Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Join acclaimed Icelandic composer, producer, and artist Ólafur Arnalds as he delves into his unique creative process and studio workflow. While on tour with his techno duo Kiasmos, Ólafur dropped past the SynthTemple to discuss Pro Tools and MTRX.
Ólafur shares how he approaches songwriting, often starting with piano but increasingly exploring sounds to unlock new ideas and avoid creative patterns. He discusses his diverse instrumentation, from pianos and synths to string arrangements and beats, and how changing his starting point can drastically alter the outcome of a piece.
You’ll also get an inside look at Ólafur's technical setup, including his preference for Pro Tools MIDI (despite its "bad rap") and how the MTRX II brought a clearer bass and stereo image to his mixes, even in his live room. He also details how the MTRX II's routing possibilities have revolutionized his workflow, allowing seamless, latency-free integration between Pro Tools and Ableton Live. This "best of both worlds" setup enables him to combine the strengths of both DAWs without interruption, keeping audio tracks open for as long as he needs.
Beyond the technical, Ólafur shares his profound philosophy on the "human touch" in music, emphasizing that true expression comes from humans, not just virtual instruments. He also discusses his approach to live performance – making it unpredictable, unique, and a one-of-a-kind experience.
Finally, Ólafur explains why he starts every day with a new session rather than a template, importing specific elements as needed. For him, music isn't about saving time, but rather embracing the longer process and "weird turns" that lead to truly unique creations.
Learn more about Pro Tools ▶️ avid.com/pro-tools
Learn more about Pro Tools MTRX II ▶️ avid.com/products/pro-tools-mtrx-ii
Shot and Edited by Darcy Broom, Noise Gate, at SynthTemple
Produced by Drew Parsons
00.00 - SynthTemple Melbourne
00.15 - Composition starting points
01.35 - MIDI in Pro Tools
03.18 - MTRX II
04.12 - Routing between Pro Tools and Ableton Live
06.25 - The human touch
07.02 - Blank sessions
07.40 - Music takes time
Follow Avid Pro Tools:
youtube.com/avidprotools
facebook.com/avidprotools
instagram.com/avid.protools
twitter.com/avidprotools
linkedin.com/showcase/avid-pro-tools
snapchat.com/add/avidtechnology
tiktok.com/@avid.protools
#olafurarnalds #protools #synthtemple
Join acclaimed Icelandic composer, producer, and artist Ólafur Arnalds as he delves into his unique creative process and studio workflow. While on tour with his techno duo Kiasmos, Ólafur dropped past the SynthTemple to discuss Pro Tools and MTRX.
Ólafur shares how he approaches songwriting, often starting with piano but increasingly exploring sounds to unlock new ideas and avoid creative patterns. He discusses his diverse instrumentation, from pianos and synths to string arrangements and beats, and how changing his starting point can drastically alter the outcome of a piece.
You’ll also get an inside look at Ólafur's technical setup, including his preference for Pro Tools MIDI (despite its "bad rap") and how the MTRX II brought a clearer bass and stereo image to his mixes, even in his live room. He also details how the MTRX II's routing possibilities have revolutionized his workflow, allowing seamless, latency-free integration between Pro Tools and Ableton Live. This "best of both worlds" setup enables him to combine the strengths of both DAWs without interruption, keeping audio tracks open for as long as he needs.
Beyond the technical, Ólafur shares his profound philosophy on the "human touch" in music, emphasizing that true expression comes from humans, not just virtual instruments. He also discusses his approach to live performance – making it unpredictable, unique, and a one-of-a-kind experience.
Finally, Ólafur explains why he starts every day with a new session rather than a template, importing specific elements as needed. For him, music isn't about saving time, but rather embracing the longer process and "weird turns" that lead to truly unique creations.
Learn more about Pro Tools ▶️ avid.com/pro-tools
Learn more about Pro Tools MTRX II ▶️ avid.com/products/pro-tools-mtrx-ii
Shot and Edited by Darcy Broom, Noise Gate, at SynthTemple
Produced by Drew Parsons
00.00 - SynthTemple Melbourne
00.15 - Composition starting points
01.35 - MIDI in Pro Tools
03.18 - MTRX II
04.12 - Routing between Pro Tools and Ableton Live
06.25 - The human touch
07.02 - Blank sessions
07.40 - Music takes time
Follow Avid Pro Tools:
youtube.com/avidprotools
facebook.com/avidprotools
instagram.com/avid.protools
twitter.com/avidprotools
linkedin.com/showcase/avid-pro-tools
snapchat.com/add/avidtechnology
tiktok.com/@avid.protools
#olafurarnalds #protools #synthtemple
