I compared Suno v4 vs. v3.5 – here’s what you need to know:

Creating AI music has never been more accessible, but with constant updates and new versions, it’s challenging to know which tools deliver the best results. Having extensively tested both Suno v4 and Suno v3.5 versions, I’m here to share my findings.

After extensively covering Suno’s AI song generator journey from its impressive $125m funding round to the release of version 3.5, and eagerly anticipating the Suno v4 release date, I couldn’t wait to put their latest iteration to the test. The platform recently made waves when Timbaland launched a $100K remix contest using their technology, demonstrating its potential for professional-grade music creation. They’ve also introduced a game-changing personas feature that helps musicians craft more distinctive outputs.

But now, let’s cut to the chase:

Suno v4 has just dropped for Pro plan subscribers, and I’ve spent hours comparing it with its predecessor across different genres.

I conducted 2 rigorous tests (more coming soon) comparing Suno’s AI music generator, focusing on nu metal and country, utilizing the Suno AI song generator to produce tracks. Using a systematic scoring approach across songwriting, production, vocal performance, and prompt accuracy, the results were fascinating. 

Here’s what’s inside:

What’s different about this review:

While many focus on features alone, I’ve developed a comprehensive scoring system evaluating songwriting, music production, vocal performance, and prompt accuracy. This systematic approach provides clear insights into real-world applications for musicians and creators.

Scoring Guide (0 – 10):

• 9-10: Professional quality
• 7-8: Very good
• 5-6: Acceptable
• 3-4: Needs improvement
• 1-2: Poor quality

Songwriting	Music Production	Vocal Performance	Prompt Accuracy
Melody quality	Mix balance	Pitch accuracy	Genre adherence
Lyric quality	Sound clarity	Natural pronunciation	Mood delivery
Song structure	Instrument quality	Voice stability	Style match
Chord progressions	EQ/Compression	Emotional delivery	Energy level match
Hook strength	Stereo placement	Genre authenticity	Tempo accuracy
Musical flow	Effects usage	Dynamic range	Requested elements
Arrangement	Volume balance	Articulation	Instrumentation match
Theme/concept	Production polish	Timing/rhythm	Overall vision

My prompt engineering process:

Before diving into the testing, I utilized Perplexity Pro to craft precise prompts.

This methodical approach ensures more accurate and genre-specific outputs from Suno v4.

The prompting process:

1. Start with Perplexity Pro
2. Input genre-specific request (e.g., “I want to create a Nu Metal song on Suno”)
3. Ask for descriptive words covering: Genre characteristics, mood elements, stylistic features

This systematic approach to prompt creation helps avoid generic outputs and ensures the AI better understands your musical vision. For those interested in more advanced prompt engineering techniques, you might want to check out my guide on “crafting perfect prompts for AI music generation”.

The result of this preparation process led to the detailed prompt used in Test 2: “Nu metal with heavy downtuned guitars, aggressive drums, Dark & intense with raw energy, Heavy distortion, thick bass, electronic elements”

Suno v4 vs Suno v3.5 comparison:

I put both versions through 2 specific tests using carefully crafted prompts generated through Perplexity Pro. Each test focused on different genres to assess versatility and consistency:

Test 1: Generating a country song with vocals.

Prompt used:
“Modern country with acoustic guitars, pedal steel, clear vocals, Heartfelt & nostalgic with warm and sincere delivery, Clean, Nashville sound”

Suno v3.5 Country Output:

Grades	Details
Songwriting (6/10)	Generic, formulaic approach, cookie-cutter song structure, limited melodic variety
Music Production (7/10)	A bare-bones production that gets the job done without any bells and whistles. The mix sticks to basic techniques and standard processing – nothing fancy, just the essentials.
Vocal Performance (5/10)	Noticeable vocal artifacts
Prompt Accuracy (9/10)	Adequate incorporation of requested country elements
Total score: 27/40

Suno v4 Country Output:

Grades	Details
Songwriting (9/10)	Sophisticated guitar work in intro, dynamic arrangement with unexpected edges, strong verse-chorus development, non-generic composition style
Music Production (8/10)	Clean production, natural-sounding vocal melodies
Vocal Performance (8/10)	Clean, almost artifact-free vocal delivery
Prompt Accuracy (9/10)	Successfully captured modern Nashville sound with all requested elements
Total Score: 34/40

Test 2: Generating a Nu Metal track (Instrumental)

Prompt used:
“Nu metal with heavy downtuned guitars, aggressive drums, Dark & intense with raw energy, Heavy distortion, thick bass, electronic elements”

Suno v3.5 Nu metal track:

Grades	Details
Songwriting (7/10)	Maintains the genre’s signature groove and punchy dynamics. The sound stays true to nu metal’s rhythmic core.
Music Production (7/10)	The production is polished and professional, but the heavily compressed mix flattens the dynamics, robbing the sound of its potential impact.
Prompt Accuracy (9/10)	The AI-generated result closely matches the requested specifications, successfully incorporating electronic elements into its nu metal framework.
Total Score: 23/30

Suno v4 Nu Metal track:

Grades	Details
Songwriting (7/10)	A serviceable nu metal riff that checks all the boxes but brings nothing new to the table – it’s the kind of groove you’ve heard a thousand times before in the genre.
Music Production (8/10)	Clear mix with excellent balance and professional polish, though slightly over-processed.
Prompt Accuracy (8/10)	Notable absence of requested electronic elements
Total score: 23/30

Key Takeaways

1. Vocal Quality: v4 shows significant improvement in vocal clarity and naturalness
2. Genre Handling: Performance varies by genre, likely due to training data differences
3. Production Value: While both versions deliver good quality, suno v4 edges out with more sophisticated arrangements

The improvements in vocal clarity, arrangement sophistication, and overall production quality are undeniable. This latest version builds on their commitment to making music creation accessible while maintaining quality. If you’re interested in exploring more AI music tools, including alternatives to the Suno AI Song Generator and those that help create compelling music videos, you might want to check out my AI music tool database with 50+ tools

Remember, while these tools make creation easier, they’re best used as a foundation for your unique artistic expression. The future of music creation is here, and it’s both exciting and slightly surreal.

Want to try Suno v4? Access is available through their Pro plan, which includes commercial licensing for your creations.