Output
Output is a music creation software company developing AI-powered plugins, cloud-connected samplers, FX plugins, and Kontakt instruments for professional producers, composers, and independent musicians worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersLos Angeles, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Output does
Output is a Los Angeles-based music creation software company founded in 2013 by ASCAP award-winning producer Gregg Lehrman. The company develops a portfolio of DAW plugins, a desktop application, and Kontakt-format virtual instruments designed for professional music producers, composers, and independent musicians. Its core products include Co-Producer (an AI-powered plugin that analyzes project harmony and rhythm to curate and generate royalty-free samples), Arcade (a cloud-connected sampler with a daily-updated content library), Portal, Thermal, and Movement (FX plugins for granular synthesis, distortion, and rhythm modulation), and seven Kontakt instruments (Exhale, Substance, Signal, Analog Strings, Analog Brass & Winds, Rev, Rev X-Loops). All samples and instruments are royalty-free for commercial release, and Output also offers a free AI-powered Pack Generator tool.
The company operates a hybrid revenue model combining a subscription offering (Output One at $14.99/month or $9.99/month billed annually, Creator at $9.99/month, Co-Producer standalone at $9.99/month) with one-time perpetual licenses ($149 per FX plugin, $199 per Kontakt instrument, $399-$849 for bundles, $35 per expansion pack). Distribution is primarily direct-to-consumer through output.com and shop.output.com via product-led growth with 7-day free trials, supplemented by a dealer network, an affiliate program (Impact.com), and as of March 2026 inclusion in the Yamaha Creator Pass subscription platform reaching 37 countries. Marketing relies on content (Output Mag blog), social media (Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, X, Facebook), industry events (SXSW, NAMM), and the Output CoLAB community program featuring mentorship with artists such as Nova Wav and Stargate.
Output's customer base spans professional producers whose work has appeared on records by Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish, Skrillex, Björk, and others, as well as film and TV scores including Stranger Things and Game of Thrones. The company is privately held, last raised a $45 million Series B led by Summit Partners in October 2020, employs 51-100 people, and has no public revenue disclosures. Strategic priorities visible in recent activity include AI-powered product expansion (Co-Producer, Re-imagine, Pack Generator), ecosystem partnerships (Yamaha, sound design content providers), and community-driven brand building.
Output firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Output
- Legal name
- Output, Inc.
- Website
- https://output.com/
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Output is a music creation software company developing AI-powered plugins, cloud-connected samplers, FX plugins, and Kontakt instruments for professional producers, composers, and independent musicians worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Output industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Music Production Software
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (5132)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Audio Plugins & Virtual Instruments (VST/AU/AAX) (MPAIAIAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- AI Music Creation & Assistive Tools (Generation, Separation, Mastering) (MPAIAIAG), Music Production Workflow & Project Management Tools (Session management, asset/versioning) (MPAIAIAK)
Keywords
Where Output is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Angeles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Output business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Subscription (Output One): Output One is the flagship all-access subscription plan providing unlimited access to all plugins, samples, instruments, and updates for a recurring monthly or annual fee. Subscriptions auto-renew and can be cancelled anytime without fees. Arcade owners can upgrade to Output One for $2 more per month.
- One-Time Plugin License Sales: Individual FX plugins (Portal, Thermal, Movement) are sold as one-time perpetual licenses at $149 each. Kontakt instruments are sold at $199 each. Bundles offer savings: FX Bundle at $399, Instruments Bundle at $499, FX + Instruments Bundle at $849.
- Expansion Packs: Individual expansion packs are available at $35 each, adding 100+ new presets for specific instruments or plugins (e.g., Ignition for Thermal, Chaos for Portal, Spacetime for Movement).
- Creator Subscription: Output Creator desktop app is available as a standalone subscription starting at $9.99/month, or as part of Output One. Plans include unlimited access to all samples and one-click song sharing.
- Pack Generator: Pack Generator is offered free of charge, allowing Output to drive user acquisition and brand engagement without direct revenue generation from the tool itself.
- Merchandise (Output Drops): Output Drops sells limited edition merchandise (e.g., KEEP MUSIC HUMAN shirts), with net proceeds benefiting Notes for Notes music education programs. Generates ancillary revenue while supporting brand positioning.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Output One Monthly — all-access subscription billed monthly |
| Subscription | Annual | Output One Annual — all-access subscription billed annually |
| Subscription | Monthly | Creator Basic — standalone subscription billed monthly |
| Subscription | Monthly | Co-Producer standalone — monthly subscription |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Thermal one-time purchase |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Portal one-time purchase |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Movement one-time purchase |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | FX Bundle — three FX plugins bundled |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Instruments Bundle — seven Kontakt instruments bundled |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | FX + Instruments Bundle — all products bundled |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Individual Kontakt instruments |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Expansion Packs |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Pack Generator — free AI-generated sample pack tool |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
Output product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Output develops and sells music creation software including DAW plugins (FX engines, samplers, AI tools), cloud-connected sample platforms, Kontakt-format virtual instruments, and a standalone desktop app for music creation. All content is royalty-free and designed for musicians, producers, composers, and sound designers working in genres from pop and hip-hop to film and TV scoring.
Product overview
Output is a music creation software company offering a portfolio of creative plugins, desktop applications, and Kontakt instruments. The core products include Co-Producer (AI-powered sample discovery/creation plugin), Arcade (cloud-connected sampler), and three FX plugins (Portal granular synthesis, Thermal distortion, Movement rhythm engine). The company also offers seven Kontakt instruments (Exhale, Substance, Signal, Analog Strings, Analog Brass & Winds, Rev, Rev X-Loops) for Native Instruments Kontakt. Output One provides an all-access subscription bundling all plugins, samples, and instruments. Additional offerings include Pack Generator (AI-powered free sample pack builder), Output CoLAB community platform, and Output Drops merchandise. All samples and content are royalty-free. Products are available as individual purchases, themed bundles, or via Output One subscription.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Co-Producer: AI-powered plugin that analyzes a project's harmony and rhythm to curate royalty-free samples. Priced at $9.99/month.
- Arcade
- Portal FX
- Thermal FX
- Movement FX
- Creator
- Output Instruments Bundle
- Output CoLAB
- Output Drops
Products and services
- Co-Producer AI-powered plugin that analyzes a project's harmony and rhythm to find and create royalty-free samples that fit seamlessly; features Re-imagine technology for generating infinite sample variations from text prompts or existing tracks. Designed for music producers and composers working in any DAW.
- Arcade Cloud-connected sampler and instruments plugin providing a massive collection of royalty-free samples and instruments updated daily. Functions as a sample browser and performance tool within any DAW.
- Portal Granular synthesis FX plugin that transforms any audio input into musical granular textures with 250+ presets, circular XY control, tempo-synced grain delay, and scale-based pitch modulation.
- Thermal Interactive distortion plugin with multi-stage distortion engine offering 250+ presets, circular XY control, 15+ custom distortion types, and 9 built-in FX. Adds warmth, grit, and character through saturation and distortion.
- Movement Rhythm engine plugin that adds rhythmic motions and evolving grooves to any sound with 300+ presets, four synchronized rhythm engines (LFO, Step Sequencer, Sidechain, Macro), and proprietary Flux/Randomizer modulation.
- Creator Standalone music creation desktop app that allows users to record instruments or vocals, build original songs with a responsive sound palette, and share or export instantly. Does not support third-party plugins.
- Exhale Modern vocal engine in Kontakt format designed to capture the contemporary sound of today's records and creative scores; provides playable vocal elements for music production.
- Substance Powerful bass engine in Kontakt format combining heavily processed electric and acoustic basses, full live brass sections, polysynths, and analog synths into single patches.
- Signal Pulse engine Kontakt instrument combining fat analog synths and recorded live instruments in a single engine for music production.
- Analog Strings Kontakt-format virtual instrument enabling crafting and performing of unique, cutting-edge string sounds for modern music makers.
- Analog Brass & Winds Kontakt-format virtual instrument combining orchestral brass and winds with legendary synths; features 18-piece brass and 18-piece wind sections sampled at BMC Hall in Budapest.
- Rev Kontakt-format virtual instrument based on reverse elements, designed for sound design and composition beyond simple reverse functionality.
- Rev X-Loops Kontakt-format virtual instrument delivering the REV Loops Engine redefined with all new content, FX, and snapshots.
- Output One All-access subscription plan providing unlimited access to all plugins (Co-Producer, Arcade, Portal, Thermal, Movement), samples, instruments, and updates. Priced at $14.99/month or $9.99/month billed annually with a 7-day free trial.
- FX Bundle Bundle of 3 FX engines (Portal, Thermal, Movement) plus 5 expansions for a $399 one-time purchase.
- Instruments Bundle Bundle of 7 Kontakt instruments (Exhale, Substance, Signal, Analog Strings, Analog Brass & Winds, Rev, Rev X-Loops) plus 18 expansions for a $499 one-time purchase.
- FX + Instruments Bundle Complete bundle of 10 engines and 23 expansions combining all FX plugins and Kontakt instruments for an $849 one-time purchase.
- Pack Generator Free AI-powered custom sample pack builder that generates packs (30 royalty-free samples each) from text prompts describing moods, genres, instruments, key, and tempo. Samples can be dragged into any DAW.
- Output Drops Limited edition merchandise line with net proceeds benefiting the Notes for Notes music education program; reinforces brand positioning and supports music education initiatives.
Quantifiable outcome
- Co-Producer achieves a 73% success rate in helping musicians discover samples they love
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Output
Customer profileNamed customers20 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Output technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability6 records
Feature8 records
Output partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Yamaha Music Innovations (YMI)coreYamaha Music Innovations (U.S. subsidiary of Yamaha Corporation) partnered with Output to include Output Creator in the Yamaha Creator Pass platform, a subscription service bundling 21 music and podcast creation tools. The platform was unveiled at SXSW 2026 (March 13-15) with tiered plans starting at $14.99/month. This marks YMI's strategic expansion beyond traditional audio hardware into software and subscription services, integrating Output alongside LANDR, Riverside, and Groover.
- LANDRcoreLANDR is included in Yamaha Creator Pass alongside Output and other tools, providing AI mastering and music production capabilities as part of the bundled platform.
- RiversidecoreRiverside is included in Yamaha Creator Pass alongside Output and other tools, providing podcast recording and production capabilities as part of the bundled platform.
- GrooverminorGroover is included in Yamaha Creator Pass alongside Output and other tools, providing music promotion and feedback capabilities as part of the bundled platform.
- Nova WavminorProduction duo Nova Wav (composed of Denis 'Desi' Descoust and Brittany ' Byrd' Howard) partnered with Output to co-host the Output CoLAB mentorship program, offering a 2-day studio session with Nova Wav as a prize in a winter producer challenge. Nova Wav has produced for artists including Beyoncé, Travis Scott, and Ariana Grande.
- StargateminorProduction duo Stargate partnered with Output to co-host the Output CoLAB mentorship program. Stargate is known for producing hits for Rihanna, Beyoncé, Katy Perry, and The Weeknd.
- Notes for NotesminorOutput Drops merchandise initiative (KEEP MUSIC HUMAN limited edition) directs net proceeds to Notes for Notes, a nonprofit organization providing music education and artist development programs. This is a charitable/community partnership rather than a commercial business relationship.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Output competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Output social profiles
Digital presenceOutput financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Output leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Output funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Output M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Output
What does Output do?
Output develops and sells music creation software including DAW plugins (FX engines, samplers, AI tools), cloud-connected sample platforms, Kontakt-format virtual instruments, and a standalone desktop app for music creation. All content is royalty-free and designed for musicians, producers, composers, and sound designers working in genres from pop and hip-hop to film and TV scoring.
Is Output a public or private company?
Output is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Output founded?
Output was founded in 2013. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Output based?
Output is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, in the North America region.
How does Output make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Subscription (Output One) is the primary driver. The others are one-Time Plugin License Sales, expansion Packs, creator Subscription, pack Generator and merchandise (Output Drops).
Does Output have an API?
No public API is recorded for Output.
What industry is Output in?
Output's product category is Music Production Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAIAIAB, Audio Plugins & Virtual Instruments (VST/AU/AAX), with a secondary code of MPAIAIAG, AI Music Creation & Assistive Tools (Generation, Separation, Mastering). Its NAICS code is 5132 and its SIC code is 7370.