...The structure of the output, and the data it contains, is fully configurable. The general composite JSON encoders/layouts can be used to output any JSON format/data by configuring them with various JSON providers. The Logstash encoders/layouts are really just extensions of the general composite JSON encoders/layouts with a pre-defined set of providers. The logstash encoders/layouts are easier to configure if you want to use the standard logstash version 1 output format.