You've read the basic prompt tips. You know to be specific about genre, mood, and instruments. But you're still getting inconsistent results — sometimes magic, sometimes garbage. The difference between casual users and creators who consistently produce great tracks? Structure tags, metatags, and workflow tricks that most people don't know about.
This guide covers the advanced techniques. If you haven't read the basics yet, start with our 10 tips for better AI music prompts first.
CUSTOM MODE IS EVERYTHING
If you're still using Simple Mode, you're giving up most of your control. Custom Mode in Suno lets you define lyrics, structure, and style separately. That separation is what lets you be precise about what you want instead of hoping a single text prompt covers everything.
In Custom Mode you get three key fields: Lyrics (what gets sung), Style of Music (genre, mood, production), and Title. The magic happens when you use structure tags inside the Lyrics field.
STRUCTURE TAGS: CONTROL YOUR SONG'S FLOW
Structure tags go inside square brackets in your lyrics. They tell Suno where each section starts and what it should do. This alone separates chaotic AI audio from something that sounds like an actual song.
[Intro] — opening instrumental section
[Verse 1], [Verse 2] — standard verse sections
[Pre-Chorus] — builds tension before the chorus
[Chorus] — the hook, the big moment
[Bridge] — contrasting section, usually before the final chorus
[Outro] — ending section
[Instrumental Break] — solo or breathing room without vocals
[End] — signals Suno to fade out or stop cleanly
Here's what a well-structured prompt looks like in the Lyrics field:
Without these tags, Suno might jump between sections randomly, start singing during what should be an instrumental, or never build to a proper chorus. The tags give it a roadmap.
VOCAL TRICKS MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW
Suno reads left to right and prioritizes what comes first. "Clear, expressive female vocals with supporting pop instrumentation" gives better vocal results than "Pop song with drums, guitar, bass, and clear vocals." The vocals get buried when they're listed last.
Putting a lyric line in ALL CAPS with an exclamation mark makes the vocal delivery louder and more intense. Use this for key chorus lines or emotional peaks. Don't overuse it or everything sounds like shouting.
In your lyrics, you can specify voice changes per section. Add voice descriptions before each section: "Male baritone voice" before Verse 1 and "Female soprano" before Verse 2 to create duets. Results vary, but when it works, it's incredible.
Enclosing words in asterisks like *thunder* or *crowd cheering* can trigger Suno to incorporate those sounds into the track. It doesn't always work, but when it does, it adds a layer of production that feels intentional.
THE TWO-STAGE WORKFLOW
This is the technique that changed everything for advanced creators. Instead of trying to get a perfect track in one generation, split the process into two stages:
Stage 1: Nail the vocals. Generate with a minimal, stripped-back style prompt: "intimate acoustic version, minimal production, clear vocals." This forces Suno to prioritize vocal quality and melody without drowning them in production.
Stage 2: Add production. Take that track and use Suno's "Add Instrumentals" feature or Extend to layer in the full arrangement. Or export stems and finish in a DAW. You get the best of both worlds — clean vocals with polished production.
When you ask for everything at once — great vocals, complex instrumentation, specific production quality — Suno has to compromise. By splitting the process, each stage can focus on doing one thing well. Professionals in every creative field work this way: rough draft first, then polish.
GENRE BLENDING THAT ACTUALLY WORKS
Suno v4.5 and v5 are much better at genre mashups than previous versions. But there's a technique to it. Don't just smash two genres together — describe the blend in terms of what each genre contributes:
This works because you're telling Suno which elements to borrow from each genre, not just listing two genre names. "Emo + neo-soul" gives random results. Specifying what you want from each gives focused results.
Some mashups that work surprisingly well: folk + electronic, country + trap drums, classical orchestration + hip-hop beats, jazz chords + pop vocal melody.
PRODUCTION TERMS THAT CONTROL THE MIX
Adding production language to your style prompt influences how Suno mixes the track. These terms are often overlooked but make a real difference:
"compressed" — tightens the vocal, makes it sit forward in the mix
"uncompressed" — more dynamic, natural feel
"lo-fi, tape hiss, warm" — bedroom recording texture
"crisp, modern, studio-polished" — clean commercial sound
"spacious, reverb, atmospheric" — creates depth and width
"dry, intimate, close-mic" — tight, personal sound
THE ITERATE-AND-SAVE SYSTEM
The best Suno creators don't generate one track and call it done. They generate 3-4 takes from the same prompt, pick the best "spine" (the take with the best vibe and hook), and then iterate only on the weakest section. Save prompts that work in a notes doc — they're reusable templates.
Think of each generation like a take in a recording studio. You're not looking for perfection on the first try. You're looking for the magic moment you can build on.
For a full comparison of what Suno can do vs Udio and ElevenLabs, read our platform comparison. And if you're on the fence about upgrading, check our Suno v5 vs v4.5 breakdown.
PUT THESE TRICKS TO THE TEST
Create your best track with these techniques and submit it to VoteMyAI. See how the community rates your advanced prompt skills.
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