Introduction
Amper Music was a pioneering artificial intelligence (AI) music composition platform designed to empower creators of all skill levels to generate original, royalty-free music quickly and effortlessly. Aimed at filmmakers, podcasters, game developers, and content creators, Amper Music sought to democratize music creation, enabling users to produce professional-sounding soundtracks without needing extensive musical knowledge or expensive equipment. Its core promise was to deliver customizable, high-quality music tailored to specific project needs in minutes, transforming the traditional process of scoring.

Key Features

AI-Powered Composition EngineAt its heart, Amper Music utilized advanced AI algorithms to compose unique pieces of music from scratch based on user inputs rather than relying on pre-recorded loops or samples. This ensured originality for every track.
Extensive Customization OptionsUsers could define various parameters such as mood, genre (e.g., cinematic, electronic, ambient), instrumentation, tempo, and length. This allowed for significant control over the generated output to match project requirements.
Royalty-Free LicensingAll music generated by Amper Music was royalty-free, meaning creators could use it in their commercial and non-commercial projects without worrying about ongoing licensing fees or copyright claims.
Rapid GenerationOne of its biggest selling points was the speed at which it could produce music. Users could get a custom track in a matter of minutes, significantly cutting down production time.
Intuitive User InterfaceThe platform was designed with ease of use in mind, featuring a straightforward interface that allowed even non-musicians to navigate and create music effectively.
High-Quality Audio ExportGenerated tracks could be exported in various high-quality audio formats, ready for immediate integration into video edits, podcasts, games, and other media.

Pros

Unprecedented Speed and EfficiencySignificantly reduces the time and effort required to source or compose background music, ideal for fast-paced content production.
Accessibility for Non-MusiciansEmpowers individuals without musical training to create original soundtracks, leveling the playing field for content creators.
Cost-EffectivePotentially much more affordable than hiring a human composer or licensing multiple stock music tracks, especially for projects requiring a large volume of unique music.
Originality and Royalty-Free UseEach track is unique and comes with royalty-free licensing, eliminating concerns about copyright infringement or recurring costs.
VersatilitySuitable for a wide range of applications, including film scores, video game soundtracks, podcast intros/outros, YouTube background music, and corporate videos.

Cons

Lack of Human Emotion and NuanceWhile technically proficient, AI-generated music can sometimes lack the deep emotional resonance, unexpected flourishes, or subtle nuances that a human composer brings.
Limited Granular Control for ProfessionalsMusicians or audio professionals might find the customization options restrictive compared to traditional digital audio workstations (DAWs) or human collaboration.
Potential for RepetitivenessDespite generating unique tracks, some users might eventually notice stylistic patterns or predictable structures emerge across a large volume of creations.
Learning Curve for Optimal ResultsAchieving *exactly* the desired sound often requires experimentation with different inputs and an understanding of how the AI interprets various parameters.
Creative LimitationsThe AI excels at generating functional background music but may struggle with highly complex, experimental, or narrative-driven compositions.

Pricing
As a standalone service, Amper Music’s direct pricing model is no longer available, as the company was acquired by Shutterstock in 2020. Prior to its acquisition, Amper Music typically offered subscription-based pricing tiers, which varied based on the number of tracks generated per month, length of tracks, and types of licenses (e.g., personal vs. commercial use). These plans usually included:

Free Trial: Often allowing users to experiment with generation, possibly with watermarked or limited-length tracks.
Creator/Personal Plans: Lower-cost subscriptions for individual content creators with limits on downloads and commercial use.
Professional/Enterprise Plans: Higher-tier subscriptions designed for businesses or heavy users, offering more extensive usage rights, higher volume of tracks, and dedicated support.

Currently, Amper Music’s core technology and capabilities are largely integrated into Shutterstock’s music and audio offerings. Access to similar AI-powered music generation or its extensive music library is now typically part of Shutterstock’s broader subscription packages or available through their licensing options.