How Much is Arcade by Output: Is the Subscription Worth the Price in 2024?
Music production tools are essential for modern-day creators, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced professional. One name that has become synonymous with innovative sample-based production is Output Arcade. With a sleek interface, a massive library of sounds, and tools designed for creativity, it’s no wonder that many beatmakers are interested in this sampler plugin. In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about Output Arcade’s pricing, the value it offers, and how it compares to other services like Splice and Loopcloud.
How Much Does Output Arcade Cost?
Let’s start with the question on everyone’s mind: How much is Output Arcade?
Arcade operates on a subscription-based pricing model. As of now, Arcade offers two main subscription options:
Both plans grant you unlimited access to everything Arcade has to offer. Importantly, they also offer a 30-day free trial, which allows you to try everything before committing. This means you can explore its vast library and functionality with no upfront costs, making it a risk-free option to test whether it fits your creative needs.
The best part? Even after you cancel your subscription, Arcade will still play any MIDI data sent to it, and your sessions will sound exactly as they did when you made them (although you won’t be able to access the interface or make any new tweaks inside the VST.)
While other services like Splice operate on a credit-based system (e.g., $7.99 for 100 credits), Arcade’s flat subscription pricing ensures that you always have unlimited access to their growing library of loops and samples. This is a significant advantage for producers needing a steady supply of sounds without worrying about credit budgeting.
Additionally, the yearly plan provides substantial savings for those who know they’ll be using Arcade long-term, offering nearly half off the price compared to the monthly plan. If you plan to make Arcade a permanent fixture in your toolkit, the annual subscription is clearly the more cost-effective option.
What Do You Get for $12.99 a Month?
If you’re considering trying Arcade by Output, you’ve probably seen the plugin in action in a social media ad or a YouTube tutorial. You probably know that Arcade is a powerful tool, you’d like to learn more about its functionality.
Here are its best features in my opinion.
A Massive and Constantly Expanding Library
Arcade’s strength lies in its library of over 50,000 loops and samples, which are organized into curated collections called Sample Lines. These collections span every genre you can think of, from hip-hop to electronic music, ambient to pop, cinematic to experimental. This makes it incredibly versatile for producers of any style.
The library is constantly growing, with new content added daily. This means you never run out of fresh sounds to inspire you, and you don’t need to worry about buying new sample packs or spending credits for specific loops as you do with Splice or Loopcloud. Everything is accessible for the flat $12.99 per month.
Customizable Kits and Sounds
In addition to loops, Arcade offers Tonal Kits and Drum Kits. These aren’t just static loops but playable instruments that give you the flexibility to create melodies, beats, and textures that are entirely your own. Arcade’s playable kits allow you to manipulate these sounds in real-time, ensuring that you can tailor them to fit your project’s exact needs.
One of the standout features is that you can also upload your own samples into Arcade to replace any sound in a kit. Once uploaded, these sounds can be manipulated using Arcade’s extensive array of effects, filters, and custom tools, making it a hybrid between a sample service and a fully customizable virtual instrument.
Seamless Integration
Arcade isn’t just about having access to a vast library of samples; it’s also about giving producers the tools they need to manipulate those sounds effortlessly. The Arcade plugin works as a VST, meaning you can load it directly into your DAW, and just like any other virtual instrument, it can be easily mapped to your favorite MIDI controller. This seamless integration allows you to work with Arcade in your projects without constantly jumping between external software and your DAW.
Arcade’s interface is one of its greatest strengths. Despite the sheer amount of content available, the layout is clean and intuitive. Even beginners can easily find what they need, whether it’s a sound pack or a sample-based instrument. Everything is organized into clear categories, and the search function makes it easy to locate sounds by genre, instrument, or mood.
Real-Time Customization
Each sound in Arcade is completely customizable in real-time. Once you a module, you can use Arcade’s built-in effects, modulation, pitch-shifting, as well as its comprehensive sample-editing page to make it your own. This ability to customize in real-time is what sets Arcade apart from more traditional sample libraries where loops are often static and require external editing.
The macro controls also make it easy to tweak several parameters at once, allowing for smooth and dynamic sound changes. This level of control makes Arcade more than just a sample library—the possibilities are endless.
Comparison: Arcade vs. Splice and Loopcloud
Now that we’ve explored what Arcade offers, let’s compare it to two other popular sample services in the market: Splice and Loopcloud. Both of these platforms operate on a mix of subscription and credit-based models, offering different approaches to accessing samples and sound libraries.
You can read my in-depth post about this subject by clicking here, but here’s the gist…
Both Splice and Loopcloud offer subscription plans that provide users with monthly credits to spend on individual samples or loops. For instance, Splice’s pricing starts at $7.99 per month for 100 credits, while Loopcloud’s basic plan also begins at $7.99 for 100 credits. With both services, users can spend credits on specific sounds, with samples typically costing between 1 and 3 credits each, depending on complexity and rarity.
This credit-based system allows for flexibility, as users only pay for the samples they need, and unused credits can roll over to the next month. This can be advantageous if you prefer to carefully curate your sound library or work on fewer projects.
Arcade covers almost every genre imaginable: hip-hop, trap, EDM, ambient, cinematic scores, pop, and more. Whether you’re a beatmaker looking for drums, a composer searching for lush orchestral loops, or an electronic producer in need of evolving soundscapes, Arcade has you covered. The platform is constantly adding new sample lines, ensuring that every genre gets fresh content.
Where Arcade stands out is in its unlimited access model. For $12.99 per month, you get unlimited access to all of Arcade’s sounds, without worrying about running out of credits or having to purchase more. This flat-fee subscription model can be a significant advantage for producers who work across multiple genres or need a constant supply of new sounds.
Ultimately, they’re all great business models, and Arcade isn’t necessarly better than Splice or Loopcloud. The truth is that they complement each other, and they work great together!
Another Alternative: Excite Audio Bloom Bundle
Another exciting alternative for sample-based production is the Excite Audio Bloom Bundle. This bundle offers a collection of versatile and instantly playable instruments designed to elevate your tracks with a mix of loops, one-shots, and phrases. Built to offer creative inspiration straight out of the box, the Bloom series features a set of dynamic instruments like Vocal Aether, Vocal Edit, Drum Breaks, and Bass Impulse.
Each instrument in the Bloom Bundle allows you to load phrases, samples, and loops that sync to your project's key and tempo. The intuitive design lets you trigger loops and samples with white notes on your MIDI keyboard, in a way that feels very similar to Arcade.
One key difference between the Bloom Bundle and platforms like Arcade is that Bloom instruments are not available on a subscription basis. Once you buy them, you own them like a regular VST, with no recurring fees. This makes it a one-time affordable investment. Each instrument in the bundle comes with 200+ presets, making it easy to find inspiration and add creative elements to your track. However, it’s important to note that it’s unclear if their sample library will receive frequent updates like Arcade’s.
While it may be less complete in terms of continuous new content, the Bloom Bundle offers a similar interface and functionalities to Arcade, making it a solid starting point for producers who want powerful sound manipulation tools without committing to a monthly subscription.
Is Output Arcade Worth It?
After breaking down the pricing, functionality, and versatility, let’s get to the heart of the matter: Is Output Arcade worth the price?
In short, yes—Arcade offers an incredible amount of value for just $12.99 per month. With its unlimited access to thousands of sounds, frequent updates, customizable kits, and real-time editing features, it’s a powerful tool for any producer.
Especially for beginners who feel intimidated by all the expensive VST plugins on the market right now, this is a great value. You could make an almost infinite amount professional beats using only Arcade.
Compared to Splice’s credit system and Loopcloud’s hybrid model, Arcade’s flat-rate subscription is often a better deal for producers who need a constant supply of sounds without worrying about credits. While Splice and Loopcloud are great services in their own right, Arcade’s blend of simplicity, versatility, and cost-effectiveness gives it a competitive edge.
The yearly plan sweetens the deal by offering a large discount, making it an even better investment if you’re committed to using Arcade long-term.
Conclusion
In the fast-paced world of music production, there’s no better time to dive in and start creating. Whether you’re an experienced producer or just getting started, the tools available today allow you to craft incredible tracks without spending a fortune.
Take advantage of that free 30-day trial, experiment with its vast library of sounds, and see just how much music you can make in a short period. Even if you choose to cancel afterward, the experience and music you create will be yours forever. But be warned: you just might fall in love with the ease and creativity that Arcade unlocks!
Ultimately, producing great music isn’t about having the most expensive equipment or countless subscriptions. It’s about finding the few tools that spark your creativity and push you to new levels. You don’t need to spend thousands—start by testing out the free trial version of a few popular plugins, and see what resonates with you. From VSTs to sample libraries, the best way to discover the right fit is to explore them firsthand.
Seize the moment, use the resources at your fingertips, and let nothing stand in the way of your creativity.
Common Questions About Output Arcade
How much is Arcade by Output?
Arcade currently costs $12.99 per month, or you can opt for the yearly plan at $77.99, which comes out to about $6.50 per month. Both plans offer unlimited access to all features.
Is there a free trial?
Yes, Arcade offers a 30-day free trial, giving you full access to all sounds and features so you can test it out before deciding to subscribe.
Can I cancel my subscription anytime?
Yes, you can cancel your subscription at any time. Once canceled, you will continue to have access until the end of your current billing cycle.
Will my projects using Arcade still open after I cancel my subscription?
Arcade will still play any MIDI data sent to it, and your sessions will sound exactly as they did when you made them
How often is new content added?
New content is added to Arcade every month, so there’s always something fresh to explore, whether you're looking for loops, kits, or full sample lines.
Is Output Arcade worth it?
In my opinion, yes. For $12.99 a month, the unlimited access to a constantly growing library of sounds and the versatility it offers make it a great value, especially compared to other platforms where you pay per sample.
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Prices mentioned are approximate and provided as a general reference. For exact pricing, please verify with the retailer directly.
Internet Tattoo is not sponsored by Output.