EHX Pico Atomic Cluster: The Most Interesting Pedal of the Year?
Hazy, fluttery sounds for guitars AND synths!
5,0 / 5,0 | 
EHX Pico Atomic Cluster: The Most Exciting New Pedal of the Year? · Source: Electro Harmonix
Electro Harmonix has introduced the Pico Atomic Cluster. Unlike many other pedals in the Pico series, this one is an original idea, not based on a bigger version. This so-called “Spectral Decomposer” brings EHX into Chase Bliss territory, sonically speaking. But it’s a much smaller, more approachable design.
Pico Atomic Cluster: Spectral Decomposer
I know, I know, “the most XYZ” is always a bit of a stretch. There are just too many pedals coming out and too many different needs and wants within the pedal community to agree on a single release. But the Pico Atomic Cluster seems to be the rare case of a pretty unique effect that’s not filled with knobs, buttons, and dozens of secondary functions.
So far, EHX’s Pico series has mainly focused on condensing some of their most beloved pedals into compact, pedal-board-friendly cases, retaining the essential functions of their larger counterparts. We’ve seen the Platform compressor, the 360+ looper, or most recently, the Pico Swello. The Pico Atomic Cluster takes Electro Harmonix, or even the pedal world as a whole, into entirely new sonic territory.
The Pico Atomic Cluster can do two types of sounds: either more fluttery, glitchy “atomic” sounds or more pad-like, hazy textures. The glitchy sounds remind me of some of the super bit-crushed sounds of CBA’s Lossy or even Absynth’s Aetherizer effect (those who know, know). The hazy sounds, at times, even get you into Mk.Gee territory.
Simple Controls, Endless New Sounds
Given its size and the simplicity of its workflow, the Pico Atomic Cluster offers a surprising amount of sonic versatility. The most important dial is the Atomic control. The more you turn it counter-clockwise, the more it breaks apart the signal, which, technically speaking, determines “the number of resonant oscillations at a given moment”. Once it’s fully turned left, it just sounds like a couple of fluttery sine waves.
With Speed, the knob next to it, you determine how fluttery your signal sounds, ie, how often the pedal “refreshes the oscillators”, as EHX puts it. The Pico Atomic Cluster also offers tap tempo functionality to change and adapt the algorithm’s speed.
The third unique parameter of the pedal changes the envelopes of said oscillations. The standard mode Sharp results in those glitchy, fluttery oscillations. With the Mode button, you can switch to the Smooth mode. Here, the sounds become much more textural and pad-like. With the Blend knob, you determine the amount of dry/wet, while the Volume knob sets the overall level of the effect.
How much does the EHX Pico Atomic Cluster cost?
The EHX Pico Atomic Cluster is available for €129.00 at Thomann*.
More on the new pedal from Electro Harmonix
*Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links and/or widgets. When you buy a product via our affiliate partner, we receive a small commission that helps support what we do. Don’t worry, you pay the same price. Thanks for your support!
This might also interest you
One response to “EHX Pico Atomic Cluster: The Most Interesting Pedal of the Year?”
I hope they also release a full, non-Pico version with clock sync (MIDI or CV). And if it’s stereo on top of that, I’ll buy it right away.