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Generative Drum & Bass with Atlas 2
🕑 Added 2025-06-20 14:07:26 +0000 UTCIn this video, I talk about rediscovering the Atlas plugin for drum and sample organization after mainly using XO in my past productions. I share how I set up different sample maps, making it easy to randomize and create new kits quickly while limiting the search just to the samples I want.
I show how you can easily lay down drum patterns, adjust velocities, loop lengths, and replace individual sounds to experiment and find the right groove.
I also demonstrate sending individual drum outputs to separate channels in Bitwig for more control and processing, layering synthesized drums on top of samples to get tighter and more consistent results, and using effects like EQ, compression, and transient shaping to finalize the sound.
I point out the flexibility Atlas brings and how it sparked some creative ideas for me, especially for genres like drum and bass or even ambient music. I hope this overview gives you some inspiration to explore or revisit Atlas in your own workflow.
Brief overview and reintroduction to the Atlas drum sampler plugin, comparing it with XO.
Explanation of "maps" in Atlas for organizing and indexing drum samples from different folders or sample packs.
Demonstration of rapid drum kit generation and sound randomization using Atlas's new kit feature.
Overview of Atlas's sequencer, highlighting its extended step capabilities compared to XO.
Building a basic drum and bass groove at 173 BPM, adjusting sample velocity, and step sequencing.
Classification system in Atlas for grouping sounds and the ability to customize or override it.
Routing individual pads/cells in Atlas to separate channels in Bitwig for further sound processing and mixing.
Stack processing techniques, including splitting frequency bands, using limiters, compression, and transient shaping for better drum sound.
Layering drum samples using Bitwig’s replacer to combine synthesized and sampled layers for both kick and snare.
Saving, recalling, and tweaking loop and kit presets to explore different ideas quickly.
Emphasis on workflow for creating generative and randomized beats, layering, and bouncing out samples for further music production.
Recommendation to try Atlas for its flexibility, frequent updates, and one-time purchase value.
Website: https://bit.ly/4k10dPE
Comments
Fraser
Excellent, might give this a go, have not been making great progress with my Rytm and have been thinking about moving it on and going ITB for drums, this technique might looks good.
Steve Betteridge
It's funny you mentioning atlas. I was looking at it a couple of months ago as I find xo quite limiting. Especially from the point of view that you can only have 2 patterns in a loop. But do you know what I've ended up doing? Pretty much just using bitwig drum machine. No limits whatsoever. And really granular control over each sound in a pattern. A bit of a faff to bounce separate stems out to audio but easy Ince you get the hang of it. The more I understand about production the less external vst's I use. Apart from ozone which is great. A little bit digital but great. Anyway, hope you had a good break mate!
