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Ólafur Arnalds Stratus

Stratus is a vast, dynamic instrument designed to add depth, movement and colour to your music through an intricate network of polyrhythmic piano performances.

  • Overview
  • Listen
  • Walkthrough
  • What's included
  • Tech specs

    • The piano, reimagined

    Fusing the power of technology with the organic beauty and emotion of the piano, Stratus is a vast, dynamic new instrument that will add depth, movement and colour to your music. Made in collaboration with BAFTA-winning Icelandic composer and producer Ólafur Arnalds, this versatile, multidimensional tool bends space and time through an intricate network of polyrhythmic piano performances. Awe-inspiring patterns and atmospheric clouds of harmonic refractions swell and die away at your fingertips, unfolding based on what you play and instantly sparking new ideas.

    Instantly playable and easy-to-use, Stratus is presented in a bespoke interface made up of eight multi-layered piano and synthesizer matrixes, each offering a unique sonic experience — plus detailed customisation options and mind-blowing warped sounds, offering a full spectrum of emotion.

    In this page:

    • Hard drive delivery available at checkout
    • You can buy now and download any time
    Students & educators save 30%

    Download user manual

    Includes Kontakt Player (free download)

    Compatible with NKS

    Spitfire Audio App Spitfire Audio App required

    Polyrhythmic piano

    Mercury synth

    Kontakt Player

    Listen to Ólafur Arnalds Stratus

    Contextual

    Stratus only

    Features BBC Symphony Orchestra

    Contextual

    Contextual

    Contextual

    Contextual

    Olafur Arnalds in his studio

    Stratus GUI

    Bespoke interface featuring eight 8x8 matrixes complete with five Z-axis layers

    • Rhythmic waves: tempo-synced rhythms with a gradual attack/swell
    • Rhythmic attacks: tempo-synced rhythms with a strong attack
    • Looped rhythms: tempo-synced loops
    • Swarms: non tempo-synced swarm-like textures
    • Synth matrix: looped rhythms
    • Synth matrix: swarms
    • Synth matrix: swarms
    • Synth matrix - looped rhythms shorts 1
    • Synth matrix - loaded rhythms shorts 2
    • Tempo-sync
    • Quantise on input
    • Polyphony - select how many voices are triggered at once
    • Straight piano overplay - play straight piano on top of evolving patterns
    • Low note priority, for added stability to bass lines
    • ADSR and a comprehensive range of effects
    • Randomise and evolve functions
    • Three straight piano presets with left, centre and right signal options
    • Warped synth content, presented in our mercury synth engine
    • NKS ready

    Stratus works by taking a single note and repeating it according to a curated rhythm, splitting the rhythm between the two self-playing pianos while at the same time relocating the note up or down the octave based on a curated level of randomness, that chooses whether or not the octave should jump. Where our Evo Grid technology is triggered by note range, the Stratus matrix works by voice groups — dependent on the order in which you play the notes, and how many you play.

    Mics over a piano

    The making of Stratus was my way-over-the-top way of getting over a writer's block I had been suffering from. The excitement and thrill of creating something so unlike what I'd done before sparked countless new ideas.

    Ólafur Arnalds

    Olafur Arnalds composing in his studio
    controllers

    Olafur artwork

    The Ólafur Collection

    Buy the full collection and save

    Stratus engine

    Olafur Arnalds Stratus GUI
    The bespoke Stratus interface is designed for the selection and playback of samples on a per-voice basis, offering a huge number of curated combinations of patterns with a few simple clicks on each Matrix, as well as Randomise and Evolve options which produce ever-changing patterns. Add effects using the FX page and assign these to the Quick FX bar for easy access. Quantise and synchronise options ensure your chosen patterns fit effortlessly into your composition.

    Mercury synth

    Stratus mercury synth
    This ingenious user interface features a range of organic sounds and specially curated warped sounds. All of the controls are assignable to your control surface, giving you the ability to instantly make our sounds your own.

    What's included

    Instruments

    • 01a Matrix - Rhythmic Waves
    • 01b Matrix - Rhythmic Attacks
    • 02 Matrix - Looped Rhythms
    • 03 Matrix - Swarms
    • 04 Synth Matrix - Looped Rhythms
    • 05 Synth Matrix - Swarms
    • 06 Synth Matrix - Looped Rhythms Shorts 1
    • 07 Synth Matrix - Looped Rhythms Shorts 2

    01A Matrix - rhythmic waves

    8ths
    • Rhythmic Waves - 8th Long 01
    • Rhythmic Waves - 8th Long 02
    • Rhythmic Waves - 8th Long 03
    • Rhythmic Waves - 8th Long 04
    • Rhythmic Waves - 8th Short 01
    • Rhythmic Waves - 8th Short 02
    • Rhythmic Waves - 8th Short 03
    • Rhythmic Waves - 8th Short 04
    16ths
    • Rhythmic Waves - 16th Long 01
    • Rhythmic Waves - 16th Long 02
    • Rhythmic Waves - 16th Long 03
    • Rhythmic Waves - 16th Long 04
    • Rhythmic Waves - 16th Short 01
    • Rhythmic Waves - 16th Short 02
    • Rhythmic Waves - 16th Short 03
    • Rhythmic Waves - 16th Short 04

    01B Matrix - rhythmic attacks

    8ths
    • Rhythmic Attacks - 8th Long 01
    • Rhythmic Attacks - 8th Long 02
    • Rhythmic Attacks - 8th Long 03
    • Rhythmic Attacks - 8th Long 04
    • Rhythmic Attacks - 8th Short 01
    • Rhythmic Attacks - 8th Short 02
    • Rhythmic Attacks - 8th Short 03
    • Rhythmic Attacks - 8th Short 04
    16ths
    • Rhythmic Attacks - 16th Long 01
    • Rhythmic Attacks - 16th Long 02
    • Rhythmic Attacks - 16th Long 03
    • Rhythmic Attacks - 16th Long 04
    • Rhythmic Attacks - 16th Short 01
    • Rhythmic Attacks - 16th Short 02
    • Rhythmic Attacks - 16th Short 03
    • Rhythmic Attacks - 16th Short 04

    02 Matrix - looped rhythms

    8ths
    • Looped Rhythms 8th - 01 (90BPM)
    • Looped Rhythms 8th - 01 (120BPM)
    • Looped Rhythms 8th - 02 (90BPM)
    • Looped Rhythms 8th - 02 (120BPM)
    • Looped Rhythms 8th - 03 (90BPM)
    • Looped Rhythms 8th - 03 (120BPM)
    • Looped Rhythms 8th - 04 (90BPM)
    • Looped Rhythms 8th - 04 (120BPM)
    • Looped Rhythms 8th - 05 (90BPM)
    • Looped Rhythms 8th - 05 (120BPM)
    • Looped Rhythms 8th - 06 (90BPM)
    • Looped Rhythms 8th - 06 (120BPM)
    • Looped Rhythms 8th - 07 (90BPM)
    • Looped Rhythms 8th - 07 (120BPM)
    • Looped Rhythms 8th - 08 (90BPM)
    • Looped Rhythms 8th - 08 (120BPM)
    16ths
    • Looped Rhythms 16th - 01 (90BPM)
    • Looped Rhythms 16th - 01 (120BPM)
    • Looped Rhythms 16th - 02 (90BPM)
    • Looped Rhythms 16th - 02 (120BPM)
    • Looped Rhythms 16th - 03 (90BPM)
    • Looped Rhythms 16th - 03 (120BPM)
    • Looped Rhythms 16th - 04 (90BPM)
    • Looped Rhythms 16th - 04 (120BPM)
    • Looped Rhythms 16th - 05 (90BPM)
    • Looped Rhythms 16th - 05 (120BPM)
    • Looped Rhythms 16th - 06 (90BPM)
    • Looped Rhythms 16th - 06 (120BPM)
    • Looped Rhythms 16th - 07 (90BPM)
    • Looped Rhythms 16th - 07 (120BPM)
    • Looped Rhythms 16th - 08 (90BPM)
    • Looped Rhythms 16th - 08 (120BPM)

    03 Matrix - swarms

    Swarms 01 - subtle long
    • Swarms 01 - Subtle Long 01
    • Swarms 01 - Subtle Long 02
    • Swarms 01 - Subtle Long 03
    • Swarms 01 - Subtle Long 04
    • Swarms 01 - Subtle Long 05
    Swarms 02 - busy long
    • Swarms 02 - Busy Long 01
    • Swarms 02 - Busy Long 02
    • Swarms 02 - Busy Long 03
    • Swarms 02 - Busy Long 04
    • Swarms 02 - Busy Long 05
    Swarms 03 - subtly dynamic long
    • Swarms 03 - Subtly Dynamic Long 01
    • Swarms 03 - Subtly Dynamic Long 02
    • Swarms 03 - Subtly Dynamic Long 03
    • Swarms 03 - Subtly Dynamic Long 04
    • Swarms 03 - Subtly Dynamic Long 05
    Swarms 04 - busy dynamic long
    • Swarms 04 - Busy Dynamic Long 01
    • Swarms 04 - Busy Dynamic Long 02
    • Swarms 04 - Busy Dynamic Long 03
    • Swarms 04 - Busy Dynamic Long 04
    • Swarms 04 - Busy Dynamic Long 05
    Swarms 05 - subtly dynamic short
    • Swarms 05 - Subtly Dynamic Short 01
    • Swarms 05 - Subtly Dynamic Short 02
    • Swarms 05 - Subtly Dynamic Short 03
    • Swarms 05 - Subtly Dynamic Short 04
    • Swarms 05 - Subtly Dynamic Short 05
    • Swarms 06 - Busy Dynamic Short 01
    • Swarms 06 - Busy Dynamic Short 02
    • Swarms 06 - Busy Dynamic Short 03
    • Swarms 06 - Busy Dynamic Short 04
    • Swarms 06 - Busy Dynamic Short 05
    Swarms 07 - attack long
    • Swarms 07 - Attack Long 01
    • Swarms 07 - Attack Long 02
    • Swarms 07 - Attack Long 03
    • Swarms 07 - Attack Long 04
    • Swarms 07 - Attack Long 05
    Swarms 08 - attack short
    • Swarms 08 - Attack Short 01
    • Swarms 08 - Attack Short 02
    • Swarms 08 - Attack Short 03
    • Swarms 08 - Attack Short 04
    • Swarms 08 - Attack Short 05

    04 Synth matrix - looped rhythms

    • Synth - Looped Rhythms 01 (90BPM)
    • Synth - Looped Rhythms 01 (120BPM)
    • Synth - Looped Rhythms 02 (90BPM)
    • Synth - Looped Rhythms 02 (120BPM)
    • Synth - Looped Rhythms 03 (90BPM)
    • Synth - Looped Rhythms 03 (120BPM)
    • Synth - Looped Rhythms 04 (90BPM)
    • Synth - Looped Rhythms 04 (120BPM)
    • Synth - Looped Rhythms 05 (90BPM)
    • Synth - Looped Rhythms 05 (120BPM)
    • Synth - Looped Rhythms 06 (90BPM)
    • Synth - Looped Rhythms 06 (120BPM)
    • Synth - Looped Rhythms 07 (90BPM)
    • Synth - Looped Rhythms 07 (120BPM)
    • Synth - Looped Rhythms 08 (90BPM)
    • Synth - Looped Rhythms 08 (120BPM)

    05 Synth matrix - swarms

    • Synth - Swarms 01
    • Synth - Swarms 02
    • Synth - Swarms 03
    • Synth - Swarms 04
    • Synth - Swarms 05
    • Synth - Swarms 06
    • Synth - Swarms 07
    • Synth - Swarms 08

    06 Synth matrix - looped rhythms: shorts 1

    • Synth - Looped Rhythms Shorts 1 - 01 (90BPM)
    • Synth - Looped Rhythms Shorts 1 - 01 (120BPM)
    • Synth - Looped Rhythms Shorts 1 - 02 (90BPM)
    • Synth - Looped Rhythms Shorts 1 - 02 (120BPM)
    • Synth - Looped Rhythms Shorts 1 - 03 (90BPM)
    • Synth - Looped Rhythms Shorts 1 - 03 (120BPM)
    • Synth - Looped Rhythms Shorts 1 - 04 (90BPM)
    • Synth - Looped Rhythms Shorts 1 - 04 (120BPM)
    • Synth - Looped Rhythms Shorts 1 - 05 (90BPM)
    • Synth - Looped Rhythms Shorts 1 - 05 (120BPM)
    • Synth - Looped Rhythms Shorts 1 - 06 (90BPM)
    • Synth - Looped Rhythms Shorts 1 - 06 (120BPM)
    • Synth - Looped Rhythms Shorts 1 - 07 (90BPM)
    • Synth - Looped Rhythms Shorts 1 - 07 (120BPM)
    • Synth - Looped Rhythms Shorts 1 - 08 (90BPM)
    • Synth - Looped Rhythms Shorts 1 - 08 (120BPM)

    07 Synth matrix - looped rhythms: shorts 2

    • Synth - Looped Rhythms Shorts 2 - 01 (90BPM)
    • Synth - Looped Rhythms Shorts 2 - 01 (120BPM)
    • Synth - Looped Rhythms Shorts 2 - 02 (90BPM)
    • Synth - Looped Rhythms Shorts 2 - 02 (120BPM)
    • Synth - Looped Rhythms Shorts 2 - 03 (90BPM)
    • Synth - Looped Rhythms Shorts 2 - 03 (120BPM)
    • Synth - Looped Rhythms Shorts 2 - 04 (90BPM)
    • Synth - Looped Rhythms Shorts 2 - 04 (120BPM)
    • Synth - Looped Rhythms Shorts 2 - 05 (90BPM)
    • Synth - Looped Rhythms Shorts 2 - 05 (120BPM)
    • Synth - Looped Rhythms Shorts 2 - 06 (90BPM)
    • Synth - Looped Rhythms Shorts 2 - 06 (120BPM)
    • Synth - Looped Rhythms Shorts 2 - 07 (90BPM)
    • Synth - Looped Rhythms Shorts 2 - 07 (120BPM)
    • Synth - Looped Rhythms Shorts 2 - 08 (90BPM)
    • Synth - Looped Rhythms Shorts 2 - 08 (120BPM)

    Pianos

    • Stratus Piano - Centre
    • Stratus Piano - Left
    • Stratus Piano - Right

    Warps

    • Amends
    • Beauty Calls
    • Bouncer
    • Chamber
    • Choir of Fifths
    • Choir of Fourths
    • Comes and Goes
    • Deep Down Under
    • Dream Station
    • Drifting Waves
    • Dusty Tape
    • Enter The Void
    • Ethereal Calls
    • Fading Lights
    • Falling Apart
    • Fuzz Do Wah
    • Ghosting Box
    • Granular Piano
    • Grated Keys
    • Harmonic Friends
    • Healing Pad
    • Hooter Pad
    • Midtown Mall
    • Mondo Bass
    • Moon Ship
    • Muffled Echoes
    • Opening Theme
    • Pulse Wave
    • Random Access Memory
    • Ring On
    • Scyfer
    • Sub Bass
    • The Aquatic Life
    • When The Angels Cry
    • Wobble Brigade

    Videos

    Testimonials

    Endless in its permutations — the sounds are truly sublime

    Great for soundtrack work, or anyone who wants to add texture to their music

    Glorious sound, Inspiring to play

    FAQs

    What products does this work well with?

    Olafur Arnalds Stratus works well with all of the products in our Olafur Collection: Olafur Arnalds Composer Toolkit, Olafur Arnalds Evolutions and Olafur Arnalds Chamber Evolutions, recorded and curated to co-exist within the same sound world. It also complements Albion Tundra & Albion NEO — two progressive orchestral based libraries, designed for creating modern cinematic music.


    Does this product contain content from other existing products?

    No.


    Once I have downloaded Ólafur Arnalds Stratus, how do I install it?

    We have a handy video guide on how to activate your library here.

    Read more FAQs for this product

    Tech specs

    Mac system requirements

    Mac OS 11, 12 or 13 

    Both Intel and Apple Silicon/ARM are supported

    Minimum: 2.8GHz i5 minimum (quad-core), 8GB RAM

    Recommended: 2.8GHz I7 (six-core), 16GB RAM

    32-bit systems are not supported.

    PC system requirements

    Windows 10 or Windows 11 - (Latest Service Pack, 64-bit)

    Minimum: Intel 2.8 GHz i5 (quad-core) or AMD Ryzen 5, 8GB RAM

    Recommended: Intel Core i7 6th gen and later or AMD Ryzen 7, 16GB RAM

    32-bit systems are not supported.

    File size

    15.2 GB download size

    15.20 GB disk space required during install

    Too large to download? Choose hard drive delivery at checkout


    Kontakt player

    Kontakt Player 5.6.8 or higher required

    Ólafur Arnalds Stratus sounds great with…