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Sampler
Atlas 2
Algonaut · $99
Atlas 2 is a sample organiser and drum machine combined that uses AI to scan and categorise drum samples for beat making.
8.1
Great8.1
GreatThe Dubspot verdict
A clever AI drum-sample organizer with a built-in sequencer that turns a chaotic sample folder into a searchable sonic map, though its production scope stays narrow.
Best for: Beat makers drowning in unsorted one-shot drum libraries who want fast, timbre-based sample discovery.
Pros
- AI 'sonic map' clusters drums by timbre for genuinely fast browsing
- Auto-tags and organizes messy sample folders instantly
- Lightweight, focused workflow with quick drag-out to your DAW
- Fair one-time $99 price with a full 14-day trial
Cons
- You must already own drum samples; it ships with little content
- Built-in sequencer and FX are basic versus dedicated drum plugins
- Narrow scope: it organizes one-shots, not loops or melodic material
Atlas 2 from Algonaut solves a problem every beat maker knows well: a hard drive full of thousands of unsorted drum one-shots. Instead of scrolling through folders named "kicks_final_v3," Atlas uses machine listening to analyze your samples and arrange them on a two-dimensional "sonic map." Similar sounds cluster together, so all your punchy kicks land in one region and your airy hats in another. It excels at turning that chaos into something you can browse by ear rather than by filename.
The map is the star here, and it is genuinely best-in-class for timbre-based drum discovery. Auto-tagging is fast and surprisingly accurate, and dragging a chosen sample straight into your DAW keeps the workflow frictionless. A built-in 16-step sequencer lets you sketch a beat inside the plugin, and there are basic per-pad shaping tools for quick tweaks.
The trade-off is scope. Atlas is an organizer first and a drum machine second. Its sequencer and effects are functional but thin next to dedicated instruments, and it ships with almost no factory content, so the tool is only as good as the library you already own. It handles one-shots, not loops or melodic material, which keeps it firmly in the utility category rather than the do-everything box.
Against its alternatives, the difference is philosophy. Kontakt 8 is a vastly deeper sampler but offers nothing like Atlas's automatic sonic map. Arcade leans on a streaming, loop-driven subscription model, and SampleTank 4 is a large multi-instrument workstation. None of them make sorting your own drum collection this painless.
At $99 as a one-time purchase, with a full-featured 14-day trial, Atlas 2 is easy to recommend to anyone whose sample folder has become unmanageable. If you want a complete drum-production suite, look elsewhere. If you want to actually find the perfect snare in seconds, this is the tool.
Specifications
- Type
- Sample organiser and drum machine
- Architecture
- 64-bit only
- macOS (Intel)
- macOS 10.13 High Sierra and above
- macOS (Apple Silicon)
- macOS 11 Big Sur and above (Native & Rosetta)
- Windows
- Windows 7 and above
- Linux (beta)
- Ubuntu 16.04 and 18.04 (other distros untested)
- Authorization
- Internet connection required to authorize; runs offline once authorized
Last verified 2026-06-16
FAQ
How much does Atlas 2 cost?
Atlas 2 is $99 USD. Upgrades from Atlas 1 are $19.
What plugin formats does Atlas 2 support?
Atlas 2 runs as a Standalone application or as a VST, VST3, AU, or AAX plugin in major DAWs.
Is there a free trial?
Yes. The Atlas 2 trial has all features unlocked and runs for 14 days, after which Atlas still outputs audio but the UI can no longer be edited.