Algonaut Atlas 2 Turns Samples Into Music (WINNERS ANNOUNCED)

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Algonaut has released Atlas 2, the newest version of its powerful sample management software. We are taking a closer look at Atlas 2 and giving away two (actually four! 😊) FREE copies to two lucky BPB readers.

Atlas 2 ($99) results from a lengthy two-year development period and taking on board popular user requests.

If you are like me and have more sample-filled folders scattered around your drives than you can remember, Atlas 2 is the solution for you.

The drum-optimized AI algorithm takes samples from selected folders and cleverly organizes them into clusters/groups.

Samples are grouped by sound/type and positioned based on similarity. The clusters are reminiscent of stars or an electricity grid on a map, hence the name. So, if you focus on a particular sample, the other sounds in the closest proximity are the most similar variations.

I can see how this workflow can be a massive time-saver, even if it just reduces the time needed for browsing and auditioning samples. It would also encourage me to use some of the forgotten sounds that I might not get around to otherwise, and that’s a significant gain.

Atlas 2 comes with the option to download 1,500 drum samples and add them to the Content Browser. The download also comes with premade maps, sequences, and loops. New content packs will appear in the browser when available for download.

We loved Atlas 2's drum kit creator.

We loved Atlas 2’s drum kit creator.

Atlas 2 is more than just a creative sample manager, though. It features a handy Drum Kit creator, a Sample Editor, and a Drum Sequencer with humanization, polyrhythms, drag-drop import, recording, export to DAW, and more.

The Sample Editor has a well-thought-out feature set. You can easily adjust various parameters like gain, resonance, pitch, reverse the sample, and alter the trigger velocity between fixed and variable.

The polyrhythmic Drum Sequencer (MIDI import/export) is fast and flexible without being needlessly complicated. It doesn’t have a massive feature set, but it’s flexible because it makes the essential things easy to do.

Steps can be drawn or played in, and the time-saving Mirror Edit (mirrors a set number of beats) removes some tedious mouse-clicking. The Drum Sequencer works great for building and developing rhythms and sequences with your newly discovered samples.

Once you have created some sequences, you can modify or combine them easily. The sequences can be exported to the DAW for further editing and integration with your projects.

Atlas 2 features a capable drum sequencer.

Atlas 2 features a capable drum sequencer.

To the left of the Drum Sequencer, you’ll see the virtual drum pads. You can use the pads to create kits or trigger sequences, etc. I really like that you can change the layout between 1×8, 2×8, 4×4, and 8×8. The idea here is to match your MIDI controller (MPC, Launchpad, and so on) and make the interaction between the software and hardware feel seamless.

Atlas 2 has made some significant upgrades since the original release. The new Galaxy Mode lets you see every sample at once, the Sequencer is brand new, and the Content Browser is far more efficient.

Perhaps two of the most significant upgrades are that Atlas 2 now has a standalone version and a Linux version.

I love anything that helps you work faster and easier, but like many, I’m sometimes too set in my ways. That said, I’m keen to check Atlas 2 out more; it’s got me thinking about the hoards of forgotten samples collecting dust on my hard drives.

Atlas 2 is available in AU and VST3 formats for macOS, Windows, and Linux.

The Giveaway 🤩

Algonaut kindly offered to give away four FREE copies of Atlas 2 to four lucky BPB readers, and we would be crazy to say no! 🥳

UPDATE #1: The giveaway initially included two FREE copies of Atlas 2, but Algonaut loved the feedback from BPB readers and doubled the prize pool. So, we now have four FREE copies of Atlas 2 that will go to four lucky BPB readers!

Entering the giveaway is easier than ever. To enter, simply leave a comment below answering this question: What is your favorite genre of music?

Only one comment per person is allowed. We will randomly (using a software-based random comment picker) select two lucky winners on Monday, July 26th.

Good luck, everyone, and a big THANK YOU to Algonaut for this awesome giveaway! ❤️

UPDATE #2:  Drum roll, please! 🥁 The lucky winners are:

1) S. Nikolic: N******[email protected]
2) Bengi: b***********[email protected]
3) John: c******************[email protected]
4) J Munro: e*********[email protected]

Congratulations! 🏆

Thank you to everyone who participated. We have more giveaways and other surprises coming soon, so stay tuned. Thanks for reading BPB! :)

More info: Algonaut Atlas 2 ($99)

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About Author

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James is a musician and writer from Scotland. An avid synth fan, sound designer, and coffee drinker. Sometimes found wandering around Europe with an MPC in hand.

825 Comments

  1. My favorite genre is singer/songwriter stuff (Elliott Smith, Tomo Nakayama, etc.), but also whatever the hell the electronic side of that is: stuff from artists like Spoonbill or Mort Garson that are hard to pin down genre-wise, but they consistently sound like themselves.

  2. My favorite is a special genre called ‘I made that cool little tune you hear in your head when you scout BPM for freebies’.

  3. My favourite genre of music has to be Psy-Trance, for its ability to create altered states of consciousness, mimicking the rituals of ancient civilisations by negotiating liminality on the dancefloor.

  4. my favorite genre of music is trap hip hop and lofi because it take you immediatly in a the mood the composer wanted to

  5. Hello, well if I had to pick my favorite genre, I’d choose Other. Other is so vibrant and complex, yet smooth and inspiring! I like to take Other on long walks to de-esser it when it’s feelings get too compressed. There’s nothing quite like Other.

  6. My personal favorite is rap, especially boom bap type songs because I always loved that sampling, telling stories and rhymes over a beat!

  7. Jorge Santih

    on

    My favorite genre of music is Groove Jazz, Rock (indie, Blues, Metal), Country, Classic, Folk and Pop.

  8. my favorite genre is funk, I love the rhythm and improvisation that can be developed, I congratulate you for the excellent contributions page!!!!

  9. Adilbek Temirkhanov

    on

    It’s hard to pick one favourite specific genre out of all music that I listen, but I’d say it is electrofunk!

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