Source Audio SA252 Atlas Compressor Pedal

Atlas Compressor

The Atlas Compressor offers a comprehensive collection of compression circuits that perfectly capture the tone and feel of the industry’s most sought-after compressors. Straight out of the box, Atlas delivers six different styles of compression, ranging from classic stompbox compressors like the now-discontinued Diamond Optical Compressor to high-end rack units such as the snappy 1176 compressor and the smooth and gentle LA2A optical compressor.

Optical Rack

The Optical Rack compressor engine is based on the legendary LA2A studio opto compressors from the early 60s. Optical compression controls its output level with light. Increasing the incoming audio level in the original units caused an electro luminescent panel to shine brighter. A photo resistor monitors that light panel and decreased the audio output level, as the panel got brighter.

Elite engineering cannot be rushed...

Offering up a deep library of compression options in a pedal is a landmark technical achievement.  We started working on compression in 2007.  At the time we developed some straightforward, high-end studio stuff that made it into the original Multiwave a year later. 

Bass Optimization Mode

We have made it easy to transform the Atlas into a bass guitar specific compression machine. With the push of a button, you can convert all six of Atlas’ onboard factory presets into low-end responsive compression engines, precisely optimized for the complexities of the bass guitar.  The dynamic range and attack characteristics are much different for bass than guitar.

Detailed Effects Editing With Neuro

On the surface, the Atlas features a simple 4-knob interface and a choice of six amazing compressors. However, if you want to take things to take things a bit further, we urge that you connect the Atlas to our Neuro Preset Editing & Browsing tools. The Neuro Mobile App is available for free at the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android). The Neuro Desktop Editor is available as a free download for Mac or Windows systems on our Downloads page.

Pedal

• 6 Types of Compression: The Atlas offers many different styles of compression with sounds inspired by studio rack gear and classic effects pedals.
• LA2A Optical Compression: A faithful recreation of an electro luminescent panel combined with a photo resistor and the resulting warm and smooth compression that has been the standard in studios since the 1950s.
• 1176 Feedback FET Compression: Based on the solid state FET compressor known for its full body and super-fast attack.
• LED Optical Compressor: Inspired by pedals that work on a similar concept as the LA2A, but swap the electro luminescent panel for an LED and a quicker, dirtier response.
• Dual Compressors: Use Atlas’ dual compressors in a variety of ways: in Series, Parallel, or Band Split mode, which provides a separate set of controls for both high and low frequencies.
• Studio Level Compression Controls: Access all the essential compression parameters including Feedback, Ratio, Attack, Release, Makeup Gain, Mix, and Tone, either with the pedal’s knobs or the Neuro Editor.

Neuro Editor

• Growing Library of Published Presets: Quickly test and download sounds from the ever-expanding collection of published User Presets created by Source Audio and the rest of the Atlas Compressor/Neuro Editor Community.
• Deep Effects Editing Capabilities: Use the Neuro Desktop Editor (free download for Mac and Windows) or the Neuro Mobile App (free for iOS and Android) to create, store, and share highly customized filter effects.
• Dual Compressor: Use Atlas’ dual compressors in a variety of ways: in Series, Parallel, or Band Split mode, which provides a separate set of controls for both high and low frequencies.
• ​Dan Armstrong Orange Squeezer: A gritty compression inspired by the vintage 1970s unit that graced classic tracks like Steely Dan’s “Peg” and Dire Straits’ “Sultans of Swing.” Available in the Neuro Editor.
• Look Ahead Compression: A classic studio trick. When engaged, Look Ahead creates an imperceptible latency in the signal that “looks into the future” and allows for an extra quick and smooth attack that without any additional distortion or artifacts.

Midi

• Preset Saving – Save up to 128 effect presets.
• MIDI Mapping – Use the Neuro Desktop Editor to easily map MIDI Continuous Controller (CC) messages to a comprehensive list of parameters.
• Preset Recall - Use MIDI CC numbers 103 & 104 to recall any of the Spectrum's 128 MIDI accessible presets.
• The Neuro Hub - Connect the Spectrum to the Neuro Hub and use MIDI CC messages to control parameters or recall presets.
• ​Note: As of Hub fw 1.18 and Spectrum fw 1.05, the Spectrum can now be added to scenes, is visible through the Hub, and can be controlled by PC messages, giving you the full access to 128 preset slots.