Arcade

Name: Arcade
Rating: 7.2 (1 reviews)
Author: Output

by Output · Sampler · Loop synth / cloud sampler

Score 7.2/10 from 1 rating · rated #11 of 11 samplers & workstations

A playable loop instrument. It streams a regularly updated library of loops, grouped into kits that are mapped across the keyboard and locked to your song's tempo and key.

Real-time modifiers, effects and macro sliders reshape the loops as you play, and you can import your own samples. It's used to start ideas quickly and to find fresh, mix-ready parts.

Best for: Drums, Keys & Synths, Vocals, Sound Design. Genres: Hip-Hop & Trap, Pop, Electronic & EDM, R&B & Soul, Ambient & Cinematic.

Keywords: sample-based, subscription, macro controls, cinematic, film & game audio, simple, sound design, textures.

What it does

Arcade is Output's "playable sampler and instruments plugin". It works like a loop synth: you perform, shape and tweak thousands of mix-ready samples, which are updated regularly from Output's cloud library.

Kits: curated loops mapped across the keyboard. Loops lock automatically to your project's tempo and key, and you can transpose them from the keyboard.
Real-time modifiers: the Resequence, Playhead and Repeater modifiers, plus 11 effects and macro sliders, reshape a loop as you play it.
Your own sounds: drag in your own loops and samples and play them with the same tools.
Sessions keep working: projects you've made still play back if you stop subscribing.

Since June 2025, Arcade is part of the Output One subscription.

Source: Output product page

When to use it

Arcade is the rated list's content-driven option. Where the others give you an engine to fill with your own sounds (Kontakt and HALion for building instruments, CR8 and Serato Sample for chopping, Egoist for slicing grooves), Arcade supplies the sounds too, and makes loops playable enough that they don't sound like stock loops.

Best for: starting ideas fast, writing sessions, top-line and beat production, and adding textures, vocal chops and ear candy to an arrangement.
Genres: pop, hip-hop and trap, R&B, electronic, plus ambient, trailer and indie score work.
Look elsewhere if: you want to own your plugin outright without a subscription, often work offline, or mainly chop your own records (Serato Sample, CR8).

What producers say

Reviews since launch have been positive about the workflow. The subscription model is the most common reservation.

Sound On Sound (2018) found that dramatic changes to rhythmic or instrumental loops can be made very simply, and liked the regular content updates. It noted that imported loops had no automatic tempo detection at the time.
Tape Op (2018) called it "a definite keeper" and found content suited to indie scores, ambient and trailer work, not just EDM. Its main limitation was one loop kit per instance.
SonicScoop (2019) praised the interface and in-house curated content, but disliked the lack of separate outputs to DAW tracks.
Sample Library Review (2019) called the workflow "dead simple" and highly recommended it.

Where to buy

Output: see store (Subscription only (Output One, $14.99/month or $119.99/year))

Tutorials and reviews

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