Suno Tags (English)

Meta-tags: Errata

Last modified: 2025, April 08.

Known misbehaving tags/tags values

Tag

Status

Notes

[accent: ...]

❌ High hallucination risk

Unpredictable. Will often produce gibberish lyrics. Avoid.

[autotune: ...]

⚠️ Unstable

Can trigger vocal glitches or ghost vocals; not recommended.

[bpm: ...]

❌ Deprecated

Explicit BPM values (e.g., [bpm: 120]) are ignored. Use [tempo: slow/fast/moderate/variable] instead.

[emotion: ...]

❌ Ignored

Appears valid, but ignored; use [mood:] or [vocal-style:] instead.

[key: ...]

❌ Broken

Although musically logical, does not affect harmonic key. Use [modulation: ...] if available.

[language: ...]

❌ Dangerous

Causes hallucinated pseudo-languages or gibberish. Use [vocal-language:] experimentally and carefully.

[loop: ...]

⚠️ Risky

Might work in intro/outro for ambient, but often misinterpreted.

[master: ...]

❌ Ignored

"Mastering" tags like [master: soft/bright] do not apply.

[melody: ...]

❌ Invalid

Melody directives are not directly controllable via this tag.

[mix: clean/dirty]

❌ Misfires

Mix preferences often misunderstood; prefer [compression:] or [filter:] tags.

[panning: ...]

❌ Broken alias

Use [pan: ...] instead — panning is not a valid tag.

[persona: ...]

❌ Mode conflict

Should not be placed in lyrics. Persona is a generation mode, not a tag.

[sing-style: ...]

❌ Deprecated

Early alpha tag. Replaced by [vocal-style:].

[style: none]

❌ Invalid

"none" is not interpreted as a meaningful style. Will confuse output.

[section: ...]

❌ Redundant

Rejected or misread; use [intro: ...], [verse: ...] etc.

[song-type: ...]

❌ Ignored

Used in early Suno alpha; currently has no effect.

[theme: ...]

❌ Conflicting

Rejected by parser; use named theme, i.e. [theme A: ...] or [theme B: ...].

[volume: ...]

❌ Ignored

No effect; prefer [gain:] or [intensity:].

Tips on using meta-tags

Use only known or confirmed tags.

Avoid alias or ambiguous tags like bpm, key, language.

Test in Standalone mode first — many tags that break in Extend or Cover work fine solo.

If in doubt, use "[style: experimental]" or "[control: hallucinatory]" to encourage flexible output instead of forcing

Meta-tags definitions

Below is the list of meta-tags recognized by Suno audio tracks generation service (as confirmed by user tests and official Suno documentation).

[accelerando]

Meaning: Specifies a gradual increase in tempo, creating a sense of urgency, excitement, or transition.

Placement: Typically used within [tempo], [structure], or [rhythm].

Accepted Parameters:

gradual — Slow, steady increase in speed.

sudden — Sharp, quick tempo increase.

layered — Different instruments accelerating at different rates.

intensified — Accompanied by increased dynamics or harmonic tension.

syncopated — Rhythmic acceleration with offbeat emphasis.

Sample Usage:

[accelerando: Gradual tempo increase leading into the climax.]

Genre-Based Usage:

Classical & Orchestral: Used in symphonic works and fugues for momentum.

Jazz & Latin: Accelerando builds swing and groove over a solo section.

Rock & Metal: Driving guitar riffs increase tempo for intensity.

EDM & Trance: Used in buildups before a drop.

Track Structure Recommendation

[intro: Steady tempo with calm instrumentation]

[verse: Gradual accelerando with layering synths]

[chorus: Full-speed section with high energy]

[bridge: Slowdown before another accelerando]

[outro: Return to a slower tempo]

[ad-lib]

Meaning: Specifies a freely improvised vocal or instrumental phrase, often used in solos or embellishments.

Placement: Typically used within [vocals] or [structure].

Accepted Parameters:

vocal — Spontaneous, expressive singing.

instrumental — Improvised instrumental fills.

rhythmic — Ad-libbed drum patterns.

melodic — Improvised melody variations.

harmonic — Free chordal movement.

Sample Usage:

[ad-lib: Vocal runs in the final chorus for emotional impact.]

Genre-Based Usage:

Jazz & Blues: Essential for improvised solos.

Hip-Hop & R&B: Vocal ad-libs enhance expressiveness.

Rock & Metal: Guitar ad-libs add raw energy.

Latin & Afrobeat: Percussion ad-libs for dance groove.

Track Structure Recommendation

[intro: Sparse vocals with ad-lib whispers]

[verse: Structured melody with ad-libbed embellishments]

[chorus: Powerful vocal ad-libs on key lines]

[bridge: Improvised guitar or sax solo]

[outro: Soft, fading ad-lib phrases]

[ambient]

Meaning: Defines a track as atmospheric, textural, and non-rhythmic, often using drones, pads, or environmental sounds.

Placement: Typically used within [style], [mixing], or [structure].

Accepted Parameters:

textural — Emphasizes layered sound textures.

minimal — Sparse and open sound design.

dark — Mysterious, eerie ambient tones.

bright — Ethereal, uplifting ambiance.

dissonant — Subtle or strong unresolved tension.

Sample Usage:

[ambient: Dark, textural drones fading in and out.]

Genre-Based Usage:

Cinematic & Soundtrack: Enhances scene-setting and emotion.

Electronic & Drone: Builds slow-moving soundscapes.

Experimental & Avant-Garde: Creates abstract sonic experiences.

Lo-Fi & Chill: Soft ambient pads provide a relaxing background.

Track Structure Recommendation

[intro: Faint, layered ambient textures]

[verse: Soft ambient swells and deep bass pads]

[chorus: Expanding textures with shimmering synths]

[bridge: Minimalist moment with evolving drones]

[outro: Fading ambient echoes]

[arpeggio]

Meaning: Defines a broken chord sequence, where notes are played individually instead of simultaneously.

Placement: Typically used within [harmony] or [rhythm].

Accepted Parameters:

rising — Arpeggio pattern ascends.

falling — Arpeggio pattern descends.

circular — Continuously repeating patterns.

syncopated — Offbeat rhythmic arpeggios.

randomized — Variations in note sequence.

Sample Usage:

[arpeggio: Syncopated synth arpeggios driving the groove.]

Genre-Based Usage:

Classical & Baroque: Harpsichord and piano arpeggios provide intricate motion.

Rock & Progressive: Guitar arpeggios enhance melody flow.

Electronic & Synthwave: Rapid, repeating synth arpeggios create movement.

Jazz & Blues: Improvised arpeggios add harmonic fluidity.

Track Structure Recommendation

[intro: Soft, rising piano arpeggios]

[verse: Low arpeggios supporting the melody]

[chorus: Faster, syncopated arpeggio patterns]

[bridge: Swirling synth arpeggios layered over bass]

[outro: Descending, fading arpeggios]

[arrangement]

Meaning: Defines the organization of musical elements, including instrumentation, section order, and layering.

Placement: Typically used within [structure], [orchestration], or [mixing].

Accepted Parameters:

dense — Full, layered orchestration.

minimal — Sparse, delicate textures.

layered — Different instrumental layers building over time.

dynamic — Varying section energy throughout.

orchestral — Classical-style arrangement.

Sample Usage:

[arrangement: Layered instrumentation building towards climax.]

Genre-Based Usage:

Classical & Symphonic: Dense orchestral arrangements for cinematic pieces.

Jazz & Big Band: Dynamic arrangements with brass and woodwinds.

Electronic & Pop: Layered synth arrangements create depth.

Minimalist & Experimental: Sparse arrangements leave room for textures.

Track Structure Recommendation

[intro: Minimal arrangement with only a piano and soft pads]

[verse: Gradually introducing more instruments]

[chorus: Full, layered arrangement with harmonies]

[bridge: Stripped-down section before a build-up]

[outro: Gradual removal of instruments for a soft fade-out]

[articulation]

Meaning: Specifies how notes are played in terms of attack, transition, and connection between them.

Placement: Typically placed within [instruments] or [style].

Accepted Parameters:

staccato — Short, detached notes.

legato — Smooth, connected notes.

marcato — Strongly accented notes.

tenuto — Notes played at full duration.

accented — Notes emphasized with additional force.

spiccato — Lightly bouncing bow strokes (for strings).

sustained — Notes held for extended durations.

Sample Usage:

[articulation: Staccato strings and legato woodwinds for contrast.]

Advice:

Use "staccato" for punchy, rhythmic compositions.

Use "legato" for smooth and flowing melodies.

Combine articulations to create dynamic contrasts.

[attack]

Meaning: Defines how quickly a note reaches its full volume after being played.

Placement: Typically placed within [dynamics], [instruments], or [mixing].

Accepted Parameters:

sharp — A quick, percussive attack (good for plucked strings, electronic leads).

soft — A gentle, gradual attack (suitable for pads, ambient textures).

gradual — Slow attack leading to full volume (useful for swells and cinematic soundscapes).

percussive — Extremely sharp attack for rhythmic impact.

Sample Usage:

[attack: Soft attack on synth pads for smooth transitions.]

Advice:

Use sharp attack for rhythmic punch (percussion, electric bass).

Use gradual attack for build-ups and orchestral swells.

Combine with [sustain] to shape the envelope of a sound.

[background-vocals]

Meaning: Specifies harmonized or complementary vocals that support the lead vocal.

Placement: Typically used within [vocals], [harmony], or [structure].

Accepted Parameters:

harmonic — Background vocals provide harmonic support.

call-response — Background vocals interact with the lead.

layered — Multiple vocal tracks stacked for richness.

ethereal — Distant, reverb-heavy vocals for ambiance.

chant — Repeated, rhythmic background phrases.

Sample Usage:

[background-vocals: Layered harmonies in the chorus for depth.]

Genre-Based Usage:

Pop & R&B: Rich harmonic background vocals enhance melodies.

Gospel & Soul: Call-and-response vocals create intensity.

Electronic & Dream Pop: Ethereal vocals blend into atmospheric textures.

Rock & Metal: Chanted or shouted background vocals add energy.

Track Structure Recommendation

[intro: Sparse, whispered background vocals]

[verse: Subtle harmonies supporting the melody]

[chorus: Layered, full background harmonies]

[bridge: Call-and-response vocals adding drama]

[outro: Ethereal fade-out with reverb on background vocals]

[bass]

Meaning: Defines the bassline characteristics, its prominence, and style.

Placement: Typically placed within [instruments], [mixing], or [rhythm].

Accepted Parameters:

deep — Low, rumbling bass frequencies.

sub-bass — Focus on low-end frequencies under 60Hz.

pulsing — Repetitive bass rhythm, often in electronic music.

saturated — Heavy, distorted bass (common in phonk, industrial, metal).

modulated — Bass with frequency or amplitude variations.

syncopated — Offbeat or groove-heavy bass patterns.

Sample Usage:

[bass: Deep, pulsating sub-bass driving the rhythm.]

Advice:

Deep/sub-bass works best for electronic, trap, and cinematic music.

Syncopated bass is ideal for funk, jazz, and reggae.

Use saturation or distortion to create a gritty, aggressive tone.

[bass-slide]

Meaning: Specifies a sliding bass note, often used for groove or tension.

Placement: Typically used within [bass], [rhythm], or [effects].

Accepted Parameters:

upward — Slide from a lower pitch to a higher note.

downward — Slide from a higher pitch to a lower note.

glissando — A smooth, continuous slide.

percussive — Short, quick slides for rhythmic emphasis.

synth — A bass slide effect generated on a synthesizer.

Sample Usage:

[bass-slide: Downward glissando before the chorus drop.]

Genre-Based Usage:

Funk & Jazz: Upward bass slides add groove.

Hip-Hop & Trap: 808 sub-bass slides create deep movement.

Rock & Metal: Aggressive bass slides introduce breakdowns.

Electronic & House: Synth bass slides add energy to drops.

Track Structure Recommendation

[intro: Deep, slow bass slide into the groove]

[verse: Subtle slides in the bassline for fluidity]

[chorus: Upward bass-slide leading into the drop]

[bridge: Dramatic downward slide transitioning to tension]

[outro: Fading bass-slide resolving into silence]

[beat-switch]

Meaning: Indicates a sudden or gradual change in rhythm, often altering tempo, groove, or drum patterns.

Placement: Typically used within [rhythm], [structure], or [break].

Accepted Parameters:

sudden — A sharp, unexpected change in beat.

gradual — A slow transition from one beat to another.

double-time — The beat shifts to twice the original speed.

half-time — The beat slows to half speed.

syncopated — The rhythm becomes more unpredictable.

Sample Usage:

[beat-switch: Sudden double-time transition into the drop.]

Genre-Based Usage:

Hip-Hop & Phonk: Beat-switches create contrast between sections.

Trap & EDM: Half-time switches slow the groove for tension.

Jazz & Funk: Syncopated beat-switches add complexity.

Rock & Metal: Double-time sections increase intensity.

Track Structure Recommendation

[intro: Slow, steady beat]

[verse: Syncopated groove with tension]

[chorus: Sudden beat-switch to double-time]

[bridge: Half-time breakdown for contrast]

[outro: Gradual fade into the original groove]

[big finish]

Meaning: Defines a grand, climactic ending, often with increased volume, instrumentation, or dramatic buildup.

Placement: Typically used within [structure], [dynamics], or [orchestration].

Accepted Parameters:

orchestral — Full symphonic ending.

rock — Extended guitar and drum finale.

electronic — Massive synth drop or explosion.

fade-out — Grand but gradually diminishing.

percussive — Intense drum fills leading to the end.

Sample Usage:

[big finish: Orchestral swells and cymbal crashes building to a dramatic ending.]

Genre-Based Usage:

Cinematic & Classical: Orchestral swells for epic finales.