0x808 vs Atlas 2

0x808 is a drum machine, step sequencer, and synthesizer for Linux, macOS, and Windows. It can run as a standalone workstation or as VST3 and CLAP plugins, and the project also provides terminal and plugin frontends. The drum grid has 16 tracks with per-step velocity and pitch controls, plus mute and solo. Patterns can be chained in song or perform mode. Sound options include subtractive, four-operator FM, and wavetable synthesis with built-in presets. The sample browser loads WAV, MP3, and FLAC files, and the project includes 72 CC0 drum samples. Effects include filter, delay, reverb, overdrive, fuzz, and chorus, with per-track and master-bus options. Offline export supports WAV at 16-, 24-, or 32-bit and MP3 at 128–320k; MP3 export requires an optional build setting. USB MIDI works on the listed desktop platforms, but Bluetooth MIDI is not directly supported. The project is free and open source under an MIT license. Downloads include Windows installers and portable ZIPs, Linux tarballs and AppImages, and macOS DMGs and ZIPs. The README says dependencies are vendored and there are no external runtime dependencies.

Atlas 2 uses AI to sort and organize drum samples, helping users find sounds and build beats. It runs as a standalone application or as a VST, VST3, AU or AAX plugin in major DAWs, with downloads for macOS, Windows and Linux; Linux support is experimental. It accepts formats including WAV, AIFF, FLAC, OGG, MP3 and WMA. The drum sequencer imports MIDI while preserving its original timing, supports polyrhythms, and exports MIDI and audio loops. Users can map MIDI, send MIDI to other plugins or hardware, and drag drum pads into applications such as Ableton Drum Rack. Samples can be embedded in a DAW project with the Atlas plugin instance. The 14-day trial unlocks all features, then continues outputting audio but hides the interface and prevents editing. The full version costs 99.00 USD as a one-time purchase and can be installed on three machines; it is 64-bit only.