PreSonus Atom SQ User Manual
ATOM SQ
Hybrid MIDI Keyboard / Pad Performance
and Production Controller
Owner’s Manual
®
www.presonus.com
English
Table of Contents
1 Overview — 1
3.2 Screen Controls — 18
3.2.1 Instrument Mode — 19
3.2.2 Song Mode — 23
1.1 Introduction — 1
1.2 Product Registration — 1
1.3 What’s in the box — 2
1.4 What’s in your MyPreSonus account — 2
1.5 Companion PreSonus Products — 3
1.6 Firmware Updates — 3
2 Standard Controller Mode — 4
2.1 Setup Mode — 4
2.2 Pads — 6
2.2.1 RGB Colors — 6
2.2.2 Triggering Notes — 6
2.2.3 Plus and Minus Pads — 6
2.3 Touch Strip — 7
2.4 A-H Buttons — 7
2.5 Knobs 1-8 — 7
2.6 Navigation Buttons — 7
2.7 Transport Buttons — 8
2.8 Screen Controls — 8
2.8.1 Instrument Mode — 8
2.8.2 Song Mode — 11
2.8.3 Editor Modes — 12
2.8.4 User Mode — 13
3 Advanced Studio One
Integration — 14
3.1 Controls — 14
3.2.3 Editor Modes — 25
3.2.4 User Mode — 29
4 Advanced Ableton Live
Integration — 32
4.1 Pads — 32
4.1.1 RGB Colors — 32
4.1.2 Triggering Notes or Clips — 32
4.1.3 Plus and Minus Pads — 32
4.1.4 Touch Strip — 32
4.1.5 A-H Buttons — 33
4.1.6 Knobs 1-8 — 33
4.1.7 Navigation Buttons — 34
4.1.8 Transport Buttons — 34
4.2 Screen Controls — 34
4.2.1 Instrument Mode — 35
4.2.2 Song Mode — 37
4.2.3 Editor Mode — 38
4.2.4 User Mode — 38
5 Studio One Artist Quick Start — 39
5.1 Installation and Authorization — 39
5.2 Setting Up Studio One — 40
5.2.1 Conguring Audio Devices — 41
5.2.2 Conguring MIDI Devices — 41
5.3 Creating a New Song — 45
5.3.1 Conguring Your Audio I/O — 45
5.3.2 Creating Audio and
Instrument Tracks — 47
3.1.1 Pad Controllers — 14
3.1.2 Touch Strip — 15
3.1.3 A-H Buttons — 15
3.1.4 Encoders — 15
3.1.5 Navigation Buttons — 16
3.1.6 Transport Buttons — 16
3.1.7 Global Controls — 16
5.3.3 Recording an Audio Track — 48
5.3.4 Adding Virtual Instruments
and Eects — 48
1 Overview
1.1 Introduction
1 Overview
1.1 Introduction
ATOM SQ
Owner’s Manual
Thank you for purchasing the PreSonus® ATOM SQ hybrid MIDI keyboard / pad
production and performance controller. ATOM SQ was designed as a versatile
and expressive MIDI pad controller for contemporary music production. Its
unique design is optimized for both classic TR-style 16-step beat sequencing and
drum pattern editing in Studio One or playing instruments and launching clips
in Ableton Live—yet its staggered and RGB-lit 32-pad conguration is instantly
familiar to anyone who’s played a controller keyboard. Advanced features let
you change the keyboard scale, and a built-in arpeggiator and user-congurable
touch strip make the ATOM SQ the most expressive controller you’ll ever use.
PreSonus Audio Electronics is committed to constant product improvement,
and we highly value your suggestions. We believe the best way to achieve our
goal of constant product improvement is by listening to the real experts: our
valued customers. We appreciate the support you have shown us through the
purchase of this product and are condent that you will enjoy your ATOM SQ!
About this manual: We suggest that you use this manual to familiarize yourself with
the features, applications, and workows for your ATOM SQ before trying to connect
it to your computer. This will help you to get better performances and faster results.
Throughout this manual, you will nd Power User Tips that can quickly make
you an ATOM SQ expert and help you get the most out of your investment.
1.2 Product Registration
PreSonus is committed to delivering the best experience for our
customers. My PreSonus is a one-stop portal for all our registered
customers’ needs. From your My PreSonus account, you can view all
your PreSonus hardware and software registrations; download drivers,
installers, and content; contact support; track orders and more.
To register your ATOM SQ:
Go to My.PreSonus.com and follow the onscreen instructions.
1
1 Overview
1.3 What’s in the box
1.3 What’s in the box
ATOM SQ
Owner’s Manual
Or
Download the MyPreSonus app from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
Your ATOM SQ package contains the following:
ATOM SQ hybrid MIDI keyboard / pad production and performance controller
PreSonus ATOM SQ Quick Start Guide
5’ (1.5m) USB cable
1.4 What’s in your MyPreSonus account
Once you register your ATOM SQ, you will be able to download the following:
Studio One Artist recording software and content
Universal Control (necessary for rmware updates)
Ableton Live Lite
EDM Elite Vol. 1 Library
Dirty Electro House Library
2
1 Overview
1.5 Companion PreSonus Products
1.5 Companion PreSonus Products
Thanks for choosing PreSonus! As a solutions company, we believe the best way to
take care of our customers (that’s you) is to ensure that you have the best possible
experience from the beginning of your signal chain to the end. To achieve this goal,
we’ve prioritized seamless integration throughout every design phase of these
products from day one. The result is systems that communicate with each other
as intended—straight out of the box—without excessive conguration hassles.
We’re here for you. Find out more at www.presonus.com.
ATOM SQ
Owner’s Manual
1.6 Firmware Updates
PreSonus is committed to constant product improvement. As part of this
commitment, we oer periodic rmware updates that add features, improve
functionality, and resolve issues that are discovered in the eld. Because
of this, it is highly recommended that you download Universal Control
from your My PreSonus account after registering your ATOM SQ.
Note: At the time of this manual’s publication, a rmware update is required for full
functionality of your ATOM SQ. You must download and install Universal Control and run
the rmware update on your unit.
During installation, you will be given the option to install various PreSonus
audio drivers. No driver installation is required to use the ATOM SQ.
Once installed, connect your ATOM SQ to your computer. Your
ATOM SQ is entirely bus-powered. If you are using a USB hub, make
sure you are connecting your ATOM SQ to a powered port.
Universal Control will alert you if there is new rmware available for your
ATOM SQ. Clicking on the Update Firmware button will begin the update process.
When the rmware update is complete, your ATOM SQ will reboot automatically.
3
2 Standard Controller Mode
2.1 Setup Mode
2 Standard Controller Mode
While ATOM SQ is seamlessly integrated with Studio One and Ableton
Live, it is also a versatile controller that can be used with just about
any production software. In Studio One and Ableton Live, ATOM
SQ will automatically congure itself and be ready for use.
To use ATOM SQ with other applications, you can choose from
the following modes (See Section 2.1 for details):
• MIDI Mode. Standard pad or keyboard controller with the exibility to
manually setup the controller to meet your production needs. While
in MIDI mode, you will see two MIDI ports in the MIDI Preferences
or Options for your software: ATM SQ and ATM SQ Control. Only the
ATM SQ port needs to be congured to Send or Receive MIDI.
• Mackie MCU Mode. A hybrid control mode allowing
exibility and basic control surface support.
• Mackie HUI Mode. A hybrid control mode allowing exibility and basic
control surface support. This is the recommended mode for Pro Tools.
To use MCU or HUI modes, most software applications will require the ATOM SQ to
be set up as a control surface. Consult your application’s reference manual for setup instructions. Ensure that a Mackie MCU or Mackie HUI device has been created
and the MIDI ports are set to “ATM SQ Control” for both sending and receiving.
ATOM SQ
Owner’s Manual
2.1 Setup Mode
Setup Mode: Page 1
Press the round Setup button to open Setup mode on the ATOM SQ display.
1 2 3
Screen
Mono
Pressure
4 5
LEDs Default
100%
Setup
Threshold Velocity
Settings100%
MedHigh
6
1. Screen. When selected, the Screen Encoder adjusts
the overall brightness of the screen
2. LEDs. When selected, the Screen Encoder adjusts the
overall brightness of all pads and buttons.
3. Default Settings. Resets ALL settings back to default.
4
2 Standard Controller Mode
2.1 Setup Mode
ATOM SQ
Owner’s Manual
4. Pressure. When selected, the Screen Encoder changes the type
of pressure message being sent after an initial strike:
• Mono. Monophonic aftertouch.
• Poly. Polyphonic aftertouch.
• CC. Sends a MIDI message that can easily be MIDI
learned by software (monophonic).
• O. No pressure message will be sent.
Note: Monophonic aftertouch, Polyphonic aftertouch, and MIDI learn is not
supported by all applications.
5. Threshold. When selected, the Screen Encoder changes how
much pressure is needed before a pressure message is sent:
• Low. Not much pressure is needed to send a pressure message.
• Med. More pressure is needed to send a pressure message.
• High. The most amount of pressure needed to send a pressure message.
6. Velocity. When selected, the Screen Encoder changes how ATOM
SQ will interpret strikes on the pads (velocity curve):
• Soft. For players that prefer to strike pads lightly.
• Med. Suitable for most players.
• Hard. For players that prefer to strike pads with force.
Setup Mode: Page 2
1 2 3
A-H
MCU
Mode
4 5
Clock Mardi Gras
120 BPM
Setup
Mode Mode
OffBank/Oct
MIDIHUI
6
1. A-H buttons. When selected, the Screen Encoder
ips the primary and secondary modes.
• Bank/Oct. Pessing the A-H buttons will change banks or
octaves. Pressing and holding the Shift button while using the
A-H buttons will send a MIDI learnable MIDI message.
• CC. Pressing the A-H buttons will send a MIDI learnable
MIDI message. Pressing and holding the Shift button while
using the A-H buttons will change banks or octaves.
2. Clock. When selected while in Internal clock mode, turning the
Screen Encoder will change the clock’s BPM. When an External
Clock is being sent from a host, External Clock will be displayed
and BPM will not be adjustable from your ATOM SQ.
3. Mardi Gras. When pressed, all buttons, pads, and LEDs will cycle on/
o or change colors. Press the Mardi Gras button again to disable.
5
2 Standard Controller Mode
2.2 Pads
Setup Mode: Page 3
ATOM SQ
Owner’s Manual
4. MCU Mode. When selected, the Transport buttons, navigation
buttons, and the display buttons for the rst page of Song
mode will send common Mackie MCU commands.
5. HUI Mode. When selected, the Transport buttons, navigation
buttons, and the display buttons for the rst page of Song
mode will send common Mackie HUI commands.
6. MIDI Mode. This is default mode for ATOM SQ that allows for user customization.
Note: HUI and MCU mode functions will vary depending on the software application
being used. Mardi Gras, MCU, HUI, and MIDI modes are not available while using
Studio One.
Version 1.10
Setup
The last page of Setup Mode displays the rmware
version installed on your ATOM SQ.
2.2 Pads
2.2.1 RGB Colors
Pads change color depending on which pad layout mode is
selected. Pad color can also be changed in certain modes.
2.2.2 Triggering Notes
All 32 pads are velocity sensitive. Strikes with less force result in a quiet sound,
and strikes with more force result in a louder sound (unless Full Velocity or
16-vel is enabled). All pads are also sensitive to pressure. After striking and
pressing down on a pad, more or less pressure can be applied to control multiple
expressive parameters such as Aftertouch are available in your software.
2.2.3 Plus and Minus Pads
The + and - pads are pressure sensitive buttons. They can be assigned to either Pitch
Bend or Octave Up/Down commands.
6
2 Standard Controller Mode
2.3 Touch Strip
2.3 Touch Strip
2.4 A-H Buttons
ATOM SQ
Owner’s Manual
The touch strip adds expressive control to ATOM SQ. The touch
strip can be assigned to musical functions like Pitch Bend,
Modulation Wheel, etc. See Section 2.8.4 for details.
The A-H buttons can change the current drum bank or change the current Octave
in Keyboard layout. In Keyboard layout, the A button is used as a momentary button
for Sustain (press and hold to Sustain). Alternatively, if Shift is held, the A-H buttons
send commands that can be assigned using MIDI Learn in supported software.
2.5 Knobs 1-8
The 8 main knobs can be used to control parameters in your software.
Power User Tip: These knobs have a velocity multiplier built in. The
faster they are turned, the more quickly they reach min or max.
2.6 Navigation Buttons
The Up, Down, Left, and Right navigation buttons to the left of the Shift button
will change their functions depending on which mode ATOM SQ is in. In MCU
or HUI modes, they can go to the next or previous track or control some Zoom
functions. In MIDI mode, these buttons can be freely assigned in your software.
7
2 Standard Controller Mode
1 2 3
2.7 Transport Buttons
2.7 Transport Buttons
MCU/HUI mode
ATOM SQ
Owner’s Manual
While in MCU and HUI modes, these are dedicated transport buttons.
Some buttons have a primary and secondary command when Shift is held
at the same time. In MIDI Mode, these buttons are freely assignable.
• Stop. Stops the transport from playing.
• Shift + Stop. Undo the last command or action.
This is not available in all software.
• Play. Starts the transport from the point of the playhead.
• Shift + Play. Enables or disables Loop.
• Record. Begins recording from the point of the
playhead. This is not available in all software.
• Shift + Record. Saves the current song. This is not available in all software.
• Metronome. Enables or disables the Metronome.
This is not available in all software.
2.8 Screen Controls
2.8.1 Instrument Mode
2.8.1.1 Pad Conguration
ATOM SQ’s screen functions use a paging system to accommodate many dierent
commands and controls. The Page Left and Page Right buttons below the
Screen Encoder will page through multiple screen commands, if available.
Power User Tip: To quickly jump back to the rst page, press the mode button a
second time.
Press a screen button to select a function or enable/disable it. Use the
Screen Encoder to change the selected screen parameter value.
Instrument mode will change the screen to display functions used to control a virtual
instrument and to access the Arpeggiator Mode built into the ATOM SQ rmware.
Pads
Key
Range
0
Octave
+3
Pad Configuration
Chrom
Scale
4 5
Root
C
All
Velocity
6
1. Pads. When selected, the Screen Encoder will change
how the layout of the pads appear:
8
2 Standard Controller Mode
2.8 Screen Controls
ATOM SQ
Owner’s Manual
• Keys. Follows the layout of a piano. White keys on the bottom lane
and black keys on the top lane. If a Scale type other than Chromatic is
selected, the bright pads will guide you to play the correct notes in the
scale. The dim pads are considered “wrong notes” but are still playable.
• Blocks. Assigns one drum bank to the left side and one
drum bank to the right side. The rst bank begins on
Pad 1 and the second bank begins on Pad 9.
• Continuous. Assigns all pitches from left to right starting from the bottom
lane (pads 1-16), then continuing in the upper lane (pads 17-32).
2. Range/Transpose. When selected, turning the Screen Encoder will
either change the viewable range of the keyboard in Key mode, or
transpose the pads in either Blocks or Continuous modes.
3. Octave. When selected, the Screen Encoder will transpose the
pads note assignments up or down in musical octaves (7 possible
octaves). Octave can also be changed using the B-H buttons.
4. Scale. When selected, the Screen Encoder will change the pads note
assignments and constrain them to the selected musical Scale.
• Chromatic, all possible notes are available
• Major
• Melodic Minor
• Harmonic Minor
• Natural Minor
• Major Pentatonic
• Minor Pentatonic
• Blues
• Dorian Minor
• Mixolydian
• Phrygian
5. Root. When selected, the Screen Encoder will change the Root note of a scale (C,
C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G, G#, A, A#, B). The Root note is indicated by the green pads.
6. Velocity. When selected, the Screen Encoder will
toggle between three velocity modes.
• All. The pads can trigger all possible velocities from 1-127
• Full. The pads will send a xed velocity of 127
• 16-vel. Only available when in Blocks or Continuous modes, 16-vel
takes a selected MIDI note from the top lane, and maps the selected
note across 16 possible xed velocities in the bottom lane. Pad 1 is
xed at a velocity of 7, and pad 16 is xed at a velocity of 127.
9
2 Standard Controller Mode
2.8 Screen Controls
2.8.1.2 Arpeggiator
ATOM SQ
Owner’s Manual
Press the right arrow button below the Screen Encoder to
navigate to the Arpeggiator Page. Please note: Arpeggiator Mode
will only remain engaged while on the arpeggiator page.
1 2 3
Mode
Up
Off
Arp
4 5
Swing
Arpeggiator
1/16
Rate
Clear
0%
Sequence
1
Octaves
6
1. Mode. When selected, the Screen Encoder changes
the Play Mode for the Arpeggitator.
• Up. The arpeggio starts at the lowest held note and travels upward through
the held notes, then returns to the lowest note as the arpeggio begins again.
• Down. The arpeggio starts at the highest held note and
travels downward through the held notes, then returns
to the highest note as the arpeggio begins again.
• Up/Down. The arpeggio starts at the lowest held note,
travels upward to the highest, then travels back down to
the lowest note, and the arpeggio begins again.
• Down/Up. The arpeggio starts at the highest held note,
travels downward to the lowest, then travels back up to
the highest note, and the arpeggio begins again.
• Random. The arpeggio plays the currently held notes in a random pattern.
• Chord. The currently held chord (or single note)
is repeated as long as it is held.
• Input. The arpeggio pattern is derived from the
order in which notes are played and held.
2. Swing. When selected, the Screen Encoder will adjust the
amount of Swing that is applied to the sequence.
3. Clear Sequence. Stops a held sequence.
10
2 Standard Controller Mode
2.8 Screen Controls
2.8.2 Song Mode
MCU/HUI Page 1
ATOM SQ
Owner’s Manual
4. Arp. Toggles between the Arpeggiator’s O, On, and Hold modes.
5. Rate. When selected, the Screen Encoder will adjust how fast or
slow the arpeggiator steps through each note in the sequence.
6. Octave. When selected, the Screen Encoder will change how many
octaves the sequence will step through before restarting.
When in MCU or HUI modes, Song mode’s rst page will display commonly
used functions and commands for your project. In Song mode’s second page,
the screen buttons are freely MIDI assignable and are labeled as buttons
1-6. In MIDI mode, only the assignable buttons appear on page 1.
1 2 3
Solo Mute Arm
Song
Zoom Cursor
4 5
1. Solo. Solos the currently selected track.
2. Mute. Mutes the currently selected track.
3. Arm. Record arms the currently selected track.
4. Zoom. When latched, the Screen Encoder as well as the Navigation
Left or Right arrows will control horizontal zooming.
5. Cursor. When latched, the Screen Encoder will
move the playhead across the timeline.
11
2 Standard Controller Mode
2.8 Screen Controls
2.8.3 Editor Modes
ATOM SQ
Owner’s Manual
Press the Editor button to access the Control Editor. This Control Editor lets you
customize the messages sent from the dierent controllers on your ATOM SQ. Move
a knob, press a button, touch the Touch Strip, or press a pad to edit the controller.
To change the assignment of the Touch Strip from the Control Editor, you must rst
put it in CC mode. This can be done from the User menu. See Section 2.1 for details.
Knob 1-8, A-H buttons, or Touch Strip Editor, page 1
Store to Preset Reset
Current 1
Control Editor
25
CC Channel
Note: Channel is not available when the touch strip is selected.
Knob 1-8, or Touch Strip Editor, page 2
Control
1
Store to Preset Reset
ControlCurrent 1
Control Editor
1271
Min Max
Note: Min and Max are not available when one of the A-H buttons is selected.
Pad Editor
Store to Preset Reset
ControlCurrent 1
Control Editor
1
Channel
12
2 Standard Controller Mode
2.8 Screen Controls
2.8.4 User Mode
ATOM SQ
Owner’s Manual
1 2
Touch
CC
Page 1
Knob
3 4
+/-
Pitch
Page 1
Button
1. Touch Strip. When selected, the Screen Encoder will
change how the touch strip behaves:
• Range. Touching and sliding will change the viewable range in Key
mode or change transposition in Blocks or Continuous modes.
• Mod. Touching and sliding will control Mod Wheel messages
from from minimum (left) to maximum (right).
• Pitch. Touching and sliding will control Pitch Bend messages.
While active, pitch always resets to center.
• CC. Touching and sliding will control the CC message sent
via the strip from minimum (left) to maximum (right).
• Arp, the touch strip will use the 8 divisions (tall white lines) to
change the arpeggiator’s rate. From left to right: 1/4, 1/8, 1/16,
1/32, 1/4T, 1/8T, 1/16T, 1/32T. In this mode, all red LEDs will
remain o indicating that the Touch Strip is controlling rate.
2. +/-. When selected, the Screen Encoder will change
how the + and - buttons behave:
• Pitch. The plus and minus buttons control pitch bend using
pressure. The Plus button sends pitch up and the Minus button
sends pitch down. Releasing a button will reset back to center.
• Octave. The plus and minus buttons will cycle up
(plus) or down (minus) through octaves.
3. Knobs. When selected, the Screen Encoder will change the
MIDI assignments for Knobs 1-8 (4 pages/banks total).
4. A-H MIDI. When selected, the Screen Encoder will change the assignments
for the A-H buttons MIDI messages (2 pages/banks total).
13
3 Advanced Studio One Integration
3.1 Controls
3 Advanced Studio One Integration
When ATOM SQ is connected to Studio One, the Studio One logo light on the
ATOM SQ will turn blue. No setup is required. Studio One will automatically
detect and enable your ATOM SQ for advanced integrated control.
To conrm External Device settings, click on the External Devices link on
the Studio One Start page and select the ATOM SQ device. From here, you
can conrm that both the Send and Receive ports are set to “ATOM SQ.”
Please note that the ATOM SQ pads, buttons, and touch strip LEDs will remain dark and
the screen will not have any functions until a New Song is created or an existing Song is
opened.
Once a New Song is created, all pads will turn white, the screen will default to
Inst (Instrument) mode and bank buttons A-H will be active, however, until an
Instrument is loaded into Studio One, the pads and bank buttons have no function.
3.1 Controls
3.1.1 Pad Controllers
All 32 pads on your ATOM SQ are velocity-sensitive. Strikes with less force result
in a quiet sound, while strikes with more force result in a louder sound (unless
Full Velocity is enabled). All pads are also sensitive to pressure. After striking
and pressing down on a pad, more or less pressure can be applied to control
multiple expressive parameters in Studio One when available (i.e. Aftertouch).
The + and - pads are pressure-sensitive pads only. They can be
assigned to either Pitch Bend or Breath/Mod Wheel commands
The pads on your ATOM SQ will change colors dynamically, depending
on what they are currently controlling in Studio One as follows:
• Impact XT. While controlling an instance of Impact XT, the pads on your ATOM
SQ will match the corresponding color of each pad in Impact XT. These colors
can be changed from within Impact XT. Impact XT as 8 banks of 16 pads.
Because ATOM SQ features two 16-pad banks, it will display two Impact XT
banks simultaneously for quick access to multiple banks: A/B, C/D, E/F, and G/H.
Banks can be changed using the A-H bank buttons. When triggering a sound in
Impact XT, the pad on your ATOM SQ will change to white while being pressed.
• Native Studio One or third-party virtual instruments. When controlling
virtual instruments, the pads on your ATOM SQ will reect the current Layout
Mode you have selected. For most virtual instruments, Keyboard Mode will be
the best choice. When active, Keyboard mode changing the function of the
ATOM SQ pads to behave in a traditional piano layout. Continuous or Scale Only
will lay out notes from left to right starting with Pad 1. When triggering a sound,
each pad on your ATOM SQ will change to Light Blue while being pressed.
Note: The root of a scale will change color depending on your current track color.
• Pattern Editors. While the Pattern Editor in Studio One is active, the top lane
of pads on your ATOM SQ can be used to select the sample or note you would
like to program. The bottom lane of pads control 16 steps of the Studio One
step sequencer, allowing the programming of 16 steps in banks of 16. This
is true for both Drum and Melodic Pattern Modes. While in a pattern mode,
octaves or banks can be changed using the A-H bank buttons. A step that is
On will be at full pad brightness while a step that is O will be very dim. As the
sequence plays, the pad brightness of the current step will be slightly dim.
ATOM SQ
Owner’s Manual
14
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