Source Audio ATLAS COMPRESSOR SA 252, User Manual, Page: 11 / 31

SA252 Atlas Compressor User Guide 11
Atlas Factory Presets
The Atlas comes equipped with six hand-tuned presets found on the three toggle switch and three
ALT + toggle switch positions. Each preset has already been optimized for sound and feel out of the
box without needing to connect the Atlas to the app or editors. Below is a description of each factory
preset.
STUDIO:
“ Studio Snap ” - A hard knee VCA style compressor that uses both Peak and RMS detectors to
create a dual-stage release and applies a dynamic EQ to enhance attacks.
OPTICAL:
“ Optical Rack ” - A gentler and more relaxed compressor based closely on a studio rack mount
staple, the LA2A optical compressor.
DUAL:
“ Dual Band ” - Based on modern digital processing, this is a two-band compressor that treats
frequencies under 333hz differently than those above. This allows for fewer compression artifacts and
an enhanced blooming sustain on chords or notes that ring out.
STUDIO (ALT):
“ Studio 76 ” - Based on the famous 1176, a studio rack mount FET compressor known for
its very fast attack times. This version has been optimized for use with guitar.
OPTICAL (ALT):
“ Cubic Zirconia ” - A less clean optical compressor based on a popular, discontinued
yellow compressor pedal that used an LED to achieve its compression.
DUAL (ALT):
“ Dual Jangle ” - A modern style dual band compressor that is aimed at enhancing
harmonics above 2000hz, but without adding additional harshness to pick attack. This works very well to
enhance 12 string guitars, Jangly strumming patterns, and arpeggiated picking techniques.
Optimized For Bass
The Atlas Compressor features an alternate set of factory presets tuned especially for bass. This
mode can be selected by holding down the CONTROL/ALT button while powering on the pedal. The
small green LED will blink once to indicate normal (guitar) mode and twice to indicate bass mode.
Release the CONTROL/ALT button to select the desired mode.
Most of the factory preset are the same name and description for bass. The noted discrepancies are
as follows:
• “ Dual Band ” has a frequency cutoff point at 82Hz for bass compared to 333hz for guitar.
•
“ Dual Jangle ” for guitar is named “ Dual Lookahead Bass ” for bass. It is a modern style dual
band compressor that is aimed at evening out string to string balance and maintaining
dynamic consistency when switching playing techniques. This mode also uses the Atlas'
Lookahead feature. This allows for faster reaction by the compressor without the artifacts
usually associated with very fast attack times.