Not sure which technique to use? Follow the decision tree below.
Step 1: Create a Persona
Generate a song with a vocalist you love, then make it a Persona.
Step 2: Use the Persona in New Songs
In Custom mode, select your Persona. The style auto-populates.
Step 3: Expect Drift, Iterate
Vocal tone may shift slightly. Use Remaster/Subtle to fix pronunciation, or try the Cover technique for a lighter touch.
Alternative (If Persona Overwhelms):
Generate a new song freely, then apply Cover with your Persona to layer the style afterward.
Use Inspire Playlists
Create a 3–5 song "reference playlist" (songs that set the mood/tempo/instrumentation).
In Custom mode, click +Inspo and select your playlist.
Write your new lyrics and style.
Generate. Suno will channel the playlist's vibe.
If it drifts, raise Style Influence or reduce playlist size to 3 songs.
Pro Tip:
Combine Inspire + Persona for maximum cohesion: use Inspire for the album vibe, and Persona for the vocalist consistency.
Audio Upload Workflow
Record a clip (6–60 seconds): Sing "la-la-la" on your melody, tap a drum pattern, or speak your verse rhythmically.
Upload it to Suno.
Choose Extend From timestamp: Where should Suno start building from? (Early seconds = intro treatment).
Adjust Audio Influence: Higher = tighter adherence to your clip. Start at 50–70%.
Generate and listen. If Suno forgets your intent, raise Audio Influence and lower Weirdness.
Sample Audio Ideas:
Dry topline (10–20s): "La-la-la" melody with no effects.
Rhythm map (10–15s): Speak your verse on beat ("da-da-da").
Drum pocket (6–12s): Clap a rhythm you want the drums to follow.
Immediate Fixes (Before Regenerating)
Reformat your lyrics: Shorter lines (8–10 syllables). Line breaks between thoughts. No end punctuation.
Regenerate with the same Weirdness/Style Influence.
If Still Slurred:
Use Replace Section: Highlight the bad line(s), edit, regenerate just that section.
Preview variants, pick the clearest.
Rebuild the whole song.
Last Resort:
Use Remaster with Variation Strength: Subtle. It can improve pronunciation without changing lyrics.
Option 1: Add Vocals (Recommended)
Upload your instrumental, write lyrics + vocal style, and Suno layers vocals on top while preserving the beat.
Option 2: Extract Stems from Your Current Song
Export stems from your current track.
Mute or delete the vocal stem in your DAW.
Keep the instrumental stem, re-render.
Option 3: Cover Your Instrumental
Upload the beat as a Cover, provide new lyrics, and Suno regenerates with your words while preserving the groove.
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The Control Panel
Purpose: Generate a version without lead vocals (instrumental-only).
Caveat: Suno may still hallucinate choir-ish vocals or background humming. If that happens, extract stems and mute the vocal track, or regenerate with Exclude "vocals".
Use case: You need a beat-only version for remixing, or a backing track for live performance.
Simple Mode: One description. Fast. Works for quick ideas.
Custom Mode: Separate lyrics + style + advanced options. Full control. Recommended for consistent results.
Both mobile and web support Custom mode. Custom is where you'll use Personas, Inspire, and granular controls.
Weirdness (Safe ↔ Chaos)
Purpose: Controls variance and creativity of the output.
Default: 50% is described as "normal."
Lower (0-30%): More predictable, safer choices.
Higher (70-100%): More experimental, unexpected arrangements.
Use case: Lower for consistency; higher for happy accidents.
Style Influence (Loose ↔ Strong)
Purpose: How tightly output adheres to your Style box description.
Lower (0-30%): Style is a suggestion. Suno has more freedom.
Higher (70-100%): Strict adherence to your style prompt.
Use case: Raise if vocals/instrumentation drift away from your intent; lower if the result feels too rigid.
Available: v2, v3, v4, v4.5, v5
v5 (Latest): Best quality, up to ~8 minutes in one shot. Better prompt adherence. Best for longer songs.
v4.5: Great balance. Still excellent. ~8 min max. Good if v5 over-smooths your phrasing.
v4: Older, shorter max length (~3-4 min). Use only if experimenting.
Pro tip: If v5 drowns out your line breaks or "freestyles" too much, drop to v4.5. Models behave differently for phrasing.
Purpose: Tell Suno what NOT to include. Found in Advanced Options.
Common Exclusions
Example Exclude Strings
male vocals
female vocals
autotune
screaming
choir
trap hats
vocal runs
crowd chants
long sustains
⚠️ Warning: Negative prompting can be inconsistent in any generative system. Test before relying on it. Suno explicitly supports Exclude as an Advanced Options field, but results vary.
Quick Start: The Reality
🧠 Understanding Suno's Architecture
Suno is NOT a pure LLM. It has two layers:
Text Layer (ReMi): An LLM that helps write or rewrite lyrics. Optional. Feels "LLM-like."
Music Layer (Suno v5): A separate generative music model that renders audio (vocals + instruments) from text prompts. This is the core.
Why this matters: If you treat Suno like a pure text-to-audio LLM, you'll keep writing "instructions" that never reliably map to timing. The real control comes from conditioning (Personas, audio uploads) + iteration. You can't just "prompt" a pause into existence—you have to use Song Editor to create literal beats of space.
Not voice cloning. Suno is a song generator (music + vocals) that renders audio from text prompts, not pure text → audio like some LLMs.
Not deterministic. Random vocalist drift is normal. Control comes from conditioning (Personas, Inspire, audio uploads) + iteration.
Not "pause tokens." Official docs don't define strict pause syntax. You use prompt engineering + the Song Editor to fix phrasing.
✅ What You Actually Control
Conditioning: Personas (save a voice), Inspire (playlist vibe), Audio Upload (your melody), Cover (reuse style).
Goal: Reuse the "essence" of a vocalist/style from one great track and apply it to new songs.
Steps (UI)
Find a song with a vocalist you love.
Click More Actions (…) → Create → Make Persona.
Toggle to private if you want (Personas are public by default).
In Custom mode, select your Persona above the lyrics field.
Exact Prompt Example (Style of Music Field)
Style Prompt
Modern alt-pop, intimate female vocal, breathy delivery, tight phrasing, light vibrato, dry-ish lead vocal with small-room reverb, 108 BPM, clean synth bass, minimalist drums, warm pads
Settings to Adjust
Model: v4.5+ or v5 for better prompt adherence.
Weirdness: Keep near 50% (default "normal").
Style Influence: Raise if drift occurs.
Exclude: Add "male vocals" or other unwanted vocal artifacts.
Troubleshooting
Persona drags instrumentals too much? Try generating without Persona, then apply Cover with the Persona, or use short 6–10s audio clips.
Good voice but pronunciation off? Use Remaster → Subtle (v5 supports Variation Strength).
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Goal: Generate a new track "in the style of a playlist" for consistent tempo, instrumentation, and mood across an album.
How It Works
Inspire conditions output from a playlist you create, channeling shared features while respecting your new lyrics and style description. Works best with short playlists (3–5 songs).
Steps
Create a 3–5 song playlist with the vibe you want to reuse.
In Custom mode, click +Inspo and select your playlist.
Write your new lyrics and style.
Adjust Style Influence if result drifts.
Example Lyric Top Note
Lyrics Box Intro
[Verse 1]
Short lines. Clear articulation. No rushed phrases.
Settings
Playlist Size: 3 songs = tighter control. Add up to 5 for looser vibe.
Style Influence: Raise if your intent gets lost.
Tip: If Inspire overwhelms your new direction, reduce playlist to 3 songs and tighten your style prompt.
Goal: Make Suno build from your uploaded melody, beat, or vocal idea. Closest thing to "recognition" without external tools.
What Suno Supports
Upload Audio lets you import a 6–60 second clip (up to 120s for Pro/Premier), then Extend it into a full track from a chosen timestamp.
Sample Audio Clips to Record (Not Text!)
Dry Topline (10–20 seconds)
Sing "la-la-la" on your intended melody, no reverb, steady tempo. Gives Suno your exact pitch/phrasing.
Speech Rhythm Map (10–15 seconds)
Speak your verse rhythmically on beat ("da-da-da") to imprint cadence before adding real lyrics.
Drum Pocket (6–12 seconds)
Clap/tap a rhythm pattern you want the beat to follow.
Settings to Adjust
Audio Influence: Higher = tighter adherence to your upload. Raise if Suno "forgets" your intent.
Extend From Timestamp: Choose where to extend from (e.g., early seconds for intro treatment).
Weirdness: Lower if Suno drifts too far from your audio.
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Goal: Turn any song into a "cover" with your new lyrics, keeping the original's instrumental groove and vocal style.
How It Works
Upload or select an existing Suno track, provide new lyrics, and Suno regenerates it with your words while preserving the original's arrangement and vibe.
When to Use
You love a song's instrumentation and want new lyrics.
You want to "remix" a Persona's vibe with different lyrics.
Persona conditioning is overwhelming—use Cover for a lighter touch.
Settings
Original Track: Select the song to cover.
New Lyrics: Write your lyrics (same line discipline applies).
Style: Optional—leave blank to inherit the original, or adjust for a twist.
Goal: When your instrumental is correct and you want vocals added without changing the beat.
How It Works
Upload or select an instrumental track, supply your lyrics and vocal style, and Suno layers a custom vocal on top while preserving the groove and chord movement.
When to Use
You have a perfect beat but vocals aren't working.
Instrumental-first composition workflow.
You want minimal "beat drift" compared to full regeneration.
Example Style Prompt
Style (Add Vocals)
Keep the instrumental groove and chord movement. Add a clear lead vocal with tight consonants, minimal reverb, and short breaths between lines. Pop-rap cadence, 95 BPM feel.
Settings
Audio Strength: (Advanced Options) Controls how much the new song adheres to the old instrumental.
Lower: More freedom for new vocal arrangement.
Higher: Strict adherence to original beat/timing.
Troubleshooting: If the vocalist is wrong, try Cover or Persona workflows instead. Add Vocals is primarily for instrumental-first pipelines.
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Lyrics: Stop Run-Together Words
Goal: Prevent "one long sentence sung as mush" and get clean segmentation between lines.
Core Rules
Short lines: 8–10 syllables per line works best.
Line breaks are sacred: One thought per line. Press Enter between them.
No end punctuation: Suno can get confused by periods/commas at line ends.
Sparse punctuation: Use commas and ellipses only when intentional for breathing.
Template: Rap (Cadence-First)
Rap Lyrics Structure
[Intro]
(Spoken tag line)
[Hook]
8 bars, simple rhyme, big consonants
[Verse 1]
16 bars, internal rhymes, short clauses,
commas for breaths, no end punctuation
[Hook]
(repeat)
[Verse 2]
16 bars
[Outro]
(Ad-libs and drops)
Community guides frequently tie punctuation/line breaks to pacing for rap delivery. Use commas liberally for breath placement.
Lyrics Structure
[Verse 1]
Eight to ten syllables per line
Short phrases, clean consonants
End each line with a line break
No punctuation at line ends
[Chorus]
Repeat the hook. Keep it simple
One image per line
Leave a blank line before next section
Settings to Check
Model: If v5 over-smooths, try v4.5 or v4.5+. Models differ in phrasing behavior.
Style Influence: Raise if the vocal is "freestyling" away from your line structure.
If Still Slurred?
Don't keep regenerating. Use Song Editor → Replace Section to fix the problematic line(s).
Goal: Create audible breathing room and stop Suno from "machine-gunning" syllables.
Punctuation Techniques (Often Works, Sometimes Ignored)
Technique
Purpose
Example
Commas
Micro-pause without stopping flow
I see you, I mean it, I won't fold
Ellipses (...)
Clearer pause/hesitation
I waited... then I ran
Parentheticals
Break long sustains, inject breaths
I won (yeah) I won (breathe)
Beat-Precise Space (Song Editor Method)
Best practice: Don't rely on magic punctuation. Use Song Editor to literally create space.
Open Song Editor.
Insert a new section via the "+" between sections.
Set beat count (e.g., 4 beats for a measure of silence).
Leave lyrics empty or add a minimal cue like [Breath].
Create and commit the best variant.
Add Fade In/Fade Out at section edges for smooth breath-like transitions.
Settings
Exclude: Remove "crowd chants," "choir," "vocal runs" if they keep appearing and muddy clarity.
Audio Influence: If using audio upload, control adherence to uploaded timing.
If punctuation gets ignored? Simplify (use it sparsely) or switch to Replace Section in Song Editor for a clean fix.
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Song Editor: Make It Publishable
Goal: Fix bad lines or mid-song changes without regenerating the whole track.
How It Works
Open Song Editor on a generated track.
Select the problematic section (highlight region).
Edit the lyrics or style notes.
Regenerate that section only.
Suno creates alternate variants; pick the best one.
Click "Rebuild Whole Song" to apply the fix to the full track.
Use Cases
One line is slurred—fix it without touching verses/chorus.
Pronunciation is off on a specific phrase.
Beat timing needs a tweak mid-song.
You want to try a different lyric in the bridge.
Pro tip: Use Replace Section early and often. It's faster and less risky than full regeneration.
Goal: Improve mix clarity, pronunciation, and overall polish without changing the core song.
How It Works
Remaster re-renders your song with audio processing (EQ, compression, clarity boost) while preserving the melody, lyrics, and arrangement.
Variation Strength (v5 Feature)
Subtle: Minimal changes. Perfect for pronunciation/clarity fixes. Recommended starting point.
Normal: Moderate polish. More noticeable improvement in mix.
High: Aggressive remaster. May introduce new variations. Use sparingly.
When to Use Remaster
Pronunciation is muddy. Use Subtle.
Mix feels thin or lacks low-end. Use Normal.
You want a "final master" pass. Use Subtle → Normal if needed.
⚠️ Tip: Don't over-Remaster. One pass with Subtle is usually enough. Multiple remasters can degrade quality.
Goal: Remove too-long intros/outros and tighten song structure.
How It Works
Go to Remix/Edit → Crop (desktop web only).
Visually select the start and end points of the section you want to keep.
Preview and confirm.
Export the cropped version.
Use Cases
Intro is 30 seconds when you want 8 seconds.
Outro has unnecessary repetition.
Song is 4 minutes and you need 3:20.
Note: Crop is purely for trimming; it doesn't regenerate audio.
Goal: Extract individual instrument tracks (vocals, drums, bass, etc.) for mixing, editing, or DAW integration.
What You Get
Up to 12 stems (vocals, drums, bass, guitars, synths, strings, pads, etc.).
Formats: WAV (audio) or MIDI (for tempo-locked playback).
Tempo-locked: All exports respect the original song's BPM.
Workflow: Use in a DAW
Export stems from Suno.
Import into your DAW (Ableton, Logic, Pro Tools).
Adjust EQ, compression, panning, effects per stem.
Mix down to stereo master.
Export final WAV/MP3.
Use Cases
Vocal is good but drums are too loud—stem out and EQ.
Want to add your own instrumental layer on top.
Need to sync to a music video—grab the instrumental stem.
Remixing or mashup work.
Pro tip: Suno's mix is already polished. Use stems for subtle tweaks (−3dB here, +2dB there), not major surgery.
Prompt Library (Copy-Ready)
Paste these into Suno Custom mode. No artist names to avoid moderation blocks.
🎹 Breath Control Ballad
Style
Emotional piano ballad, 76 BPM, intimate studio vocal, close-mic, minimal reverb, clear consonants, short breaths between lines, soft strings only in chorus, gentle dynamics
Lyrics (First Few Lines)
[Verse 1]
I said your name, and let it go
I watched the room turn soft and slow
I took a breath, I chose the truth
I walked away, and then I moved
[Chorus]
Hold me closer, not too tight
Let the silence do it right
🔥 Beat-Switch Hip-Hop
Style
Hip-hop, 95 BPM, dusty drums, warm bass, tight pocket, clean male rap vocal, no long held notes, minimal reverb, beat switch after second hook, sudden bar of silence before drop
Lyrics (First Few Lines)
[Hook]
I don't rush it, I don't chase it
I take a breath, then I place it
[Verse 1]
Short lines, clear words, commas for space
no run-ons, no blur, stay in the pocket
💫 EDM Drop with Spacing
Style
Melodic house, 128 BPM, bright sidechain synths, big airy pads, female lead vocal, simple hook, short phrases, instrumental build, clean drop, wide stereo, polished mix
Lyrics (First Few Lines)
[Verse]
I see the lights... I feel the floor
One more breath, then give me more
[Build]
Not yet, not yet... wait
[Drop]
(Instrumental)
🌟 Cinematic Orchestral
Style
Cinematic orchestral trailer, 140 BPM, D minor, big taiko + low brass, staccato strings, choir accents, male lead vocal that is clear and restrained (no long sustains), huge dynamic build into chorus, wide stereo, punchy low-end, dramatic pauses before drops
🎸 Indie Rock Anthem
Style
Indie rock, 105 BPM, fuzzy guitars, driving bass, simple drums, raspy male vocal, high emotion, soaring chorus, minimal production philosophy, raw but polished, driving rhythm section
Melancholic piano, 96 BPM, 3/4 waltz time, delicate classical strings, ethereal female vocals, pristine recording, minor key (A minor), reverb-drenched atmosphere, slow tempo, emotional restraint
⚡ Synthwave Neon Night
Style
Synthwave, 115 BPM, driving synth bass, pulsing arpeggios, retro 80s aesthetic, male vocal with some reverb, neon-soaked production, wide stereo, synthetic drums, dark but energetic, dreamy but propulsive
🎺 Funk Groove
Style
Funk, 110 BPM, tight pocket, horn stabs on 2 and 4, synth bass walk, punchy snare, male lead vocal with attitude, clavinet, clean and percussive, groovy, 70s-inspired but modern
🌊 Dreamy Ambient Drift
Style
Ambient, 60 BPM, lush pad layers, sustained strings, female vocals floating on top, reverb-heavy, minimal rhythm, open and spacious, ethereal, immersive, no drums, hypnotic
🤘 Heavy Metal Anthem
Style
Heavy metal, 140 BPM, distorted guitars, thundering double-kick drums, guttural male vocals, power chords, soaring solos, massive low-end, anthemic chorus, intense and aggressive
🎵 Barbershop Quartet
Style
Barbershop quartet a cappella, 120 BPM, four-part tight harmony, vintage radio quality, wholesome energy, precise rhythm, no instruments, warm and nostalgic, community sing-along vibe
Gospel, 115 BPM, soulful female lead vocal, gospel choir backing, organ and piano, uplifting and spirited, call-and-response structure, hand claps, warm reverb, joyful and powerful, faith-driven emotion
🔥 Reggae Roots Riddim
Style
Reggae, 94 BPM, laid-back groove, bass-driven, male vocal with island charm, steel drums, soft snare on 3, offbeat guitar strums, relaxed and positive, grass-roots vibe, one-drop rhythm
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Troubleshooting: Quick Reference Table
Problem
Best-First Move
Settings to Touch
If It Fails
Voice not consistent across tracks
Persona + Inspire
Persona selection; Style Influence; Weirdness
Cover with Persona; Audio Upload + Audio Influence; external post tools
Lyrics slurred / rushed
Reformat lyrics + regenerate
Short lines; sparse punctuation; Exclude unwanted vocal artifacts
Replace Section; Remaster/Subtle for pronunciation
Needs clear pause on-beat
Insert/edit section in Song Editor
Beat count for inserted section; fades
Crop/Replace Section; stem edit in DAW
Instrument won't go away
Exclude
Advanced Options → Exclude
Stem mute/remove; regenerate with tighter style prompt
Sponsored
Workflow
Pick Best Take: Generate 2 variants, choose the one that nails the vibe.
Remaster for Clarity: Use Remaster with Variation Strength: Subtle to fix pronunciation/clarity without changing the core song.
Extract Stems: Get individual tracks (vocals, drums, bass) if you need to mix in your DAW or adjust EQ.
Export: Download final WAV or MP3 (with or without stems).
Pro Tips
Don't over-Remaster. One pass with Subtle is usually enough.
If you pull stems into a DAW, use them for subtle mixing (EQ, compression) rather than heavy re-recording.
Suno's mixing is already polished. Your job is to make it yours, not to "fix" it.
⚖️ Always check moderation rules: Suno may prevent generation if inputs include names of well-known artists, copyrighted terms, or trademark language. Use descriptors instead of artist names.
Ready to Create?
These techniques work because they align with how Suno actually processes music. Iteration is part of the workflow. Accept it, embrace it, and refine.