How to make synthwave with AI

You can make synthwave with AI by combining specific instruments, tempo, and mood words in your prompt. Focus on elements like synthesizers, drum machines, and a retro, nostalgic feel to guide the AI model.

What is Synthwave?

Synthwave is an electronic music genre influenced by 1980s film soundtracks and video games. It often features retro-futuristic aesthetics, drawing on 80s culture, science fiction, and action films. Key characteristics include gated reverb on drums, analog synthesizer sounds, and a focus on melody.

The Synthwave Prompt Recipe

To generate synthwave tracks with Suno, think about these four elements:

• Instruments: What sounds define synthwave? Synthesizers are central, along with drum machines. Specific synth types like arpeggiators, pads, and bass synths are common. Electric guitars, particularly with a chorus effect, also fit the genre.
• Tempo: Synthwave typically falls into a medium tempo range. Aim for 80-140 beats per minute (BPM). Faster tempos can lean into 'outrun' or 'darksynth', while slower tempos might feel more ambient.
• Production Texture: How does synthwave feel? It's often rich with reverb, delay, and chorus effects. Think about a wide, spacious soundstage. Vocals, if present, are usually clean or slightly processed.
• Mood Words: What emotions does synthwave evoke? "Nostalgic," "retro," "dreamy," "futuristic," "melancholy," "epic," and "cinematic" are good starting points. These words help the AI capture the genre's characteristic atmosphere.

Instrument Choices for Synthwave

When you write your prompt, include specific instruments. This helps the AI select appropriate sounds. Good choices include:

• Synthesizers: "Analog synth," "arpeggiated synth," "synth pad," "bass synth," "lead synth."
• Drums: "Drum machine," "gated reverb drums," "80s drums."
• Other: "Electric guitar," "chorus guitar," "synth bass."

Tempo and Structure

Specify a tempo range or a precise BPM. This keeps your track within the genre's typical pace. For example, "120 BPM" or "medium tempo."

Also consider structure. Synthwave tracks often have clear intros, verses, choruses, and sometimes a bridge or solo section. You can suggest this in your prompt, but the model will usually generate a complete song structure anyway.

Production and Effects

Describe the desired production style. Words like "reverb," "delay," "chorus," "wide stereo image," or "lush production" can guide the AI to create the right sonic landscape.

Mood and Theme

Use descriptive mood words. This is where you can infuse your personal vision. Do you want a "dark and gritty" synthwave track, or something more "upbeat and hopeful"? The model interprets these cues to shape the overall feeling.

Example Prompts

Here are some examples, from general to more specific, to help you get started:

Basic Synthwave Prompt

This prompt gives the model a clear genre and a few key elements.

"Synthwave track with synthesizers and drum machines. Retro feel."

More Detailed Synthwave Prompt

Adding more detail about instruments and mood helps refine the output.

"An instrumental synthwave track. Features a driving drum machine beat, a melodic lead synth, and warm synth pads. Nostalgic and cinematic mood, 110 BPM."

Specific Synthwave Prompt

This prompt specifies effects, a more precise tempo, and a clear atmospheric goal.

"Epic synthwave song with a strong bassline from a synth bass. Arpeggiated synths and gated reverb drums. Electric guitar with chorus effect for a solo. Dreamy, futuristic, and slightly melancholic. Lush production with lots of delay and reverb. 128 BPM."

Important Considerations

Suno uses Google's Lyria 3 models. Like all AI generation, the process is probabilistic. This means the same prompt can produce different results each time you use it. Experiment with your wording to find what works best for your vision.

Suno's models are not designed to imitate specific artists. Focus on genre elements and mood rather than trying to replicate a particular sound-alike. The platform also applies an inaudible SynthID watermark to all generated tracks.

Regarding usage rights, the copyright status of AI-generated music is unsettled and varies by country. Check the regulations in your region. For commercial use, a paid Suno plan is required. Review the Suno terms of service for full details on commercial usage rights.