SA252
Atlas Compressor User Guide
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Can I power the Atlas’s directly over USB, without using the 9 Volt supply?
No. USB provides 5 Volts, but the Atlas needs 9 Volts, so the Atlas cannot be powered directly from
USB. Make sure that you have plugged in the included 9V DC power supply when connecting to the
Atlas’s USB port.
When connecting the Atlas to a recording interface or mixer, should I use a Lo-Z
(microphone) or Hi-Z (line / instrument) input?
The Atlas’s output will be low impedance when the effect is active or in buffered bypass mode, but it
will be high impedance when using true bypass mode and a guitar with passive pickups. Therefore, it
is recommended that you use a high impedance (Hi-Z) input on your recording interface or mixer to
avoid signal loss.
Why doesn’t the Atlas respond to MIDI messages being sent to it?
By default, the Atlas should respond to MIDI continuous controller messages on channel 1. The
Atlas’s MIDI channel can be configured using the Neuro Editors. Channel numbers in MIDI use zero-
based counting, so MIDI channel 1 is described as 0 in hexadecimal, MIDI channel 2 is described as 1
in hexadecimal, and so on, concluding with MIDI channel 16, which is described as F in hexadecimal.
A continuous controller message starts with a hexadecimal B and is followed by the channel number
(0 through F).
So, the command byte from your MIDI controller should be formatted as shown in the following
table:
MIDI Channel
(Decimal)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
CC Command Byte
(Hex)
B0 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8 B9 BA BB BC BD BE BF
Each continuous controller command byte is followed by two bytes: the CC number and the value.
So, each CC message consists of a total of three bytes. If the Atlas is not responding to MIDI, make
sure that your MIDI controller is properly configured and sending messages in the format described
above.
Can I use the Atlas in my amp’s effects loop?
The Atlas’s audio inputs can handle up to 8.76 dBu or 6.0 Volts peak-to-peak, which allows it to work
in most amp effects loops. Be sure to check your amp’s documentation to verify that the maximum
send level is less than the Atlas’s maximum input level.
How do I update the firmware?
Firmware updates are available via the Neuro Desktop Editor using the USB port. Power the pedal
and connect it to your computer using a mini-USB cable. The Neuro Desktop Editor is available from
Source Audio’s website:
http://www.sourceaudio.net/editorsandfirmware.html
. While the pedal is
connected, select the Arrow Icon located in the Atlas Compressor square in the Connections field.
Mac isn’t letting me download your software?
Mac users may see this warning message when trying to open the Neuro Desktop software: “App
can’t be opened because it was not downloaded from the Mac App Store.” In order to run the Neuro