Suno: your first 30–90 second track (2026)

Suno does not read a script aloud — it creates a song with lyrics, vocals and instruments. This flow takes about 18 minutes and produces a 30–90 second track you can use as background for a Runway clip, a test jingle or a musical mockup. You start from a one-line prompt with genre, tempo and theme; not a list of adjectives.

1. Steps 1

   Write a prompt: genre + tempo + theme

   Open a text editor or ChatGPT and write one or two sentences. Include musical genre, approximate tempo, instrumentation and lyric theme. Example: «midtempo indie pop, acoustic guitar and soft drums, lyrics about a night train journey». Do not stack adjectives («epic, amazing, unique») without context. For Spanish vocals, say so in the prompt («lyrics in Spanish»). For instrumental, add «no vocals» or «instrumental».

   What you should see: One or two sentences in an editor, ready to copy. Suno not open yet.

2. Steps 2

   Open Suno → Create

   Go to suno.com and sign in (Google, Discord or email). In the sidebar or home, choose Create (or the + button for a new song). You will see a central prompt field and mode options below. Do not open Suno Studio or the advanced editor yet — this tutorial stays on basic generation.

   What you should see: The Create screen with an empty prompt field, Simple/Custom mode selector visible and daily credits in the corner.

3. Steps 3

   Choose Simple or Custom

   Below the prompt field, pick a mode. Simple: paste your description and Suno decides structure and style. Best starting point for a first track. Custom: you write the lyrics and Suno sings them with the style you specify in another field. Use it only when you already have written lyrics. For this tutorial, stay on Simple and paste the prompt you prepared.

   What you should see: Simple mode selected. Your prompt pasted in the central field. Create Song button ready.

4. Steps 4

   Hit Create and wait for two versions

   Hit Create Song (or the equivalent button with the music note icon). Suno generates two versions of the same idea — not a single take. Generation takes 30 seconds to two minutes depending on queue. Do not close the tab or regenerate while loading: you would spend extra credits. On the Free plan you use the v4.5-all model; v5.x models require a paid plan.

   What you should see: Loading indicator or progress bar. Then two entries in the player or library with versions A and B.

5. Steps 5

   Listen to both versions start to finish

   Play version A in full. Then B. Pay attention to: rhythm and tempo, vocal clarity, lyric coherence and whether the genre matches what you asked for. Do not judge in the first 5 seconds — chorus or bridge can change the tone. Note which version fits your use (clip background, jingle, mockup).

   What you should see: Player with waveform or cover art. Two songs playable start to finish. Typical length: 30–120 seconds.

6. Steps 6

   Pick the keeper or adjust the prompt

   If one version works, mark it as favorite or note its ID. If lyrics sound generic or genre misses, edit the prompt before regenerating: change tempo («uptempo» instead of «midtempo»), specify instruments («piano and vocals only») or narrow the theme («lyrics about specialty coffee, not travel»). One changed word can alter the whole song. Regenerate only when the prompt is better, not when the same description failed twice.

   What you should see: One song selected as keeper, or an edited prompt in the text field ready for a new Create.

7. Steps 7

   Download MP3 and test in context

   On the keeper song, open the menu (three dots or download icon) and choose Download → MP3. On the Free plan the file may have an audible watermark; commercial use needs Pro or Premier. Name the file by project (`clip-coffee-v1.mp3`). Play it over your Runway clip, a test video or slide in CapCut, Premiere or whatever player you use. Check that tempo fits the edit — Suno does not sync to your video.

   What you should see: An MP3 in your downloads folder. Audio overlaid on a video or slide in an editor or player.