Xtended Piano vs Olafur Arnalds Stratus

The fundamental difference between Xtended Piano and Olafur Arnalds Stratus lies in their approach to experimental piano sounds: Xtended Piano is a sample-based instrument directly capturing diverse unconventional playing techniques, while Stratus utilizes a hybrid model involving recorded performances of algorithmic self-playing pianos.

Xtended Piano focuses on unique timbres derived from "bowed," "plucked," and "malleted" piano strings, offering 21 velocity layers and extensive user-configurable effects for sound shaping, alongside custom scale tunings. In contrast, Stratus, built around a Yamaha DU1E3 upright piano, supplies multi-layered piano and synthesizer matrixes with sophisticated MIDI algorithms that generate evolving harmonic refractions and rhythmic patterns, allowing users to trigger pre-arranged performances and textures.

Choose Xtended Piano if your priority is direct access to a wide array of unusual, percussive, and sustained acoustic piano manipulations for sound design. Choose Olafur Arnalds Stratus if you seek an interactive instrument that generates complex, evolving, and atmospheric piano-based textures and rhythmic movements automatically, ideal for ambient soundscapes and film scoring.

Products Compared

Insights from Real-World Use

Xtended Piano

  • Xtended Piano is incredibly versatile, offering many cool creative options.
  • It's fantastic that Xtended Piano works with the free Kontakt player.
  • Xtended Piano was a lot of fun to explore and it was one of the earliest prepared piano libraries that has been released which was an interesting surprise.
  • I've been playing with this all week. Love composing with the different pianos on top of each other.
  • Xtended Piano · Support · Free · EDU · Blog · Login To My Account. Polarity | Tension ... REVIEW | MARKUS JUNNIKKALA. "This is probably the best implementation of

Olafur Arnalds Stratus

  • Stratus is an atmosphere generator for immersive musical experiences, distinct from traditional piano libraries.
  • Stratus distinguishes itself by using actual recorded performances, not MIDI sequences.
  • I bought it and I like it a lot, but I think Spitfire's UI again leaves a lot to be desired. Why are so many of the wave icons along the top the same? Each column has a different playback sequence and
  • For those considering this, you should be aware that this is a very niche library. The matrix capabilities are great, but the piano samples are not…
  • https://www.spitfireaudio.com/olafur-arnalds-stratus?gad_source=1 · https ... Spitfire audio soft piano is pretty good and it's free. Future-Today-. • 2y