Loopcloud is a sample and plugin subscription library brought to you by the same group behind Loopmasters and Plugin Boutique. Based in the UK, Loopmasters has been around since the early 2000s — they some of the early pioneers in the sampling and plugin space.
Loopcloud is their latest product and is a subscription-based sample library, in addition to an abundance of other features.
In this review, we are going to go over the essentials of using Loopcloud, key features, how to install the software, and pricing.
Table Of Contents
How To Install
Installation is quite easy with Loopcloud. Currently, platform support extends to Windows and macOS users, with plans to develop a web interface in the coming months.
Step 1: Register For An Account
Don’t worry, you can claim a free account first if you want to simply demo the product. It’s important that you confirm your email account, otherwise you will not be able to log in and use the desktop application.
Step 2: Download Software
Click to install. For me, I’ll be using the Mac version, and it took about 1.5 minutes to download the 114MB sized zip file.
After download, unpack the zip file to access the installation software. I like to move zip files to my desktop, and open them there.
Step 3: Run The Installer
From there you can begin the process of installing Loopcloud.
For the most part, this is a standard process and what you may expect. There are some licenses to approve, some general disclosures, and options for installation.
One aspect to pay attention to is what you would like to include in your download. You have three options, checked by default.
- Loopcloud – The main software
- Loopcloud Play – A limitless bundle of digital instruments
- Loopcloud Drum – Access to endless amounts of kits, made by professionals
Unless you’re concerned about space, I would recommend installing all three.
Features & Usability
Loopcloud comes absolutely packed with features right out of the gate.
1. Multitrack: Group up to 8 tracks with any premium version, or up to 2 on the free version. This is a great way to get a sense of the sound you are experimenting with before you drag files over to a DAW.
2. Pitch Control: Take it up or down an octave instantly, and even have the ability to change the key of samples on the fly.
3. Connect To Your DAW (Ableton For Me): With Loopcloud 5, connecting to your DAW is incredibly easy, and pretty much automatic. Simply open the Loopcloud plugin in your DAW, and you should notice it sync automatically.
One note for Ableton users is that you may have to turn on Use Audio Units for the Loopcloud plugins to appear.
4. Import Your Own Samples: If you have your own samples that you either produce or have purchased previously, you can import them into Loopcloud or source them from an existing folder on your hard drive.
5. Daily Free Sounds: Each plan comes with daily access to free sounds, including the free plan. As you move your subscription up to larger plans, more free sounds are included.
6. Clear & Concise Shortcut Options: Easy to follow and reference keyboard shortcuts, all outlined within the application under the preferences view.
Plans & Pricing
One of the most attractive aspects Loopcloud brings to the table is a 100% free option, that you can use each month.
From there, each upgrade provides generally more quantity of use as it relates to storage, free sounds, points each month, and more. One key aspect of choosing a paid plan is the ability to use 8 tracks instead of 2, and also the ability to manipulate pitch, tone, order, and more.
| Plan | Points | Free Sounds | Storage | Price |
| Free | 0 | 5 | 0 GB | Free |
| Artist | 100 | 10 | 5 GB | $7.99/mo |
| Studio | 300 | 20 | 50 GB | $11.99/mo |
| Professional | 600 | 50 | 250 GB | $21.99/mo |
Platform & Support
Loopcloud’s platform is currently well supported on macOS and Windows platforms. As noted above, are confirmed plans to release a web interface version for users who prefer web-based applications, or may have limited space on their machine.
Their customer support at the moment consists of a help website that should continue to grow in usefulness as more questions are posed.
They also have a number of video tutorials showcasing the most common use cases for the product.
Audio Sample
Utilizing the Loopcloud welcome pack, grouping three tracks together, and making some subtle edits, I was able to produce this funky EDM audio loop in under 10 minutes.
Along with their welcome pack and access to a variety of sample packs, you can also import and source your own samples.
Issues
Overall, Loopcloud was and is a very smooth product to use, and I was able to sync it up with Ableton easily. There were, however, a few issues that were encountered while using the software.
- Loopcloud had issues detecting my output. Or sometimes it would detect the appropriate output, but it would still use the default Macbook speakers instead of my headphones.
- 503 Errors. A couple of times Loopcloud would return a 503 error with a message noting that there wasn’t an internet connection. As you may have guessed, the internet connection was fine. I had to close and restart Loopmasters twice, and that seemed to fix the issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I Need To Be An Expert To Use Loopcloud?
That being said, you do not need to an expert, and the Loopcloud interface user-friendly enough to be useful for beginners.
Q: Which DAWs Are Supported?
Q: Can I Use Loopcloud for free?
Thomas began helping out back in 2010 with the first few iterations of the website. He has helped to produce much of the content, formed partnerships with Audio Engineering institutions, and created the latest version of the website. Thomas handles many of the artist interviews as well as guitar content.