COMPLEX PHYSICS IN A SIMPLE PACKAGE
Physical modeling simulates the behavior of real-life instruments. But Atoms takes you beyond what is possible in the natural world. Its features are deep enough to explore the limits of sound design, but are so simple that you can easily change, shape and create.
Atoms It is powered by a simulation of interconnected masses and springs with adjustable properties and dimensions. The model is driven by a virtual arc action that excites the system and makes it vibrate to generate sound.
A LIVING ORGANISM
Nothing in the natural world is truly static. Physical modeling mimics this by generating sounds with the same organic fluctuations as acoustic instruments.
Atoms goes even further. Its six main parameters can be automated with a selection of powerful movement options to add extra life. This allows you to create soundscapes that are constantly changing and regenerating, like a natural organism.
If you are used to working with sample libraries, the Atoms will bring a new level of otherworldly realism to your tracks.
PROGRAM NEW PATCHES WITH ONE CLICK
Atoms comes equipped with a powerful randomization engine. It's a musically calibrated algorithm that selectively adjusts each parameter based on its relationship to the others, providing usable patches with each roll of the dice.
You can further restrict the algorithm by limiting the random ranges of any button or blocking the parameters from changing.
Finally, the Recycle button is a second randomizer that will create new patches similar to the current patch. Once you have a sound you like, click recycle to explore related options.
PHYSICALLY MODELED EFFECTS
The bottom panel offers a variety of creative effects to further sculpt your sound. You can also choose between four sound profiles, each offering a different simulation structure.
With the exception of Space (reverb), all effects in the bottom panel are created within the physical model itself. This offers a range of unique modulation effects that are an inherent part of the physical model and sound more natural than any separate effects chain ever would.
In essence, Atoms it's like a bowed string instrument created in a science lab, living and breathing with a mind of its own. It's capable of everything from sci-fi ambiances to naturalistic string sounds. How the Atoms is based on a virtual acoustic structure, you can think of it as an evolution of a traditional musical instrument.
O Atoms comes with 250 presets created by industry-leading sound designers. This includes a free expansion pack called “Radioactive” from Zardonic, which explores the darker, more distorted sides of the instrument.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND ATOMS
Atoms is a collaboration between Baby Audio and Silvin Willemsen, postdoctoral researcher at Eindhoven University of Technology.
Silvin has a PhD in Real-Time Simulation of Musical Instruments from Aalborg University and is the author and co-author of 25 academic articles on the topic of physical modeling. Watch the video for a deep dive into Atoms.
