Review: ATOM SQ and its innovative offset pads // 3 pros & cons w/Ableton Live & Presonus Studio One

[@BubbaSatori]

“If your DAW doesn’t have an arpeggiator maybe it’s time to switch.” 😂

[@jeromeweaver809]

Power User Tip: Your ATOM SQ encoders have a built-in velocity multiplier, so the faster you turn them, the more quickly they will reach the minimum or maximum or the parameter range.

[@rdiio]

great tip but I do hope Presonus will give us a way to speed up the knob speed especially with using Ableton device macros, have to agree they are little slow for automation purposes.

[@G8tr1522]

yeah, hopefully they release a user editor that lets you adjust the sensitivity and other parameters for the velocity multiplier. Or even better, you can adjust it on the device itself.

[@WEHAVETHISDREAM]

Does anyone know if the left / right arrows are also arming the tracks, in Ableton, now? (After firmware updates etc.)

[@edrumsense]

I really hope they offer a way to turn this feature off, it s really anoying for my

[@mango4two101]

@@edrumsense I hate this feature with a passion

[@codanbls9177]

now that is a video presentation, covering all and straight to the point. I'm buying!

[@CPCforever]

This is the clearest review I’ve seen - well done

[@mad.magirus]

Thanks Ziv. Your reviews are a very good guide to what I should buy or not. For me, for example, the connectivity section and the pros and cons are very important. Thank you again.

[@nebula0697]

It was about time somebody made a controller like that sort of half way between drum pads and a keyboard. The best thing is the pads options in this.

[@Nomo_Popo]

Yep I'm hoping to find some info on how open it is for programming; probably not too open like being able to make the knobs have encoder behavior or screen control but it would be a beast if they intended to leave it open for programmers.

[@DavidPeck]

The launch pad and the Ableton Push did this and have been out for years. This is actually Presonus playing catch up.

[@Nomo_Popo]

@@DavidPeck I think Push might be exceptional though when it comes to allowing so much freedom, specifically with the screen. I don't know of any other midi controllers with screens that are allowed to be programmed, except for Komplete Kontrol, and those are old school screens. If Presonus did allow the screen to be programmable, it could be old school method (like having to use sysex to put custom text up and the location of it), because the screen is more old school, unless they come out with programming software like Komplete Kontrol has supplementary software for programming the keyboard. I haven't had time to see if there's any technical details about it though. It is about time this form factor came to the masses though, for sure.

[@nebula0697]

@@bassc yeah thats a. nicely designed controller too. you don't get the offset pads which is one of the cool things in this one

[@thomaslthomas1506]

If it had a slider (doesn’t need to be motorized) and Logic Pro x integration I’d be all in it would get some clutter of my workspace. As it sits it’s kinda of a rim shot.

[@Artek604]

Finally a video about it :) Thanks for this!

[@synthfreak291]

This is nice. I guess PreSonus knows that most musicians don't have modular gear, but I'm pretty sure the next iteration will have CV outputs.

[@MarcoPolux]

you have the best reviews by far! 👍 👍 👍 you leave no doubts at all. Thanks!!!!

[@Baphometrix]

Great demo/walkthru, thanks! Here's hoping Moss jumps on this and makes a Bitwig extension for it.

[@Baphometrix]

@Trapikal Nation Hee, I'm already there. Given myself 3 weeks to get up to speed, set up my project template, make notes about workflow how-tos (in S1 vs Bitwig). I even have a Faderport 8 already, lol. I'm not giving up on Bitwig, though! I can see making S1 my "home base" for the project arrangement/editing/mixing/mastering, but still using Bitwig for "sound design" of things I can't easily get done in Studio One.

[@javidavi]

Same here. Most (all?) ergo computer mice are only for RH. So, I also moved to RH because of that.

[@DaveShipp]

I can confirm that the 11" iPad Pro (3rd Gen) can power the Atom SQ directly with just a usb-c cable, without the need for a powered usb hub. Absolutely no problem powering it, even if the iPad battery is down at 1%

[@TROGULAR10000]

It would be great if they made one with the in and outs you need to control modular hardware setups. This baby with the onboard project storage, tracks and in/outs of KeystepPro would be killer.

[@b1n4ryk1lLa]

exactly this i was thinking it would be cool to run my creamware synth through it

[@alexscammon5317]

Saw a comment that might get buried because it was a year ago, so I'll repost it up higher. To address part of the issue @loopop points out at 11:53: You can add this to your Options.txt: -EnableArmOnSelection 1 And then left/right will arm the track as you move. This is an improvement, but like @loopop points out it would be nice if the Atom SQ would default to Blocks mode for drums (and switch the Scale to "Chrom" and the Root to C at the same time) and then switch back to the key/continuous mode (and back in the scale you chose for the song) for the pitched instruments.

[@Mundproductionfunkhaus]

thank you for another very useful presentation

[@hawaiirealmedia5610]

Looks like fun. That ending piece really sells it for me! Nice presentation too.

[@chapelierfouTV]

Has anything changed on the Ableton integration since the release of this video ?

[@SyncdAlien]

Very nice review, thank you.

[@Almanacs]

As a studio one and ableton user, this looks amazing! But it's disappointing that it doesn't have midi out connectivity 😢

[@WEHAVETHISDREAM]

Do you know if the left / right arrows are also arming the tracks, in Ableton, now? (After firmware updates etc.)

[@memecoinmafia2732]

@@WEHAVETHISDREAM i think you can enable arm on selection in ableton settings ?

[@steveturner1815]

Another great video. I really liked that music you created in the Outro.

[@bullet1218]

Thanks for the video...my go to channel for product reviews..💯

[@johnathantyrer6077]

I’m using my Atom SQ with Ableton live and although obviously no where near push for controlling live it definitely good enough at this price point ,knobs are good enough but aren’t my favourite I’ve used ,a good piece of gear non the less

[@ZigbertD]

If Studio One is your main DAW, this is really a no-brainer purchase at it's current price point. The amount of control integration for session navigation, arrangement building and plugin control does wonders to speed up your workflow. The user configurable commands give it amazing potential. The pattern sequencer is cool, but a little fiddly to adjust velocities and so forth (there are shortcuts that make it faster). As far as hardware control, another reason I wanted it was to have poly aftertouch on a controller with a more keyboard like layout, and it works pretty well for that (used it with Hydrasynth desktop a lot, but have since upgraded to the 49 key Hydrasynth).

[@DopamineOverload]

This would be so dope if Presonus allowed the Atom SQ to send Relative CC for the encoders, and toggle (or trigger) for the buttons. Major oversight, as is true with so many companies which over generic midi control. Generic would be an understatement, here. Missed opportunity.

[@HazyJ28]

I know it isn't technically a piece of hardware, but I would love to see you cover the new "MPC BEATS" DAW from Akai Professional. It's basically a free, stripped down version of MPC 2.8 that runs on their high end MPC line (and also as a standalone DAW for desktop). MPC BEATS is basically a free, stripped down version of 2.8 like MPC ESSENTIALS was for 1.8.

[@LiftedNoise]

I was hoping to use this as a standalone controller with the scale mode but I heard that scales mirror whatever software your using capability. Are there built in scales for use with hardware devices?

[@jeromeweaver809]

Great video! Thank you.

[@JudgeFredd]

Excellent review

[@richardwilliams1310]

I would have loved seeing the Atom SQ paired with the 1010music Blackbox with Studio One samples on the microSD card, used like a MPC

[@hederaavv]

Can you use the sequencer in Ableton?

[@supremelc3667]

Great job - best in the business!

[@personmcperson4440]

Thanks for the IOS info. I always appreciate your attention to detail.

[@effebidi9677]

Hello, actually how good is controlling hardware synths/groove boxes in midi controller mode ?

[@robertshamansky1912]

Looks pretty interesting!

[@winddealer1]

Great review. Wonder if there is a future "Molecule SQ" controller in the works?

[@ZozillaThaGreat]

Great Video , Oscar , did ya experienced pad triggering several time ?

[@intrascendente]

Damn… why on earth they screwed this fantastic controller up? I mean, it is neat, well feature-packed, so perfect for hardware and modular setup. No CV/Gate and/or MIDI out is a HUGE downside. What a f shame :(

[@danapfranz]

Hello, and as always, thanks for your careful and very well thought-out review. A quick question: not sure if this is an older firmware in your video, or I'm just missing something, but at 0:36, you use the touchstrip to shift the keyboard. I can not figure out how to do this. I'm on page 4 of the "Inst" button, but it looks slightly different than your screen. Yours says "Pad Configuration," whereas mine says "Pads." I can push the "Range" button, and use the rotary encoder to shift the range, but the touchstrip has no effect. Small thing, not critical, but I'm just curious - is there a "Pad Configuration" mode that I have yet to locate? Thanks!

[@ScarPolish]

Nice one! Been scouring the web for a video on this. Bonus that you're making it of course! Looking for a decent groovebox controller for Drambo

[@kypresso4328]

So 8 encoders but only 6 parameters show on the lcd screen, seems a stupid design choice to me. Most daws seem to use parameters in banks of 8 not 6.

[@allinonethegreat]

I’m going to just keep my Atom I’m fine with that lol

[@ritec]

It would be great if you could review the ER-301 Eurorack module.

[@federicoagudelo5801]

I have the atom and I really really love it , most of all I love the volume knobs for each clip , extremely usefull feature to look like dj jaja

[@gpr4eva]

Loopop = 🐐

[@notlimited214]

CAN YOU PLEASE REVIEW NEKTAR AURA, Thanks in advance!

[@MaylorTaylor]

Does the Sequencer also work with Ableton?

[@DorinJacota]

Current firmware version, v.1.17. I was expecting to be able to send different midi cc data from every push of the pad, but it doesn't, even if the pads are set on CC.

[@ShrekSwag]

bro u rock ur always getting the bread luv u

[@G8tr1522]

Does anybody know if they fixed the Ableton device control issue described at 14:00? This is the only reason i haven't bought this yet.

[@ginotubbo1531]

What about the arpeggiator pression and your other "requests" for future updates? Did they do it?

[@cellrok]

Looking very similar to the squarp pyramid in a way. I am still looking for the perfect sequencer that has a learn function for modulating cc and also knows NRPN, knows how to program-change properly in both standards and has a song mode. 2 midi out, CV/gate and clock out. So far most can only do the half, or need workarounds or just have 16 steps etc.. always something, and with this: well, it's made for the computer only. Maybe one day my prayers will be heard :) In your opinion, what is the best/most complete HW sequencer out there right now?

[@loopop]

No it's very different from Pyramid actually. IMHO easiest-best is KeyStep Pro. Most-feature-rich-best is Pyramid

[@cellrok]

@@loopop oh, yeah. I just meant by the "looks" / industrial design, not the features :) Thanks for the suggestion. I am currently using the Toraiz Squid. Maybe I reach one shelf higher for the Pyramid then.

[@ロクアンドロルしかない]

The lightning to USB adapter you are referring to only supplies power for charging the iPad it does not provide any power to a connected device. However, in order to preserve battery life the iPad will limit the power available at the lightning port but when you add the charging cable or pd cable iOS then releases more power to the USB connection.

[@dcashley303]

Ooo, I'm obviously very late but that Una Corda piano sounds amazing.

[@loopop]

davidevoid for sure

[@shadowhenge7118]

Wonder when we'll get a release date for it.

[@Khordmaster]

Can anyone confirm that this works properly with the iPad Pro Villa just a USB C cable?

[@DaveShipp]

I can confirm that the usb-c iPad Pro does power the Atom SQ without any external power or hub. Just with a usb-c cable. Mine is an 11" iPad Pro (3rd Gen) and it powers it no problem even if the battery is only at 1%.

[@willybobo8846]

have they done some of them updates for ableton control?

[@tonyrapa-tonyrapa]

Last week, I was just about to purchase a normal Atom and an Arturia MiniLab. Then, on the website I was using, I saw the Atom SQ (pre-order)... for me it was a no brainer, seeing as I'm a Presonus slut. So I purchased the SQ without even knowing too much about it. Finally, I have a found a video to (hopefully) instill me with confidence for my pre-order... and thankfully, it seems exactly what I was hoping for. Now I've got about a week left to wait... and I'm excited as hell. Thank you loopop!

[@Sweyn_Nero]

still using it ?

[@tonyrapa-tonyrapa]

@@Sweyn_Nero Honestly? Not very much. On paper it seemed perfect but in reality it doesn't really fulfil my expectations.

[@Sweyn_Nero]

@@tonyrapa-tonyrapa Now I'm curious, when did you realize it wasn't for you ? I'm really tempted by this board but I'd bet I would just resolve to using a mouse a few months in. The thing that attracts me a lot is to have a pentatonic/scaled keyboard and potentially spend less time navigating and more playing. But I'm afraid the promises aren't quite the reality here.

[@tonyrapa-tonyrapa]

@@Sweyn_Nero First off, I use Studio One 5, so I don't know what limitations there are in other DAWs. In terms of the scales - it's great, I can assure you of that. You can also set the keys to be sequential, which for a non-keyboard player is great. The main reasons for me not using it too much these days is a) I can't really get into it as a DAW controller and b) I find the pads not as suited to playing as regular keys.

[@Sweyn_Nero]

@@tonyrapa-tonyrapa alright, thanks for the feedback, I'll gather some more information before biting the bullet. Trying to not go for an impulse buy here. Cheers !

[@kalubandali2241]

Looks nice!

[@nkozi]

I'm ambivalent about the controller, but I'd love for you to take a deep dive into S1, especially with version 5's song mode and all the various features.

[@andrish]

Hi, great demo thanks! What is the name of that awesome oscillator plugin instrument? I couldn't hear that...

[@loopop]

Thanks! Hainbach's Fundamental

[@HaineZeeTV]

Would love to see you do a vid to show how well (or not??) the Atom SQ works as a controller for the Deluge... Looks like it could be a great pairing?!:)

[@Bod8998]

The outro sounds like the Modal craft synth when playing with the octaves Maybe do a video on that😀

[@DbugII]

Thanks for the video, it was interesting! I've been looking in the documentation, but it's not clear what can be done through the pure MIDI mode: From the Atom UI itself it's possible to assign CC codes to the various buttons, but is it possible to change parameters on the Atom from a midi tool? I've searched for details about the midi implementation, did not find anything. Basically I'm writing my own program, and I'd like to be able to change the color of the pads or buttons, etc... basically what happens when you use Ableton or Presonus own tool, but for my own program.

[@33tetragammon36]

another great & very detailed video as always Loopop! one question though (i could not find this in the user manual): are the 8 knobs touch-sensitive? (like the ones on Komplete Kontrol/Maschine MK3/Push 2)? thanks!!!

[@loopop]

Thanks! I mention this in the video, no they are not

[@33tetragammon36]

@@loopop thanks so much!!!, i must have missed that in the video...

[@sleepsmoothsounds]

Can not find on amazon link???

[@loopop]

Thanks for trying - the link is to a search for "Atom SQ" on Amazon - the product just came out, so it may not be available there yet.

[@georgegeorge4199]

Thank you very much for the review Loopop. The integration with the Studio One it looks perfect, but one thing that I can’t see is the quantize button, which in recording process eliminates the 50 % of the mousing. Maybe is the button which has the indicator Count In?

[@loopop]

I'm almost sure I remember seeing a quantize option but honestly I didn't investigate the details too much and preferred to focus on the big picture... I believe a full manual is coming out soon

[@cresshead]

£222 on thomann if it had midi din i would have been interested. appears a bit beta ware with how some of it works right now re arp..." we'll fix it in post' really sux imo. no tempo button, it looks to be buried in a menu (setup) somewhere... so n o tempo button or tap tempo. lots of promise but under delivering right now... maybe when/if a pro version comes out it might get my $$$/

[@DanielSmith-sp5fj]

Nice video! How to quantize with Presonus sq using ableton live?

[@edrumsense]

Hello. is there a posibility to show it working on Cubase? thank you very much

[@Surrounder720]

Hi, great review. I have a question about this: I would lik to use this device in Ableton and i was wondering if i could spread the 2 rows of pads over 2 Drumracks. So for eexample use the upper row 16 pads fo 1 drumrack track and the lower row for another drumrack track. Could this be set up in Ableton by the ability to assigen different midi channel or maybe the Atom offers an extra midi port to do so ? im curious if it is possible.

[@loopop]

Thanks! It has been a while since this review but I don't recall this option. I suggest emailing the company to make sure.

[@samprock]

If it had pattern editor for Live same as for Studio One it would be a killer, smaller (!) and cheaper Mini Push (in control naming and that bogus exit Live to change channel is resolved). Looks neat. TNX LP!

[@georgegeorge4199]

Exactly, plus a preset browsing and choosing, at the moment all these features work only with the Studio One. To me this is the ideal workflow for a future Push Mini, Ableton definitely should consider to produce something like that in the near future.

[@Val_Cla]

looks pretty nice ! I'd love to use that and Vcv together :D or with Reaper too !

[@ACCOUNTANTB]

Does it work with external hardware as a synth ?

[@Nestradamus]

I own the original atom and love it, but this feels like the akai fire to me; incomplete and unnecessary. To each his own I suppose, great review btw. 👍

[@WiKiTWoNKaWeCKoRDS]

Will it work with FL Studio?

[@1301byh]

Which oscilloscope program do you use?

[@WackyJackyTracky]

Any firmware update meanwhile with improvements for this?

[@jaysilence3314]

Really nice device, thank you for the review, but the lck of physical interfaces makes it a no-go for me.

[@ZETONEproductions]

Stepsequencer ableton ?

[@a-skywlkr]

sequencing are working with ableton ?

[@Skulltulab]

Does anyone know if you can you customize the color and note of each key? Or only the built in scales? If it had or if I could make a launchpad-style parallel 4ths tuning I’d preorder it now, otherwise I’ll wait until I can read the manual.

[@loopop]

Not currently to my knowledge

[@Skulltulab]

loopop thanks a lot, appreciate your videos, this one was well done as always

[@SkySplitterInk]

Thinkin the same about the best program around Bitwig and the amazing programmer Moss!

[@aarhmn]

Should i buy atom or atom sq?

[@valdir7426]

does anyone know if they solved the issue of not showing the parameter name in plug in mode?

[@KozmykJ]

Useful insights. Nice One. I'm always looking to expand my S1 utilisation. A LH Mouser eh ? I'm a Leftie but a RH Mouser mostly.

[@loopop]

LH FTW! Though actually I recently bought one of those ergo RH mouses to ease up on my left hand, so, I guess I'm a bi-mouser...

[@Knardsh]

Any idea if it’s mapped to logic at all or would that need to be done manually mostly ?

[@loopop]

I'm not familiar with Logic but if it has MCU or HUI you could get basic functionality, and MIDI learn the rest of course manually

[@va941]

Hmmm....what do you think/ I have recently started to bring my laptop with me and are looking for a midi controller to bring with it/ it should fit the same laptop bag...have looked at this and the novation launchkey mini mk3/ will also have a mk3 maschine mikro because i use Maschine/Live and S1...so/ Any thought you or others might have are Very Wellcome and apreciated!

[@comeback1827]

Hi ! Thank you for all your vidéos. Can you Say me what is your advise when WE dont need live and mobility ? I love the korg electribe 2 sound , but the sampler version dont have all that sounds, and i need a sampler... And what about the 1010 black box and his "synth" sounds... ? For hip hop. And with this small "budget" devices is it really possible to produce a complete track ? Considering all that points, it's better to stay on computer with fun controller ? Atom SQ or the first Atom ?

[@loopop]

Thanks! Keep doing the research - no one knows what's right for you but you

[@comeback1827]

@@loopop thank you for your answer ! 😉. But i'm french so it's difficult for me to follow all détails... 😁.

[@Aharshreality9281]

Your video is great . I'm just still on the fence about the unit as a whole since, I play keyboard the little rubber "keys" aren't so appealing.

[@gru_day]

Wuld like the not-so-fancy-gear tutorial of Worlde EasyControl.9. There is close to none content on this. I wuld like to see how this works in your hands. I wonder is it any use at all. It is inspired by KORG Nanokontrol but specs shows that is more powerfull. It is aliexpress buy but are not most of those are from china?

[@muratmazliyah]

I wonder if atom sq is competible with native instrumens nks plugins? I mean if the keyboard shows the color layouts of kontakt instruments??? Any one have an opinion ???

[@8nayrb]

!Hey! I am paralyzed and use a stick held in my mouth to interact with the world. Do you think you could turn the knobs with a pencil held backwards? Thanks.

[@loopop]

Hi! I think a controller with faders would be easier to use

[@8nayrb]

@@loopop Yeah I know, I'm kind of proficient with the mouth stick but.. money is tight but boredom and it's effects loom. I use a keystation 32 and only use the keys. I have an Xiosynth and cannot turn them. Korg stuff

[@keith3069]

Is That encordar knob able to assign simpler’s slice marker to moving around?

[@loopop]

You can map sample start and end % to macros and sort of get the effect, but it's not the same obviously

[@laronf7627]

Does it work on cakewalk

So. Noob question deluxe here but I'm new to ableton but not new to producing in daws: This. Or Push 2 (or...3 when ever it comes)? Price difference aside.

[@ouu7233]

push 3 mini

[@keith8561]

one of the best reviews on a product. Do not know which One I should buy Atom Pad $150 or The SQ for a 💯n 50 more?

[@loopop]

Thanks! I've actually not reviewed the Atom Pad but perhaps someone else can chime in with the pros and cons (other than the knobs and display of course...)

[@keith8561]

@@loopop I know you didn't review the atom pad, just watched the video. talking about review on products in general. did my own review on the Pad. have a great day.

[@TheSupergan]

I think presonus should add a small screen above those knobs to avoid playing a guessing game... hopefully happens on Atom MK2... cool idea but looks like a rushed and unfinished product... anyway thanks for the video and great review!!

[@Byronic19134]

That would raise the price by alot

[@rectape]

@@Byronic19134 a bit but this is toy quality

[@hansmayer5349]

does the step sequencer mode work in ableton live?

[@loopop]

no

[@severeflows]

I’m not sure if he mentioned it and I missed it but does anyone know if you can use the scale mode on this controller on stand alone mode? would love to use this with korg gadget on iOS since my nano key studio no longer works.

[@marshallbrooks312]

Their products are buggy. The atom stops working. There are many posts on their website asking for help since the past year and no solution or response. I put in several trouble call request no response

[@gregwilliams2764]

Can I bring up VSTs from One5

[@ndujamz]

Im not longer into Midi Controllers. I'd rather buy a Synth which can also acts a Midi controller