Output

We’ve all been there. Staring at a blank Ableton or Logic session, the cursor blinking tauntingly, a universe of potential sound somehow collapsing into the crushing weight of… nothing. That dreaded creative block. It’s a feeling I know all too well. You cycle through the same five synth presets you always use, you load up the same drum rack, and before you know it, you’ve made another carbon copy of your last track. Yawn.

For years, I've been on a quest for tools that don't just fill a need but actually spark an idea. And that’s a quest that inevitably leads you to the digital doorstep of Output. If you’ve spent any time in music production circles online, you’ve heard the name. They’re the cool kids on the block. Their aesthetic is clean, their marketing is slick, and their roster of users reads like a Grammy's afterparty list: Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar, Post Malone and Billie Eilish. But as we all know, hype doesn’t write a chorus.

So, I wanted to cut through the noise. Are these tools genuinely game-changing, or are they just another expensive VST collection with a great marketing team? I’ve spent some serious time with their ecosystem, and I have some thoughts.

What Exactly is the Output Ecosystem?

First thing to get straight: Output isn’t just one plugin. It's more like a specialised kitchen full of unique, high-tech gadgets for sound. You don’t go there for a basic utility knife; you go there for that one weirdly shaped Japanese blade that does something nothing else can. They’ve built an entire ecosystem of instruments, effects, and sample engines that all share a similar philosophy: to make modern, production-ready sounds that are immediately inspiring and endlessly tweakable.

Their main product lines can be broken down into a few key areas:

• Output Arcade: A subscription-based sample playground that's constantly growing.
• Output Instruments: A collection of iconic, standalone VSTs like Exhale, Substance, and Analog Strings.
• Output FX: A suite of truly creative effects plugins like Portal, Thermal, and Movement that can mangle sound in the best possible way.
• Newer Tools: They're always innovating, with things like their AI-powered Co-Producer to help you find the perfect sample.

Visit Output

It’s a lot to take in, I know. But the common thread is a focus on creativity above all else. These aren’t tools for purists trying to perfectly emulate a 1960s compressor. These are for creators trying to find a sound that makes them go, “Whoa, what was that?”

Output Arcade: The Game-Changer That Keeps on Giving

If there’s one product that put Output on the map for the masses, it’s Arcade. Calling it a sample library feels like a massive underservice. It’s really a playable sample synthesizer. Instead of just getting a folder of WAV files, you get a beautiful plugin filled with curated “Lines” (sound packs) that are loaded into a custom engine with macros, effects, and a built-in keyboard that locks everything to the key of your song.

The real magic? It’s constantly updated. Every single day, new sounds are added. Every day. That’s insane. It's like having a Netflix subscription for sounds. Feeling uninspired? Just open Arcade, browse a new Line, and within minutes you have a new melodic loop, a chopped vocal, or a percussive texture you would never have thought of on your own.

Of course, it’s a subscription ($10-$15 a month, depending on the plan). I know some producers are allergic to subscriptions, and I get it. We have enough of them. But in my book, for the sheer volume and quality of fresh, usable content you get, it’s one of the best deals in music production today. It has single-handedly saved me from creative droughts more times than I can count.

The Heavy Hitters: Output's Iconic Instruments

Before Arcade took over, Output made its name with a series of powerful, one-shot VST instruments. These are the big boys. They aren’t cheap, but they are specialists, designed to do one thing exceptionally well.

Exhale and the Power of Vocal Chops

I have to start with EXHALE. When this thing dropped, it changed the game for modern vocal sounds in pop and electronic music. It’s a playable vocal engine that gives you everything from ethereal pads to heavily processed, stuttering hooks. For years, if you heard a cool, breathy vocal chop on the radio, there was a good chance it came from Exhale. It's still a go-to for me when I need that modern vocal texture without spending hours chopping up an acapella myself.

Analog Strings, Brass, and Substance for Texture

Then you have their other instruments like Analog Strings, Analog Brass & Winds, and Substance (a bass engine). The key thing to understand here is that these are not meant to be realistic emulations. You don’t buy Analog Strings to replace a real orchestra. You buy it to create massive, layered, synthetic string textures that sound like they were sampled from a Vangelis soundtrack and then remixed by a modern trap producer. They blend real recordings with layers of synthesis, and the result is just… huge. They're perfect for adding depth and cinematic flair to a track.

Let's Get Weird with Output FX

Okay, this is my favorite part of the Output family. Their FX plugins are not for the faint of heart. These aren’t your boring EQs or compressors. These are creative effects. They are instruments in their own right, designed to completely transform your audio.

• Portal: My personal favorite. It’s a granular effects plugin. In simple terms, it takes your audio, chops it into tiny little grains, and then reassembles them in mind-bending ways. You can turn a simple piano melody into a shimmering, rhythmic cloud of sound. It’s like shoving your audio through a wormhole and seeing what comes out the other side. Sometimes it’s beautiful, sometimes it’s terrifying, but it’s never boring.
• Thermal: This is their interactive distortion plugin. Again, think beyond a simple guitar amp sim. This is a multi-band distortion unit that lets you apply different types of grit and saturation to different frequency ranges. You can make your bass warm and fuzzy while making the high-end sizzle and crackle. It's brilliant for sound design.
• Movement: An incredibly complex but powerful rhythm and modulation engine. It adds rhythmic complexity to any sound source, turning static pads into evolving, pulsating textures.

If you're an adventurous sound designer, this trio is an absolute must-see. They can breathe life into the most boring sounds imaginable.

The Elephant in the Room: The Price Tag

Alright, let's talk money. Output's tools are professional-grade, and they come with a professional price tag. A single instrument like Exhale or Portal can set you back around $199. If you want the whole suite, buying them individually would cost a small fortune. This is probably the biggest drawback for many hobbyists or producers on a tight budget.

However, they seem to understand this. They offer bundles, like the complete Output Bundle, which saves you a significant amount if you plan on getting everything. They also run sales pretty regularly, especially around Black Friday, so its worth keeping an eye out.

My advice? Start with Arcade. It’s the most accessible entry point and gives you a real feel for the Output philosophy. If you love it, you can then consider investing in one of the standalone instruments or effects that best suits your workflow.

Who Is Output Really For?

After all this, it’s clear that Output isn't for everyone. And that's okay. If you're a folk musician who just wants to record acoustic guitar, you can probably skip it. If you're a classical composer who needs the most realistic orchestral samples on the planet, there are better (and more expensive) options out there.

But if you are a pop, hip-hop, or electronic music producer, or a film/game composer looking for modern, hybrid cinematic sounds, then Output should be at the very top of your list. It’s for the creator who sees sound as clay to be molded, not just notes to be played. The learning curve can be a little steep on some of the deeper plugins like Portal or Movement, but the presets are so good that you can get amazing results right out of the box before you even touch a knob.

My Final Take: Hype vs. Reality

So, is the hype justified? In my opinion, yes. Absolutely. Output has earned its reputation by consistently delivering tools that are not only high-quality but, more importantly, genuinely inspiring. They understand what modern producers need: sounds that are fresh, exciting, and customizable.

They've managed to bottle that feeling of happy accidents and creative discovery. I’ve always believed the best tools don’t just perform a function; they suggest an idea. And nearly every product in Output's lineup does exactly that. They pull you in new creative directions.

Frequently Asked Questions about Output

Is Output Arcade worth the subscription?

For most modern producers, I'd say yes. The sheer amount of new, high-quality content added daily provides incredible value and is a great cure for creative block. If you use it even a few times a month, it easily pays for itself.

Can I use Output plugins in any DAW?

Yes, all Output software comes in VST, VST3, AU, and AAX formats, making them compatible with all major Digital Audio Workstations like Ableton Live, FL Studio, Logic Pro X, Pro Tools, etc.

Are Output instruments for beginners?

They can be. The presets are fantastic and easy to browse, so a beginner can get great sounds immediately. However, to really master the deep editing features and sound design capabilities, there is a bit of a learning curve that will reward more intermediate to advanced users.

What's the difference between Portal and other effects?

While many effects plugins modify sound, Portal is a granular synthesizer that completely deconstructs and reassembles it. It's less about subtle enhancement (like EQ or compression) and more about total transformation, making it a powerful creative tool for sound design.

What is Output Co-Producer?

Co-Producer is one of Output's newer tools. It's a plugin that uses AI to help you find the perfect sample from Arcade's massive library. You can feed it an audio or MIDI file, and it will suggest sonically-matched loops and one-shots, speeding up your workflow significantly.

Do I need to buy everything at once?

Not at all. Most users start with one or two products. Arcade is a great starting point because of the low monthly cost. From there, you can buy individual instruments or effects as you need them. The bundles are for those who are ready to fully commit and want the best deal.

Reference and Sources

• Output Official Website
• Sound on Sound Review of Arcade