ATOM Production & Performance Midi Pad Controller with Studio One Artist and Ableton Live Lite Recording Software

I needed something tactile to allow me to produce a little more specific (rather than just using a mouse to point and click out beats). This thing is solid, feels significant and was surprisingly simple to figure out and start using. It connected to my Studio One 6 software without a hitch and, once you begin learning the little ins and outs of the button functionality, it is full steam ahead! Very cool item for music production and even streaming (it has six programmable sound banks). All in all, well worth the money and fun as all heck to use!

Atom is a Presonus Midi controler pad-input instrument, so it's primary usage is with Studio One sequencer basied software, (Lite, but substantial version INCLUDED). However, you can also use it with other packages like Ableton Live. I'm using it as an iOS (iPad) Midi instrument input (running Loopy Pro). It's a sturdy 16 pad/4 Variable knobs controller, that's 8 inches square. It communicates it's status by turning the pads different colors, while this varies with different software. I believe a lot of people use it as a virtual drum machine input but you can use it as MIDI program change or music notes controller for any midi device. That means you can control changing actually notes, voices or loops in the software (that responds to Midi). It uses AND INCLUDES a USB-B cable, and it's powered by THAT cable. Unless you power that setup it will draw it's power from the device you connect it to and possible shorten the battery run time. If you use with a device that doesn't connect to the USB-A end, you'll need an adapter. If you're using an iPad, get a adapter that's certified to work by Apple. Also, those adapters that have a way to power the unit or the system. The pads on the Atom are a good quality, they feel a little stiff but respond well. They include variable velocity outputs. If you're using an iOS device a lot of the apps can show you the Midi numbers of each pad so you can program accordingly to what ever you're connecting to - using ' Midi Learn' function. Compared to other similar devices, it does well but cost less than most. Other more expensive controllers have more pads, but I don't see the need for them in my set up. Your's may be different.

The PreSonus ATOM is the first MIDI pad controller I've ever used and it took me a few YouTube tutorials and 3 days to get through the learning curve but once I did, I found the ATOM to be relatively EASY to use! With it, I can turn an idea to a full song QUICKLY and arrange and edit on the fly. I like that it's fully integrated with Studio One 4. Just download the software and link up with the Universal Controller (found at the PreSonus website) and you're done. The pads are multi-functional and assignable - I can create my own template. The touch response is great and the colors are bright. I find the functions quite user-friendly. From the unit I can open a track, assign an instrument, record it, loop it, set the tempo, duplicate or delete it, quantize it and more - all without touching the mouse! I really like that I can use my M-Audio Oxygen 25 keyboard with it too. It's compatible! Once I learned the ATOM, it quickly became my new sidekick in the studio. This also comes with Studio One 4 Artist (which I use) and LOTS of high-quality kits and samples by MVP Loops. I highly recommend getting the ATOM/Studio One 4/Interface/Mic bundle.

The material might feel a little cheap, & I wish the entire thing were white, instead of only the bottom piece, but you won't find as much bang for your buck anywhere else. When it comes to Studio One integration it's flawless, although S1 is the most stable DAW out there when it comes to device integration. I believe this comes with a copy of S1 Artist, but it's very limited compared to the professional S1, which you can upgrade to from this for only $299, which is the absolute best price you find anywhere on any pro DAW, but it's also one of the very best DAWs. The workflow is amazing.

I have different music software and hardware but for Studio One, this is the best choice. If you plan to not use the mouse much, and rely on a single device to make music and also control the software, this one get pretty close to that. Pros: it is very integrated with Studio One of course, so you can expect a lot of facilities and shortcuts. It is not that hard to remember what everything does, even if you have a couple of features per control. On the cons side, it is not that useful beyond Studio One, as there is no clear way to set up what each control does, like you can do with a Maschine Mikro for example; so you are stuck with whatever CC was set for the controls. If that is not a problem, the pads are great for finger drumming and overall it can be used as drumpad device and companion to a standard keyboard. I use it also in Cubase and Ableton and it works to an extent, but as mentioned, you won't be able to do any advanced operation unless you use Studio One.

I'll keep it short and sweet. I have been creating and playing music for almost 30 years as a hobby, so I'm pretty knowledgeable. All self taught, and above your average folk. This is a great piece of equipment; beats all the other options out there. I've done my research as well as tested a few others. The pads on here are by far the best, especially at this price range. Any review complaining about pads or anything else about this machine is pure incompetence and user error. The only thing bad about this machine is the time is takes to learn how to master ALL of its functions. If you have the time and motivation, then this is it. There is nothing wrong with these pads or machine. The pressure sensitive is great. Anyone who has an issue would know to add a "max velocity" midi effect in their DAW and problem solved. I myself do that personally as I want my drums kicking. Any house / EDM stuff you want to create, you should turn that off as for some intros, you want that pressure pad / build up. The biggest issue I have is THE LEARNING CURVE. I still don't know half of this thing. There is a manual that's easily accessible, but still, it's not that straight forward at times. Like I said, I'm above average by far, so some experts might look at me and say user error, and that's fine. For your average to above average user, it's a bit complicated to get started. Like I said the user manual lays everything out. I use Ableton, so for that, it's pretty simple. Plus and play. For a plug in like Get Good Drums, it wasn't so easy. You need to map everything in GGD / Kontackt before the unit will know what's going on. I'm assuming if you plan on using Studio One, it'll be easy easier as this goes hand in hand, and was built for the integration. All in all, I'd like to give this 4 stars, but to get going was really frustrating, so as of now I'm sticking with the mid 3. Like I said, for this money, and what this can do, it is the best choice out there.

I bought this to create drum tracks in Pro Tools but it would not work. I didn't want the other version of this pad although I've heard it's better. I tried this with Pro Studio One and it works excellent. It was seamless and I have been using it to lay down drum tracks for some songs that I've been putting together. I think it sounds great. For the money I'd say it's excellent. It has pressure sensitive pads and is programmable. It may not be the absolute best out there, but I'm happy with it so far. I'm a string player and I've never been able to play drums. This is about the closest I'll ever come. Lol.... So far it's all good!

This might actually be a great MIDI controller.... that is if my DAWs would recognize it. I use Ableton and Reaper, NOT Studio One, which this overpriced paperweight is designed for. But it should still work as a USB MIDI controller. Right? RIGHT???? Nope. Already troubleshooted with both DAWs, downloaded their Universal Controller, which also wouldn't recognize the controller. I attempted to contact Presonus. Unfortunately, their customer service is terrible, and they just want to sell me crap, and refuse to acknowledge there's a problem with their product. I will not be buying anything from Presonus again.