Instrumental or vocals: which to ask the model for
Learn when to ask Suno's AI music model for instrumentals or vocals. Get clear examples and understand how to get the best results for your music.
When generating music with Suno, you can ask the model for an instrumental track or a song with vocals. If you want a full song with singing, include phrases like "with male vocals" or "female singer" in your prompt. If you prefer a track without any singing, specify "instrumental" or omit any mention of vocals.
Asking for Vocals
To generate music with vocals, you need to tell the model you want them. The AI will then create lyrics and a vocal performance based on your prompt. You can specify the type of voice, such as "male vocals," "female vocals," or even a general "choir."
Here are some examples of prompts that include vocals:
"A powerful rock anthem with soaring female vocals and a driving guitar riff."
"A soulful jazz track with a smooth male vocalist and a saxophone solo."
"An upbeat pop song with a catchy chorus, featuring both male and female vocals."
Vocal Style and Lyrics
The model generates lyrics based on the overall mood and genre described in your prompt. You can influence the lyrical content by being specific about themes or emotions. For instance, a prompt for a "sad breakup song" will likely result in lyrics reflecting that theme. However, you cannot dictate specific lines of text for the vocals; the model creates them automatically.
Keep in mind that the quality and style of the generated vocals can vary. The AI aims to match the vocal performance to the musical genre and mood you request. Sometimes, the vocal delivery might be more conversational, while other times it might be more melodic and sung.
Asking for Instrumentals
If your goal is a track without any singing, specify "instrumental" in your prompt. This tells the model to focus solely on the musical arrangement. You can also achieve an instrumental track by simply not mentioning vocals at all, as the model defaults to instrumental when no vocal request is present. However, being explicit with "instrumental" ensures clarity.
Here are examples of prompts for instrumental tracks:
"A calming instrumental piano piece for meditation."
"An energetic instrumental electronic dance track with a strong beat."
"A dramatic orchestral instrumental score for a film scene."
Uses for Instrumental Tracks
Instrumental tracks are versatile. You might use them as background music for videos, podcasts, or presentations. They can also serve as inspiration for your own compositions, giving you a base to build upon with your own melodies or lyrics.
Understanding Model Limitations
Suno uses advanced AI models like Lyria 3, but there are some important limitations to understand:
- Probabilistic Generation: Every generation is unique. The same prompt will produce different results each time. If you don't like a track, try generating it again or slightly rephrase your prompt.
- No Imitation of Real Artists: The model cannot imitate the style of specific artists, bands, or public figures. Do not include artist names in your prompts, as this will not work and may lead to less relevant results.
- Lyric Control: You cannot provide specific lyrics for the model to sing. The AI generates its own lyrics based on the prompt's theme and mood.
- SynthID Watermarking: Every piece of music generated by Suno includes an inaudible SynthID watermark. This watermark identifies the audio as AI-generated.
Copyright and Commercial Use
Copyright in AI-generated content is a complex and evolving area of law. Jurisdictions around the world have different approaches, and some, like the US Copyright Office, have stated that human authorship is required for copyright registration. You should consult the copyright laws in your country to understand your rights regarding AI-generated music.
Regarding commercial use, tracks generated on Suno's free plan do not include commercial usage rights. If you intend to use any generated music for commercial purposes, a paid plan is required. Please refer to our terms of service for full details on usage rights and plans.