Freedom251 › Music Sample Libraries
Arcade by Output
What Arcade by Output is
Arcade by Output is a sampler and instrument plugin for exploring and shaping samples, instruments, and playable kits. An Arcade subscription includes over 60 product lines, 4,400 samplers, 1,300 chromatic instruments, and 80,000 samples. Output says its royalty-free library receives daily additions, including synths, vocals, textures, drums, and multisampled instruments. Users can import their own samples for automatic chopping, slicing, and effects, then make them into playable kits. Controls can lock sounds to key and tempo and reshape samples.
Arcade works with major DAWs on Mac and PC through 64-bit AAX, AU, VST, and VST3 formats. It can also run as a standalone application for previewing, playing, and downloading, though it cannot record directly in that mode. Logging in and downloading content require an internet connection; downloaded kits and loops can be used offline for 30 days before reconnecting. Arcade requires macOS 12 or later or Windows 10 or later, 8 GB RAM, and a 64-bit system and DAW. Monthly Arcade access costs $12.99 per month; there is no free plan.
Who it suits
Arcade suits music makers who want a sample and instrument library inside a DAW plugin, or who want to turn their own samples into playable kits. It requires macOS or Windows and a 64-bit system and DAW.
What it does well
- Subscription includes 80,000 samples and 1,300 chromatic instruments.
- Users can turn their own samples into playable kits.
- Supports AAX, AU, VST, and VST3 plugin formats.
- Downloaded kits and loops work offline for 30 days.
- Sounds are licensed for commercial use without standalone resale.
What to know first
- There is no free plan.
- Standalone mode cannot record directly in the app.
- Internet is required to log in and download content.
- Requires 8 GB RAM and a 64-bit system and DAW.
Limits
There is no free plan. Arcade monthly access is $12.99 a month; downloaded kits and loops can be used offline for 30 days before reconnecting.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Output One yearly | Billed $119.99 yearly. · Unlimited access to all samples, instruments, updates, and plugins: Arcade · Co-Producer · Creator · Portal FX · Thermal FX · Movement FX · FX expansions | $119.99 a year |
| Arcade monthly | Billed monthly. · Unlimited access to all samples, instruments, and new updates | $12.99 a month |
| Output One monthly | Billed monthly. · Arcade · Co-Producer · Creator · Portal FX · Thermal FX · Movement FX · FX expansions | $14.99 a month |
As output.com lists them, read 8 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit Output’s Arcade product page.
- Check that your computer runs macOS 12 or later or Windows 10 or later and has 8 GB RAM.
- Choose an Arcade or Output One plan, or use the free trial.
- Install Arcade in a supported DAW using AAX, AU, VST, or VST3, or run it as a standalone application.
- Connect to the internet to log in and download content.
Verdict
Arcade combines a large sample library with tools for shaping imported sounds and making playable kits. Consider its system requirements, internet needs, and $12.99 per month price when deciding whether it fits your setup.
Questions
How much does Arcade cost?
Arcade monthly costs $12.99 a month. Output also lists plans for Output One monthly at $14.99 a month and Output One yearly at $9.99 a year (billed $119.99 yearly). The pricing note says From $149.
Is there a free plan or trial?
There is no free plan, but a free trial is available.
Which platforms does Arcade support?
Arcade supports macOS and Windows. It requires macOS 12 or later or Windows 10 or later, 8 GB RAM, and a 64-bit system and DAW.
Which plugin formats does it support?
Arcade supports 64-bit AAX, AU, VST, and VST3 formats in major DAWs on Mac and PC.
Can Arcade be used offline?
An internet connection is required to log in and download content. Downloaded kits and loops can be used offline for 30 days before reconnecting.
Can I use Arcade sounds commercially?
Output says its sounds are royalty-free for commercial use. Reselling them as a standalone loop pack, sample pack, or audio product is prohibited.
Facts from Arcade by Output's own pages
- Computer limit
- Arcade can be activated on up to four computers and used on one computer at a time. · support.output.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Co-Producer integration
- Users with Output One can send eligible samples from Co-Producer to Arcade and generate playable kits from them. · output.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Custom samples
- Users can drop in their own samples for Arcade to automatically chop, slice, and add effects to create playable kits. · output.com, 8 Oct 2026
- DAW compatibility
- Arcade is supported by major DAWs on Mac and PC through 64-bit AAX, AU, VST, and VST3 plugin formats. · support.output.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Internet and offline use
- Arcade requires an internet connection to log in and download content, but downloaded kits and loops can be used offline for 30 days before reconnecting. · support.output.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Library
- An Arcade subscription includes over 60 product lines, 4,400 samplers, 1,300 chromatic instruments, and 80,000 samples. · output.com, 8 Oct 2026
- New content
- Output says Arcade’s library is updated daily with royalty-free sounds including synths, vocals, textures, drums, and multisampled instruments. · output.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Product
- Arcade is a playable sampler and instrument plugin for exploring, playing, shaping, and tweaking samples and instruments. · output.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Royalty-free license
- Output says its sounds are royalty-free for commercial use, while resale as a standalone loop pack, sample pack, or audio product is prohibited. · support.output.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Sampler controls
- Arcade lets users lock sounds to key and tempo and use tools to modify and reshape samples. · output.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Standalone limits
- Arcade can run as a standalone application, where users can preview, play, and download samples and kits but cannot record directly in the app. · support.output.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- Output says its support team operates five days a week and reports an average first response time of five hours. · support.output.com, 8 Oct 2026
- System requirements
- Arcade requires macOS 12 or later or Windows 10 or later, 8 GB RAM, and a 64-bit system and DAW. · support.output.com, 8 Oct 2026
Where Arcade by Output stands on Freedom251
- Music Sample Libraries#25 of 31