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Tags and Prompts Overview

Learn how to use structure-first prompts, concise tags, genre setup, vocal and FX control, chords, pauses, and accent tips for reliable results.

Updated over a month ago

Note: There is currently no built-in feature for more advanced sound control. This approach is a workaround, not a guaranteed solution, and results can vary; it may not work in every situation.

1. Introduction & Creative Workflow

Purpose

This guide is a practical reference for creators building custom lyrical or instrumental tracks in Songer. It covers tag use, song structure, genre configuration, and expressive control, everything you need to get more predictable, polished results from your prompts.

Core Principles

  • Structure first: Define genre and style, then language, then lyrics

  • Brevity matters: The genre and style field has a 100-character limit and accepts up to 5 tags. Keep your sonic and emotional cues concise

  • Predictability over surprise: Small, clear tags yield more accurate results than long, complex instructions

  • Human energy: Every line or layer should serve motion, groove, or emotion

Typical Prompt Flow

Field

Purpose

Notes

Genre/Style Field

Defines genre, rhythm, instrumentation, mood, vocal style, and accent in one line

≤ 100 characters (≈ 5 descriptors)

Language

Vocal language

e.g. English, French, Swedish

Lyrics

Full song text with [Verse], [Chorus], etc.

Generate: ≤ 1000 characters

Custom lyrics: ≤ 2500 characters

2. Universal Tag Index (Overview)

Tags are enclosed in square brackets [like this]. Group them by function for reliable results.

2.1 Structure Tags

Section

Tag

Description

Intro

[Intro]

First section

Verse

[Verse 1], [Verse 2]

Main narrative sections

Pre-Chorus

[Pre-Chorus]

Chorus

[Chorus], [Hook]

Repeated refrains

Bridge

[Bridge]

Contrast or tension

Drop

[Drop]

Build

[Build]

Outro

[Outro]

Fade or final section

Instrumental break

[Instrumental Break]

No vocal passage

Reprise

[Reprise]

Solo

[Solo]

2.2 Vocal & Harmony Tags

Vocal Tags

[Duet Vocals], [Lead], [Response], [Harmonies], [Unison], [Soft Delivery], [Intimate Delivery], [Minimal Vibrato], [Powerful Delivery], [Breathy], [Whisper Tone], [Angelic Tone], [Raw, Imperfect Vocals], [Talk-Singing Vocals], [Spoken-Style Vocals], [Spoken], [Rap], [High Pitch Vocals], [Low Pitch Vocals], [Soulful Delivery], [Deep Vocals], [Soft High Register], [Falsetto Vocals], [Bass Vocals], [Angelic Vocals], [Country Accent], [Norwegian Accent], [French Accent], [US Southern Accent], [British Accent], [Breathy Vocals], [Smooth Vocals], [Whisper Vocals], [Airy Vocal FX], [Layered Harmony FX], [Choral Backing FX], [Double Tracking FX], [Vocal Reverb FX], [Live Vocal FX], [Vocoder FX], [Pitch Shift FX], [Radio Voice FX], [Telephone FX], [Breathy Echo FX], [Haunting Vocal FX]

Type

Tag

Description

Duet

[Duet Vocals] / [Duet]

Alternating or combined phrasing

Backing vocals

[Harmony Vocals], [Background Choir]

Adds depth

Style

[Spoken], [Rap]

Special vocal style

Accent

[British Accent], [Norwegian Accent], [Southern Drawl]

Vocal character

Vocal Sound Design Tags

Category

Example Tags

Description

Tone & Texture

[Breathy Vocals], [Smooth Vocals], [Whisper Vocals], [Whisper FX], [Soft Tone], [Powerful Vocals]

Adjust the vocal delivery mood

Character & Emotion

[Soft Emotion FX], [Soulful Vocals], [Angelic Vocals], [Haunting Vocals]

Control expressive tone

Layering & Space

[Double Tracking FX], [Choral Backing FX], [Vocal Reverb FX]

Create vocal width & ambience

Processing & Filters

[Telephone FX], [Radio Voice FX], [Pitch Shift FX], [Vocoder FX]

Apply stylistic vocal effects

Performance Presence

[Live Vocal FX], [Stage Ambience FX], [Crowd Reverb FX]

Simulate live or studio settings

2.3 Instrumentation Tags

[Acoustic Guitar], [Electric Guitar], [Bass Guitar], [Upright Bass], [Drums], [Brush Drums], [808 Bass], [Synth Bass], [Piano], [Rhodes], [Wurlitzer], [Strings], [Violin], [Cello], [Brass], [Trumpet], [Saxophone], [Trombone], [Flute], [Harp], [Percussion], [Taiko Drums], [Shaker], [Conga], [Bongo], [Steel Drums], [Synth Arps], [Pluck Synth], [Choir], [Pads], [Atmospheric Pads], [Ambient Drones], [Soundscape FX]

Example

Family

Tag Examples

Notes

Strings

[Violin], [Cello], [Strings Ensemble]

Pads or melody

Guitars

[Acoustic Guitar], [Electric Guitar], [Slide Guitar]

Style definition

Keys

[Piano], [Rhodes], [Organ], [Synth Arp]

Harmonic base

Rhythm

[Drum Kit], [808 Kick], [Conga], [Shaker]

Groove control

Brass / Wood

[Trumpet], [Sax], [Flute], [Clarinet]

Jazz / Soul colors

Electronic

[Bass Synth], [Pad], [Lead Synth]

Club energy

2.4 FX & Ambience Tags

FX & Ambience

[Reverb FX], [Delay FX], [Echo FX], [Filter Sweep FX], [Sidechain FX], [Riser FX], [Drop FX], [Vocal Chop FX], [Stutter FX], [Distortion FX], [Chorus FX], [Flanger FX], [Phaser FX], [Analog Tape Warmth FX], [Vintage Reverb FX], [Rain FX], [Wind FX], [Birdsong FX], [Thunder FX], [Forest FX], [Water FX], [Ocean Waves FX], [Fire Crackle FX], [Audience Applause FX], [Mic Feedback FX], [Crowd FX], [Live Room FX], [Stage Ambience FX], [Crowd Cheer FX], [Concert Hall FX], [Hall Reverb FX], [Plate Reverb FX], [Room Reverb FX], [Cathedral Reverb FX], [Reverb Tail FX], [Stereo Delay FX], [Ping-Pong Delay FX], [Tape Delay FX], [Short Delay FX], [Tremolo FX], [Vibrato FX], [Rotary Speaker FX], [Wah-Wah FX], [Distortion FX], [Overdrive FX], [Fuzz FX], [Analog Warmth FX], [Tape Saturation FX], [Guitar Amp FX], [Bass Drive FX], [Filter Sweep FX], [High-Pass Filter FX], [Low-Pass Filter FX], [EQ Boost FX], [LFO FX], [Sidechain FX], [Resonance FX], [Night Crickets FX], [City Ambience FX], [Street Rain FX], [Forest FX], [Glitch FX], [Impact FX], [Sub Bass FX], [Bass Drop FX], [Pulse FX], [Synth Arp FX]

FX Categories

Category

Example Tags

Purpose

Spatial FX

[Reverb FX], [Echo FX], [Hall Reverb FX], [Room Ambience FX], [Large Hall Reverb], [Cathedral FX]

Create depth and environment

Texture FX

[Vinyl Crackle FX], [Tape Hiss FX], [Analog Warmth FX], [Tape Delay]

Add warmth, realism, vintage tone

Environmental FX

[Rain FX], [Wind FX], [Ocean FX], [Applause FX], [Birds FX], [Ocean Waves FX]

Evoke mood or realism

Modulation FX

[Chorus FX], [Phaser FX], [Flanger FX], [Phaser], [Flanger]

Enhance movement and stereo width

Distortion FX

[Overdrive], [Saturation]

Energy boost

Vocal FX

[Breathy Vocals], [Layered Harmony FX], [Airy Vocal FX]

Affect vocal delivery & presence

Electronic FX

[Filter Sweep FX], [LFO FX], [Sub Bass FX], [Sidechain FX]

Add motion, EDM-style tension

Creative FX

[Reverse FX], [Glitch FX], [Drop FX], [Build FX]

Used for transitions and breakdowns

Live Crowd FX

[Applause FX], [Audience FX], [Club Ambience]

Adds performance feel

2.5 Dynamics & Expression

Production (Dynamics & Arrangement)

[Crescendo], [Swells], [Staccato], [Legato], [Breakdown], [Build], [Drop], [Reprise], [Layered Harmonies], [Full Orchestra], [Minimal Mix], [Fade In], [Fade Out], [Dramatic Fade], [Quiet Interlude], [Epic Drums], [Main Theme], [Climax], [Symphonic Arrangement], [Dark Atmosphere]

Tag

Meaning

[Crescendo]

Gradual build-up

[Diminuendo]

Gentle fade

[Staccato]

Short articulation

[Legato]

Smooth connection

[Swells]

Orchestral motion

[Soft Intro] / [Strong Outro]

Emotional entry/exit

3. Prompt Building & Best Practices

3.1 Prompt Syntax Example

Genre / Style Field: country waltz, 3/4, American vocals, acoustic Lyrics: [Verse 1] … [Chorus] … [Outro]

Genre / Style Field Rules

Rule

Description

Example

Use ≤ 5 short phrases

Combine genre, tempo, accent, vocal type, and instrument focus

melodic techno, cinematic, British vocals, 126 BPM

Include vocal style + accent

Guides voice model choice and pronunciation

country waltz, 3/4, American vocals, acoustic

Add rhythm/tempo info

slow waltz, 3/4, 90 BPM, 4/4 club

Define the main instrument color

trumpet-led, piano, acoustic, synth-heavy

Avoid sentences

“This song should sound like a sad movie.”

Avoid redundant adjectives

“beautiful, melodic, very emotional, lovely”

3.2 Golden Rules

  • Time Signature: Include explicitly (3/4, 4/4, 6/8).

  • Tempo: Add target BPM (“90 BPM slow waltz”).

  • Instrument Hierarchy: Start with dominant instrument tags, then color layers.

  • Mood Words: Use 2–3 emotion words max (“melancholic, hopeful, dreamy”).

Genre / Style Field Formula

[Primary Genre], [Subgenre or Mood], [Accent + Vocal Type], [Instrumentation or Feel], [Tempo or Time Signature], [FX]

Component

Example Values

Genre

pop, jazz, techno, gospel, country

Subgenre / Mood

melodic, deep, fusion, soulful, cinematic

Accent + Vocal

American vocals, British vocals, French vocals

Instrument Focus

piano, trumpet-led, acoustic, synth-heavy

Tempo / Signature

90 BPM, 3/4, 4/4, 12/8

FX

audience applause

Compliant Examples

Style

Prompt

Interpretation

Country Waltz

country waltz, 3/4, American vocals, acoustic

American voice, 3/4 acoustic waltz

Melodic Techno

melodic techno, cinematic, British vocals, 126 BPM

British tone, cinematic melodic techno

Jazz Ballad

jazz ballad, slow, French vocals, trumpet

Smooth French vocals, trumpet-led ballad

Soul R&B

soul r&b, 90 BPM, African vocals, piano-led

Warm African tone, soulful R&B

Pop Dance

pop dance, American vocals, upbeat

Bright American voice, dance pop

Amapiano

amapiano, South African vocals, log drum, 112 BPM

Local tone with log drum groove

Cinematic Ballad

cinematic ballad, orchestral, British vocals, slow

Orchestral ballad with British vocals

4. Lyrics & Vocal Craft

4.1 Lyric Structure

Section

Function

Verse

Story progression

Chorus

Emotional anchor & hook

Bridge

Change of perspective

Outro

Closure or echo theme

4.2 Crafting Lyrics

  • Keep lines short (6–10 words).

  • Use clear vowels for melody flow.

  • Repeat keywords sparingly for catchiness.

  • Avoid complex rhymes that break meter.

4.3 Duets & Harmonies

Genre/Style Field: Duet, harmonies 
Prompt:
[Duet] I see the way you look at me
[Harmonies] Love is our secret song

Use explicit vocal tags per line for balance.

Next steps

Ready to try experimenting with custom lyrics or instrumentals? Check the next guides:

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