Skip to content

First Steps

Let's not fuss around, but get you making sound!

First you'll need to provide Atrium with power. If you ordered a PSU with your instrument, you're good to go. Otherwise you'll need a USB-C power supply that can deliver 3A of 5V power. Most modern computers or battery power banks will work in a pinch!

  • Connect your PSU to Atrium's power port located behind the tempo knob, at the far left of your instrument.

Lights, wonderful lights! Take in the scenery for a moment, ahhh. A deep breath in, and now we need sound!

  • Connect Atrium's audio output to your speakers or headphones. Headphones, or a stereo 3.5mm cable should attach to the left jack (labeled phones on the front panel). See connectivity for other options.

The control most boring, yet most powerful:

  • Turn up volume, right by the audio output jacks.

At this point, the best thing to do is MOVE EVERY SLIDER AND KNOB AS QUICKLY AND DRAMATICALLY AS POSSIBLE.

Is this a joke? Certainly not a good one! But it teaches a valuable lesson — your best teacher on this journey will be your ears. Throughout this manual, you'll build a connection between gesture and resultant sound.

Interactions

If you're ready to start learning, there are a few pieces of context to keep in mind:

  • Firstly, notice the five frosted regions through which white & grey stripes are visible. These are touch sensitive, and a core interface into Atrium's polyphony.
  • Next, imagine splitting the interface in two — one half near (with the sliders), and the other far (with the power & audio cables). The controls nearest you are about the sound, while those further away are about the system. In the beginning, focus your attention on the nearer sound controls — they are more immediately satisfying, and easier to understand intuitively.
  • Sneak a peek at polyphony by holding the chord button and moving the notes slider. And remember, if things get strange you can reset everything by holding the load button, and pressing clear — loading nothingness.

That's it, you're ready to go.

Try and remember there's no rush, and take time with the sidequests that arise!