PreSonus has recently announced the launch of its new pad controller dubbed as Atom which is both a compact, dynamic performance controller and a versatile production controller. Right from producing beats, playing virtual instruments, and triggering sound effects and looping in real time, Atom is claimed to offer unsurpassed expressiveness and flexibility using its 16 full-size, velocity and pressure-sensitive RGB pads with selectable pad velocity curves and pad pressure thresholds, 8 assignable pad banks, and other controls. It carries a street price of USD 149.95.
Atom connects to a computer via USB and is compatible with most music software but it especially shines when used with the included Studio One Artist production software for Mac and Windows. Atom and Studio One integrate tightly to deliver a blazingly fast, professional-style workflow. When used with Studio One, Atom enables you to browse virtual instruments and add them to your session, change instrument presets, create loop points and navigate the timeline, change song tempo, edit and quantize MIDI events, zoom in and out on the timeline or events, control Studio One’s transport, and more.
Along with 16 RGB pads and 8 pad banks, you get 4 programmable rotary encoders and 20 assignable buttons, enabling you to navigate and set more parameters faster. MIDI Keyboard mode, Note Repeat mode, and Full Velocity mode enable you to custom control your instruments.
In addition to production applications, the velocity and pressure-sensitive pads are great for playing virtual instruments live onstage. You can set up the pad banks for a full virtual drum set and perform beats and even play multiple Atoms at once to put on an exciting live show.
The company offers a huge library of virtual instruments, loops, and drum kits with Studio One Artist, along with a carefully curated MVP Loops loop and one-shot library custom-designed for Atom.
