ATOM SQ Hybrid MIDI Keyboard / Pad Performance and Production Controller Owner’s Manual ® www.presonus.
Table of Contents 3.2 Screen Controls — 18 3.2.1 Instrument Mode — 19 1 Overview — 1 3.2.2 Song Mode — 23 1.1 Introduction — 1 3.2.3 Editor Modes — 25 1.2 Product Registration — 1 3.2.4 User Mode — 31 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 4 Advanced Ableton Live Integration — 33 4.1 Control Functions — 33 4.1.1 RGB Colors — 33 4.1.
1 1.1 ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Overview Introduction 1 Overview 1.1 Introduction 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.
1 1.3 ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Overview What’s in the box Or Download the MyPreSonus app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. 1.3 What’s in the box 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.
1 1.5 1.5 Overview Companion PreSonus Products ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual 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.
2 2.1 ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Standard Controller Mode 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 configure 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.
2 2.1 ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Standard Controller Mode Setup Mode 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). • Off. No pressure message will be sent. Note: Monophonic aftertouch, Polyphonic aftertouch, and MIDI learn is not supported by all applications. 5. Threshold.
2 2.2 ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Standard Controller Mode Pads 4. MCU Mode. When selected, the Transport buttons, navigation buttons, and the display buttons for the first 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 first 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.
2 2.3 2.3 Standard Controller Mode Touch Strip ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Touch Strip 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. 2.4 A-H Buttons 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).
2 2.7 ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Standard Controller Mode Transport Buttons 2.7 Transport Buttons 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. MCU/HUI mode 2.8 • Stop. Stops the transport from playing. • Shift + Stop. Undo the last command or action. This is not available in all software. • Play.
2 2.8 ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Standard Controller Mode Screen Controls • Key. 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.
2 2.8 ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Standard Controller Mode Screen Controls 2.8.1.2 Arpeggiator 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 Swing Clear Up 0% Sequence Arpeggiator Off 1/16 1 Arp Rate Octaves 4 5 6 1. Mode. When selected, the Screen Encoder changes the Play Mode for the Arpeggitator. • Up.
2 2.8 ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Standard Controller Mode Screen Controls 4. Arp. Toggles between the Arpeggiator’s Off, 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. Octaves. When selected, the Screen Encoder will change how many octaves the sequence will step through before restarting. 2.8.
2 2.8 ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Standard Controller Mode Screen Controls 2.8.3 Editor Modes Press the Editor button to access the Control Editor. This Control Editor lets you customize the messages sent from the different 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 first put it in CC mode. This can be done from the User menu. See Section 2.1 for details.
2 2.8 ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Standard Controller Mode Screen Controls 2.8.4 User Mode 1 2 Touch +/- CC Pitch Page 1 Page 1 Knob Button 3 4 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.
3 3.1 Advanced Studio One Integration Controls 3 ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual 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 confirm External Device settings, click on the External Devices link on the Studio One Start page and select the ATOM SQ device.
3 3.1 Advanced Studio One Integration Controls 3.1.2 ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Touch Strip 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 3.2.1.3 for details. 3.1.3 A-H Buttons Use the A-H buttons to switch the current drum bank in Impact XT or change the current Octave in Keyboard, Continuous, or Scale Only layout Modes.
3 3.1 Advanced Studio One Integration Controls 3.1.5 ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Navigation Buttons The Up, Down, Left, and Right navigation buttons to the left of the Shift button will change their functions depending on what is in focus in Studio One. They can go to the next or previous track, navigate the Browser, or select events, notes, and Arranger sections.
3 3.1 ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Advanced Studio One Integration Controls A-H buttons While accessing their global functions, the A-H buttons will illuminate orange. To change these buttons to their global control functions, hold the Shift button while pressing the desired button. These are functions that are fixed. Commands are shown on ATOM SQ’s screen while pressing and holding the Shift button. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1. Windows Show/Hide 2. Select All on Track 3. Copy 4. Duplicate 5. Redo 6.
3 3.2 Advanced Studio One Integration Screen Controls ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Screen Encoder The Screen Encoder also features a global function to change presets. If an Instrument, Effect, or Note FX Editor is in focus, pressing and holding the Shift button while turning the Screen Encoder will change to the next or previous preset. The name of the preset will also briefly show on ATOM SQ’s display.
3 3.2 ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Advanced Studio One Integration Screen Controls 3.2.1 Instrument Mode When Instrument mode is engaged, the screen on your ATOM SQ will display commonly used commands to browse and load Instruments, add or manage Events, as well as configure certain pad and performance parameters. 3.2.1.1 Browse 1 2 3 Instruments Instrument Note FX Browser Editor Editor Browse Open Browser Load Close Open Selected Folder Folder 4 5 6 1. Instruments Browser.
3 3.2 ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Advanced Studio One Integration Screen Controls 3.2.1.2 Instrument Track Editing Controls Page Up to access the Track Editing Controls. From here you can add Parts and Patterns, Chorder FX, and more. 1 2 3 Add Add Merge Chorder FX Arp FX Events Track Synth Lead Add Add Pattern Part 4 5 Length 6 1. Add Chorder FX. Loads a Chorder Note FX onto the selected track*. 2. Add Arp FX. Loads an Arpeggiator Note FX onto the selected track*. 3. Merge Events.
3 3.2 ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Advanced Studio One Integration Screen Controls • Modwheel. The Touch Strip will be assigned to the Modulation Wheel MIDI control with minimum value at the far left position and the maximum value at the far right. While active, the modulation will stay in the last position that was touched, indicated by the red LEDs above the strip. Expression.
3 3.2 ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Advanced Studio One Integration Screen Controls Chromatic), 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. • 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). If a Scale type is selected (other than Chromatic), the bright pads will guide you to play the correct notes in the scale.
3 3.2 ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Advanced Studio One Integration Screen Controls 3.2.2 Song Mode ATOM SQ’s Song mode will change the screen to display commonly used functions and commands for the overall song like Tempo, showing or hiding the Console, adding effects, working with the Arranger Track, etc. 3.2.2.1 Transport 1 2 3 Tempo Loop Zoom 120.00 Selection Loop Transport 0001.01.01.00 Marker Add IQ Marker 4 5 6 1. Tempo.
3 3.2 ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Advanced Studio One Integration Screen Controls 3. Volume. When selected, the Screen Encoder changes the volume of the currently selected track. 4. Solo. Solos the currently selected track. 5. Mute. Mutes the currently selected track. 6. Rec. Record enables the currently selected track. 3.2.2.3 Arranger Track 1 2 Toggle Duplicate Arranger 3 Delete Range Arranger Synth Lead Track Add From Zoom Sections 5 6 Selection 4 1. Toggle Arranger.
3 3.2 ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Advanced Studio One Integration Screen Controls • Screen Encoder will select the next or previous item in the list • Navigation arrows Up, Down, Left and Right will select the next or previous item in the list (note that these arrows are different than the Page Left and Page Right arrows which are directly below the Screen Encoder) 2. Channel Editor. Shows or hides the Effects’ interface, the Effects Editor. 3. Devices.
3 3.2 ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Advanced Studio One Integration Screen Controls Pattern: Variations 1 2 3 New Duplicate Variation Variation Variation Variation 1 Pattern: Variations Synth Lead Track Steps Resolution Swing 16 1/16 0% 4 5 6 1. New Variation. Creates a new, empty pattern variation. 2. Duplicate Variation. Copies the current variation’s pattern into a new variation. 3. Variation. When selected, the Screen Encoder will switch to the next or previous Variation.
3 3.2 ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Advanced Studio One Integration Screen Controls 4. Lane Steps. When selected, the Screen Encoder will change the amount of steps in the selected lane independent of a pattern’s steps. 5. Lane Resolution. When selected, the Screen Encoder will change a lane’s resolution to shorter or longer durations independent of the pattern’s resolution. 6. Clear Lane. Clears all notes in the selected lane.
3 3.2 ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Advanced Studio One Integration Screen Controls 3.2.3.2 Editing Step Automation on the Fly When in any page other than Patterns: Steps, you can quickly select a step to edit by pressing and holding an active step in the lower lane. New Duplicate Variation Variation Variation Variation 1 Knobs 5-8 Velocity|Repeat|Delay|Probability Steps Resolution Swing 16 1/16 0% ATOM SQ’s screen will display “Knobs 5-8” and Velocity | Repeat | Delay | Probability.
3 3.2 ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Advanced Studio One Integration Screen Controls 4. Transpose. When selected, the Screen Encoder will transpose the selected note(s) up or down. Alternatively, the Navigation Up and Down buttons will also transpose the selected note(s) up or down. Holding down ATOM SQ’s Shift button + either Navigation Up or Down will transpose a note Up or Down one musical octave respectively. 5. Nudge.
3 3.2 ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Advanced Studio One Integration Screen Controls 3.2.3.4 Audio Editor Audio 1 Send to Play from Impact Selected Goto Event Audio 1 Vocal Track Create Transients Split Crossfades 1. Send To Impact. Creates a new instrument track with Impact XT loaded and assigns each selected audio Event or each bend marker to a pad. 2. Play from Selected. Moves the playhead to the beginning of an Event while the transport is stopped or playing. 3. Goto Event.
3 3.2 ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Advanced Studio One Integration Screen Controls 3.2.4 User Mode While in User mode, your ATOM SQ will send any commands currently assigned via Studio One’s External Devices Editor. To open the External Device Editor in Studio One, select External from the far left column in the Console. Double-click on ATOM SQ to bring up the Editor. User buttons have default commands assigned, but these can be changed and customized.
3 3.2 ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Advanced Studio One Integration Screen Controls Page 2: Convert Convert Clear To Part To Pattern Pattern User Controls: Global Page 2/4 Drum Piano Score View View View Toggle Tracklist Page 3: Scratchpad Detached User Controls: Global Page 3/4 Open...
4 4.1 Advanced Ableton Live Integration Control Functions 4 ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Advanced Ableton Live Integration ATOM SQ is also a unique Ableton Live controller, designed for production and live performance.
4 4.1 ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Advanced Ableton Live Integration Control Functions 4.1.5 A-H Buttons In Instrument mode, 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).
4 4.2 Advanced Ableton Live Integration Screen Controls 4.1.7 ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Navigation Buttons The Up, Down, Left, and Right navigation buttons to the left of the Shift button will navigate through clips and scenes in Session view. In the Arranger view, the navigation Left and Right buttons will select the next or previous track and the navigation Up and Down buttons plus Shift will move the “box” up or down respectively.
4 4.2 ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Advanced Ableton Live Integration Screen Controls 4.2.1.1 Pad Configuration 1 2 3 Pads Range Octave Keys 0 0 Pad Configuration Chrom C All Scale Root Velocity 4 5 6 1. Pads. When selected, the Screen Encoder will change how the layout of the pads appear. • Keys. Follows the layout of a piano. White keys on the bottom lane and black keys on the top lane.
4 4.2 ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Advanced Ableton Live Integration Screen Controls • 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 fixed velocity of 127. • 16-vel.
4 4.2 ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Advanced Ableton Live Integration Screen Controls 3. Clear Sequence. When pressed, stops a held sequence. 4. Arp. When pressed, toggles between the Arpeggiator’s Off, 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. Octaves. When selected, the Screen Encoder will change how many octaves the sequence will step through before restarting. 4.2.
4 4.2 ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Advanced Ableton Live Integration Screen Controls 4.2.3 Editor Mode Editor mode will display functions specific to controlling a Device. 1 2 3 Lock < Device Device > Track Name Device Name On/Off < Bank Bank > 4 5 6 1. Lock. Locks knob 1-8 controls to the currently selected Device. 2. < Device. Selects the previous Device. 3. Device >. Selects the next Device. 4. On/Off. Turns the currently selected Device on or off. 5. < Bank.
5 5.1 Studio One Artist Quick Start Installation and Authorization 5 ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Studio One Artist Quick Start All registered ATOM SQ users receive Studio One Artist recording and production software. Whether you are about to record your first album or your fiftieth, Studio One Artist provides you with all of the tools necessary to capture and mix a great performance. Power User Tip: As a valued PreSonus customer, you are eligible for a discount upgrade to Studio One Professional.
5 5.2 Studio One Artist Quick Start Setting Up Studio One ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Authorizing Studio One When Studio One is launched for the first time on your computer, it will communicate with your My PreSonus account and verify your registration. To ensure a seamless authorization process, make sure to download your installer to the computer on which you will be using it, and be sure that your computer is connected to the Internet when you launch the application for the first time.
5 5.2 Studio One Artist Quick Start Setting Up Studio One 5.2.1 ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Configuring Audio Devices In the middle of the Start page, you will see the Setup area. Studio One Artist automatically scans your system for all available drivers and selects a driver. By default, it will choose a PreSonus driver if one is available. 1. Click on the Configure Audio Interface link to select your audio interface driver. 2. Select your audio interface from the Audio Device pulldown menu.
5 5.2 Studio One Artist Quick Start Setting Up Studio One 5.2.2 ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Configuring MIDI Devices From the External Devices window in Studio One Artist, you can configure your MIDI keyboard controller, sound modules, and control surfaces. This section will guide you through setting up other MIDI keyboard controllers and sound modules. Please consult the Reference Manual located within Studio One for complete setup instructions for other MIDI devices.
5 5.2 ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Studio One Artist Quick Start Setting Up Studio One 3. From the menu on the left, select your MIDI controller from the list of manufacturers and models. If you do not see your MIDI controller listed, select New Keyboard. At this point, you can customize the name of your keyboard by entering the manufacturer and device names. 4. You must specify which MIDI channels will be used to communicate with this keyboard. For most purposes, you should select all MIDI channels.
5 5.2 Studio One Artist Quick Start Setting Up Studio One ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Make sure you have connected the MIDI In of your external sound module to the MIDI Out of your MIDI interface. 1. In the External Devices window, click the Add button. 2. Select your device in the menu on the left. If your device is not listed, select New Instrument. At this point you can customize the name of your keyboard by entering the manufacturer and device names. 3.
5 5.3 Studio One Artist Quick Start Creating a New Song 5.3 ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Creating a New Song Now that you’ve configured your audio and MIDI devices, let’s create a new Song. We’ll start by setting up your default audio I/O. 1. From the Start page, select “Create a New Song.” 2. In the New Song window, name your Song and choose the directory in which you’d like it saved. You’ll notice a list of templates on the left.
5 5.3 Studio One Artist Quick Start Creating a New Song ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual 2. Click on the Audio I/O Setup tab. 3. From the Inputs tab, you can enable any or all of the inputs on your audio interface that you’d like to have available. We recommend that you create a mono input for each of the inputs on your interface. If you plan on recording in stereo, you should also create a few stereo inputs. 4. Click on the Outputs tabs to enable any or all of the outputs on your audio interface.
5 5.3 ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Studio One Artist Quick Start Creating a New Song 5.3.2 Creating Audio and Instrument Tracks 1. In the upper left corner of the Arrange window, you will notice several buttons. The button furthest to the right is the Add Tracks button. Click on this button to open the Add Tracks window. 2. In the Add Tracks window, you can customize the track name and color, add a preset rack of effects, and set the physical source for the input and output of your audio tracks.
5 5.3 Studio One Artist Quick Start Creating a New Song 5.3.3 ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Recording an Audio Track 1. To begin recording, create an audio track from the Add Tracks window, set its input to Input 1 on your audio interface, and connect a microphone to the same input. 2. Select Record Enable on the track. Turn up the Input 1 level on your audio interface while speaking/singing into the microphone. You should see the input meter in Studio One Artist react to the input.
5 5.3 Studio One Artist Quick Start Creating a New Song ATOM SQ Owner’s Manual Drag-and-Drop Virtual Instruments To add a virtual instrument to your session, open the browser and click on the Instrument button. Select the instrument or one of its patches from the Instrument browser and drag it into the Arrange view. Studio One Artist will automatically create a new track and load the instrument as the input.
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ATOM SQ Hybrid MIDI Keyboard / Pad Performance and Production Controller Owner’s Manual ® 18011 Grand Bay Ct. • Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70809 USA• 1-225-216-7887 www.presonus.
