Electro-Harmonix Pico Atomic Cluster

Pico Atomic Cluster
Spectral Decomposer

Deconstruct your tone to an atomic level with the Atomic Cluster Spectral Decomposer. Unlike any effect Electro-Harmonix has made before, this compact glitch and synth pedal breaks down your signal and interpolates it into a variety of musical and whimsical sounds. Using a unique algorithm to reduce the frequency resolution of your instrument, it creates a wide range of unique effects from rhythmic lo-fi glitch and auto-arpeggio tones to ambient synth pads and more!

The two main controls on the Atomic Cluster are the ATOMS and SPEED knobs. ATOMS controls the number of simultaneous resonant oscillations sounds at any moment, from a full spectrum of what is being processed down to a single note. With more oscillations, the tone is closer to your input signal. As the control is turned down, oscillations are reduced, creating a more pixelated, glitchier sound. The SPEED knob adjusts how quickly the pedal refreshes the oscillations, allowing you to control the timing and rhythm of the effect. Slower settings can mimic the sound of a rhythmic step filter while faster settings create a more chaotic random feeling effect. SPEED can also be set by tap tempo. Additional VOL and BLEND controls adjust overall output level and wet/dry mix respectively.

The MODE button toggles between SHARP and SMOOTH modes which choose the oscillation transition envelope shape. SHARP creates an instant transition for a more immediate, rhythmic effect. SMOOTH transitions between oscillations gradually, smoothly faded into one another for a more lush, ambient effect.

Controls:

1. VOL: Adjusts the output volume.
2. BLEND: Adjusts the output mix from 100% dry to 100% wet.
3. SPEED: Sets how quickly the algorithm refreshes the oscillations it produces. This can also be controlled via tap-tempo.
4. ATOMS: Sets how many oscillations are produced at a given moment. TIP 1: Setting SPEED and ATOMS to maximum will give you a sound close to your normal instrument sound. From there, play with lowering ATOMS and SPEED to get a feel for how these controls impact the effect. TIP 2: At lower numbers of ATOMS, you will likely get a more interesting and varied effect with a brighter input signal (a signal with more high frequency content). If using a guitar, consider the bridge pickup and/or using distortion before the Atomic Cluster.
5. MODE Button: This button is used to control the transition style between the different oscillations:

• Red – Sharp Mode The transition between oscillations is instant, for a more rhythmic effect.
  
• Green – Smooth Mode The transition between oscillations is smoothly faded, for a more lush, ambient effect.
  

NOTE: at very high SPEED settings, the difference between these two modes is subtle.

Specifications:

• Circuit : Digital
  
• Bypass : Buffered Bypass
  
• Audio : Mono
  
• Power Supply : 9.6VDC-200mA power adapter included
  
• Dimensions (in) : 3.65 x 2.0 x 2.0
  
• Current Draw : 100mA