PreSonus ATOM and Ableton Live Form Flexible Performance Setup

Upon its release in 2018, the PreSonus ATOM pad controller gained popularity as an expressive, flexible, and feature-packed production and performance instrument. ATOM connects to a computer using USB and works with multiple DAWs but is especially tightly integrated with the included PreSonus Studio One recording and production software. Now PreSonus and Ableton have joined forces to offer deep ATOM integration with Ableton’s Live software (version 10.1.5 and later), giving electronic musicians and producers a combination of world-class production and live performance tools.

Start your production with ATOM and Studio One, then perform it onstage, using ATOM to launch clips and scenes in Ableton Live, change track volume and panning, and switch between Session and Arranger views—all while playing virtual instruments and Live’s Drum Rack device from ATOM’s 16 velocity- and pressure-sensitive pads. Navigate Live’s mixer using ATOM’s Channel mode, where you can select, solo, and record-enable channels, as well as stop all clips on a selected channel. Take advantage of the dedicated User mode to create custom user assignments, Metronome On/Off, Save and Undo, Loop On/Off, and more.

To take a performance to the next level, add a second ATOM to your Live setup, using one ATOM to perform and the other to launch and record clips—or play one ATOM with each hand, or even equip multiple musicians with ATOMs. Two or more ATOM MIDI pad controllers can also be used to extend the performance range for your instruments and Drum Rack.

To sweeten the deal, any ATOM purchased after October 20, 2019, includes free copies of both Ableton Live Lite and Studio One Artist, plus a free course of lessons from Melodics to help you practice finger drumming skills, explore new ways to create on your ATOM controller, and build your syncopation and hand independence.

ATOM-Live integration requires Live version 10.1.5 and later and ATOM firmware version 3.4, which is now available using PreSonus Universal Control version 3.1.2.