"AWS DeepComposer: The End of an Era for the AI-Powered Keyboard Experiment"
In a recent blog post, AWS announced the discontinuation of their five-year-old DeepComposer project, a unique combination of a physical MIDI piano and AI service that allowed users to create music with the help of generative AI technology.
"After careful consideration, we have made the decision to end support for AWS DeepComposer," stated Kanchan Jagannathan, AWS AI devices program manager. Users will have until September 17, 2025, to access any data stored on the DeepComposer console before the service is officially shut down.
Launched at AWS' re:Invent conference in 2019, DeepComposer was hailed as the "world's first machine learning-enabled musical keyboard for developers." With this tool, users could compose melodies using a physical or virtual keyboard, choose from genre-specific music-generating models, and generate full-length songs that could be played within the AWS console or shared on SoundCloud.
Initially targeted towards developers, DeepComposer became available to all AWS customers in 2020, with the MIDI keyboard priced at $99. However, reviews were mixed on the product's ease of use and quality of music generated. Some users struggled with keyboard functionality and found the AI instrumentation lacking.
Despite its shortcomings, DeepComposer was designed more as a learning tool than a professional music creation platform, similar to other AWS AI devices like DeepLens and DeepRacer. It aimed to provide users with a hands-on experience with AI technology in a creative context.
In conclusion, the discontinuation of AWS DeepComposer marks the end of an experimental project that pushed the boundaries of AI and music composition. While it may not have lived up to all expectations, it served as a valuable learning tool for developers and enthusiasts alike. As technology continues to evolve, it's essential to embrace the lessons learned from projects like DeepComposer and apply them to future innovations in the field of AI and music.