor

The R-series V2 tweeter enables 8 to 13 times the projectability of more traditional designs, while its housing design confines the projection area in a narrow horizontal plane. This results in an extremely wide “sweet spot” with minimal reflections off your desk or floor that provide consistent sound playback no matter what environment you’re listening from!

The R80 V2 features an eight-inch, custom-woven composite woofer that offers consistent low-end dispersion across its frequency range. The smaller 6 1/2″ woofer in the R65 has been designed with a similar design and delivers high-quality sound at lower volume levels for those seeking more intimate listening experiences!

The BXR is a perfect fit for those looking to record their music on the go. Its balanced XLR input connections make hookup quick and easy, while its ¼ inch TRS outputs allow you to connect with any line-level sources that are available in studio or live environments alike. Safety features include RF shielding current limiting over-temperature protection subsonic/ultra low-frequency dampening which helps prevent annoying vibrations if not wound correctly!

Pricing and Availability

PreSonus R65 V2 and R80 V2 studio monitors are available immediately at PreSonus dealers for U.S. street prices of $329.95 and $429.95, respectively. The new R-series V2 monitors replace the original R-series monitors, which have been discontinued. 

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Presonus

New PreSonus Universal Control Update Directly Supports M1 Macs

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PreSonus Universal Control 3 4 2 update

PreSonus® has released Universal Control 3.4.2, a milestone update to its multi-product control and driver software package that includes full support for Apple Silicon M1-based Mac®computers. All currently supported PreSonus hardware—including all USB audio interfaces (AudioBox and Studio series), Quantum-series Thunderbolt interfaces, StudioLive® mixers (16.0.2 USB, AR series, and Series III), ATOM-series pad controllers, and FaderPort®-series control surfaces—now works natively with M1-based Macs.

Universal Control provides the foundation upon which all FireStudio interfaces and Studio Live Mixers operate when connected to your Mac or PC. Universal Control 3.4.2 includes a firmware update for the PreSonus Quantum 4848 interface and for the company’s ATOM and ATOM SQ pad controllers. ATOM SQ now connects correctly on macOS® Big Sur 11.2 and later. Connectivity has been improved with some Windows® systems, as well. The update also implements pad performance adjustments for both units.

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PreSonus Adds 9.7GB GB of New Sample and Loop Libraries to PreSonus Sphere

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PreSonus Adds Nearly 10 GB of New Sample and Loop Libraries to PreSonus Sphere

New Sample and Loop Libraries

PreSonus has added 19 new sample and loop libraries to its PreSonus Sphere global online community.

PreSonus® released 19 new sample and loop libraries to PreSonus Sphere. Since its launch, PreSonus has consistently added at least one new library or Studio One® Add-on to PreSonus Sphere every single month; however, the addition of more than 9.7 GB of libraries at once represents by far the largest expansion of PreSonus Sphere content since the global online community was launched in July 2020.

The new libraries are royalty-free. All include Audioloops construction kits, compatible with Studio One Prime, Artist, and Professional version 3.5.5 and higher; and Impact XT kits, which are compatible with Studio One Artist and Professional version 4 and higher.

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PreSonus Adds 9.7GB GB of New Sample and Loop Libraries to PreSonus Sphere 54

PreSonus Sphere members can download any and all of these libraries from their PreSonus Sphere accounts:

  • The 4 Forty library brings an eclectic mix of modern drum sounds, lush synth sounds, dramatic piano riffs, funky basslines, and more, in the styles of Jay-Z, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, and other hitmakers.
  • Afro Pop is equal parts pop sensibility and exotic percussion, mixed with infectious grooves in a Caribbean-inspired cocktail that will put a smile on your face.
  • Changes is a great choice for lovers of old-school R&B, with 808 kicks, slow synth grooves, and ear-catching beats.
  • Core Drum Kit construction kits target modern genres with punchy kicks, booming 808s, cracking snares and claps, clean percussion, silky smooth hi-hats and cymbals, and inspiring melodies.
  • Loaded with moody keys, dope synths, crisp drums, and booming sub-basses, Dark Moon delivers just the right amount of alien textures to make your grooves stand out.
  • Dream presents today’s drama-drenched, Top 40-inspired, uplifting sounds, with bold piano melodies, strings, huge synths, leads, basses, and cracking drums—perfect for collaborations of hip-hop and R&B.
  • Loaded with slick synth melodies, punchy kicks, theatrical orchestra hits, and more, Drip is perfect for modern productions with the ears of Music Supervisors in mind.
  • Feelings deliver lush pads, dreamy piano leads, hot drum patterns, and moving basslines all designed to inspire your next creation.
  • Harlem 72 is loaded with disco beats, funky basslines, and a string section ready for its guest-starring role in Shaft, delivering the authentic sound of the ‘70s.
  • Latin Trap combines catchy Latin dance-inspired melodies with hard-hitting trap drums and 808s that will make your walls shake.
  • Add positive vibes to your high-energy EDM productions with Lights, featuring four-on-the-floor kicks, uplifting arpeggiated synths, driving basslines, drops, sound effects, and more.
  • Lust and Loyalty will turn up the romance and the heat in your R&B and modern ballad productions, with soft piano melodies, lush strings, silky-smooth basslines, and slow synth leads that will keep you creating all night.
  • Loaded with radio-ready melodies, hard-hitting drums, lush synth pads, and stabbing leads, Mainstreams provides a flexible mix of loops and samples that will inspire just about any production, from ambient house to pop ballads, EDM to trap.
  • Great for hip hop, pop, trap, soul, funk, R&B, and more, Modern Melodix XXL captures the diversity of the Los Angeles music scene, with growling basslines, snapping grooves, Afro-pop guitars, rocking B3s, and Latin percussion.
  • Purple 6 is a collection in the styles of multi-platinum artists such as Drake, Future, Travis Scott, and more, with synth leads, sub-bass lines, punchy strings, and glitchy drums.
  • Smoke Shop delivers the sounds of the West Coast classics with a modern edge in the style of Kendrick Lamar, SchoolboyQ and YG, with one-shots, riffs, full mixes, and drum and instrument mixes.
  • Sound Mob Live Edition Vol. 2 is a comprehensive and unique library for modern hip-hop, rap, R&B, and soul productions, including a live one-shot drum kit and drum rolls, live guitar, live bass, keys, strings, and live percussion.
  • Street-ready and full of grit, Trap Moves is loaded with haunting melodies, rapid-fire drum rolls, and 808’s that will make the earth shake beneath your feet.
  • Packed with unique pop melodies that are a must-have for big songs, Urban Paparazzi includes big keys, synths, basses, and unique drum patterns.

Pricing and Availability

With these new products, PreSonus Sphere members now have access to 73 sample and loop libraries, every PreSonus add-on for Studio One and Notion®, online collaboration tools, and monthly exclusive livestreams and master classes, plus licenses for both Studio One Professional and Notion. PreSonus Sphere memberships are available for $14.95/month or $164.95/year.

ln addition to being available to PreSonus Sphere members, these new libraries can be purchased individually at the PreSonus Shop

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