Want to make your own AI-generated songs that will blow your audience away? Look no further! In this easy-to-follow guide, I’ll walk you through every step of using Udio to create tracks that perfectly fit your style & content.
Whether you’re into 80s vibes or any other genre, Udio’s got you covered. You’ll learn how to come up with prompts that tell the AI what kind of music you want. Then, I’ll show you how to remix and extend your tracks to make them even better.
And the best part? You can customize everything to your liking , so your song turns out exactly how you imagined it.
So, let’s get started and see how Udio can help you use AI to create music.
Table of Contents
What is Udio?
Udio craft emotionally captivating songs from simple text prompts in under a minute. Developed by former Google DeepMind engineers, this cutting-edge technology has garnered acclaim from industry luminaries like will.i.am, Common, and Instagram co-founder Mike Krieger.
What sets Udio apart is its remarkable ability to infuse synthetic vocals with authentic emotion. By providing a description of the desired genre, theme, lyrics, and inspirational artists, Udio’s AI generates a unique musical composition under 1 minute, which can then be fine-tuned through additional prompts.
Key features:
✓ Text-to-music song generation
✓ Granular controls for experienced musicians
✓ Community-driven sharing and remixing capabilities
How does Udio work?
Users can create music by providing descriptions of their desired genre, theme, and style through three main options:
Custom Lyrics: Input your own lyrics (200-350 characters recommended)Instrumental: Generate music without vocalsAuto-generated: Let the AI create both music and lyrics
Pricing plans:
Feature Free Standard Pro Price $0/month $10/month $30/month Monthly Credits 100 + 10/day 1,200 4,800 Processing Queue Standard Priority Priority Concurrent Generations 2 (4 tracks) 3 (6 tracks) 4 (8 tracks) Remix & Extend Features Yes Yes Yes Stem Downloads No Yes Yes Audio Upload No Yes Yes udio-130 2-min Model No Yes Yes Advanced Track Editing Basic Yes Yes Custom Cover Art No Yes Yes Daily Limit Yes No* No
*No daily limit applies to non-trial accounts only
3 reasons to choose Udio:
✓ Endorsed by top artists and innovators
✓ Emotional songs generated in under minute
How to create a song with Udio
💡Step 1 – Writing simple yet effective prompts
Once you’re on Udio
If you want to keep your AI music generation straightforward, use this simple but powerful prompt structure that focuses on three key elements:
💡 PROMPT: Create a [GENRE] track with elements of [SUBGENRE 1] and [SUBGENRE 2] about [TOPIC], Include [specific musical elements]
How to use this structure :
Choose your main genre
Select two subgenres that will blend together
Describe your topic or story
Here are 2 practical examples:
💡 PROMPT (genre + topic): Create a [hip hop] track with elements of [Metalcore] and [Rap Metal] about [someone going to a new country and having to find their way around. The struggle of making connections and fitting in.]
💡 PROMPT (genre + topic + musical elements): Create a [blues rock track] with elements of [soul] and [pop] about [finding yourself on a summer evening]. Include [smooth electric guitar solos, warm female vocals and mellow grooves. Add reverb-soaked guitar riff]
This straightforward approach allows you to quickly generate music while maintaining creative control over the genre fusion and lyrical direction.
Function: Manual mode
By choosing manual mode, you bypass Udio’s default prompt rewriting system, which automatically modifies your input. Manual mode is a better option if you have a clear idea of what you want and don’t wish for your prompt to be altered without your control.
Choose manual mode if you’d like the output to 100% match your prompt.
💡 Step 2 – Choose between Lyrics, Instrumental or Auto-generated
Write Lyrics: start with 200-350 characters to generate a 30-second clip and then extend your track. If you need help writing your lyrics, use Claude ChatGPT
Instrumental:
Auto-generated: Select this option if you’d like vocals included but don’t have any specific requirements for lyrics. The AI will generate the lyrics for you, making it an ideal choice when you want to quickly and easily create a complete song with vocals.
💡 Step 3 – Extend or remix your song to create a full-length track
What’s next after generating your first 30-second clip? Navigate to “My Creations” and check out the 2 songs Udio generated. Once you like a clip? Continue working on it by choosing one of the following two options.
Option 1 – Remix your song :Don’t like the output that the prompt generated and you’d like to change it?
Navigate to “My Creations” and click on “Remix”
Here you will find various options:
Here’s a quick guide to using Udio’s remix feature:
Adapt your prompt: If you’re not entirely satisfied with the generated output, feel free to modify the prompt by removing or adding keywords that better align with your vision, and then remix the track to create a new version.Select your remix region using the waveform display – adjust the yellow highlighted area to choose which part of the track you want to remixAdjust the variance slider under Remix Settings to control how different your remix will be from the originalChoose your lyrics option: Write custom lyrics, use auto-generated ones, or create an instrumental versionClick “Remix” in the top right to generate your new track
💡 Bonus tip – Use the lyric editor to adapt your lyrics:
If the lyrics don’t quite fit or need minor adjustments to better match the track’s rhythm, utilize the custom lyrics field to make the necessary changes and ensure a seamless flow between the words and the music.
Option 2 – Extend your song To extend your initial 30-second track, use the “Extend” feature.
Once you’ve clicked on it? You’ll see the following interface.
Let’s take a look at understanding extension placement and what they mean.
← Add Intro:
Why use it: Adding an intro can set the mood, establish the 80s vibe, and create anticipation for the main song.How to use it: Click the “Add Intro” button at the beginning of your track to generate an introduction section.Example and benefit: Generate a synth-heavy, atmospheric intro that gradually builds up to the first verse. This can help draw listeners in and create a sense of nostalgia from the very start.
← Add Section (before current point):
Why use it: Inserting a new section before the current point can help develop the song’s narrative or introduce a new musical idea.How to use it: Place your cursor at the desired point in the song and click the “Add Section” button to the left of the cursor.Example and benefit: Insert a pre-chorus section before the main chorus to build anticipation and create a stronger impact when the chorus hits. This can make your 80s-inspired track more dynamic and engaging.
→ Add Section (after current point):
Why use it: Adding a new section after the current point can help extend the song, introduce a contrasting theme, or create a bridge between sections.How to use it: Place your cursor at the desired point in the song and click the “Add Section” button to the right of the cursor.Example and benefit: Add an instrumental break or a guitar solo after the second chorus to showcase the 80s-style instrumentation and give listeners a chance to revel in the nostalgia.
→ Add Outro:
Why use it: An outro can provide a satisfying conclusion to your 80s-inspired track, leaving listeners with a lasting impression.How to use it: Click the “Add Outro” button at the end of your track to generate an ending section.Example and benefit: Generate an outro that gradually fades out, featuring a memorable melodic or lyrical hook from the song. This can create a sense of closure and leave listeners with a final burst of 80s nostalgia.
The following five prompts will assist you in expanding your song beyond the standard generated length as you progress through the creative process. You can use these inside the “Custom lyrics” field to create your dream 80s track.
Prompt 1 – Add a voicemail sound to Udio (00:00 – 00:08)
Do you like the beginning of the track? 80s tracks like “We built this city” by xxx used radio sounds and spoken snippets to evoke a certain atmosphere.
Prompt:
[Voicemail]
[Spoken voice, female]
[Enter spoken message e.g. Hey, uh, I just wanted to say I really enjoyed last Friday
[End of message]
Prompt 2 – Make people crave for your Chorus (00:49 – 01:14)
↳ 80s tracks famously build momentum.
↳ Prompt: [Pre-Chorus]
Prompt 3 – No 80s track without a killer guitar solo (01:45 – 02:02)
↳ Duh, every 80s track needs a killer solo.
↳ Prompt: [Insane guitar solo]
Prompt 4 – Add a cool interlude (02:40 – 02:58)
↳ An interlude is a short, transitional musical section.
↳ Prompt: [Interlude]
↳ If you’d like no vocals, use: [Instrumental]
Prompt 5 – Conclude the song with a great Outro (03:56 – 04:29)
Every track needs a great ending. Use an Outro inside your track to make the ending memorable and want to make people listen to the track all over again.
↳ Prompt: [Outro]
See how these 5 prompts were used in a song here “The I Don’t Knows” .
Bonus 1: 3 tips on how to use Udio’s Crop and extend function
With the “crop and extend” function you can highlight a section of the song to crop and extend from.
This will create a new song starting with the highlighted section. The original song will not be affected by this.
💡 Tip 1: Focusing on the Chorus: If you have a song with a particularly catchy or memorable chorus, you can use the “crop and extend” function to highlight that section and create a new track that emphasizes the chorus. This can be helpful when you want to create a radio edit or a shorter version of the song that gets straight to the hook. By extending the chorus section, you can make it the centerpiece of the new track, ensuring that listeners are immediately drawn in by the most impactful part of the song.
💡 Tip 2: Experimenting with Intros & Outros: The “crop and extend” function can be a valuable tool for experimenting with different intros and outros for your 80s-inspired track. If you have a song with a strong instrumental section, you can highlight that part and extend it to create a longer, more atmospheric intro or outro.
This can help set the mood for the song and give listeners a chance to immerse themselves in the 80s vibe before the vocals kick in. By playing around with different sections of the song, you can find the perfect intro or outro that complements the overall composition.
💡 Tip 3: Creating remixes and alternate versions: With the “crop and extend” feature, you can easily create remixes and alternate versions of your 80s track. By highlighting specific sections of the song, such as a verse or a bridge, you can create a new track that focuses on those elements.
This can be particularly useful if you want to showcase a different aspect of the song or create a version that caters to a specific audience. For example, you could create a dance remix by extending the instrumental breaks and adding new beats, or you could create an acoustic version by cropping the song to focus on the vocals and stripped-down instrumentation.
The possibilities are endless, and the “crop and extend” function makes it easy to experiment and create unique variations of your 80s-inspired track.
Bonus 2: 3 best practices for using tags inside Udio’s custom lyrics
Udio’s lyric tips offer a powerful way to create custom lyrics that fit your 80s-inspired track perfectly.
#1: By using tags like [Verse], [Bridge], and [Chorus], you can structure your lyrics and maintain control over the song’s arrangement.
#2: Adding [Drop], [guitar solo], or [sax solo] tags can introduce exciting instrumental elements that enhance the 80s vibe. If the AI mispronounces a word, split it into easier phonemes for clarity.
#3: Aim for 200-350 characters and 6 lines for a 30-second clip, adjusting for tempo, to ensure your lyrics are concise yet impactful.
Read this if you’d like to create a relatable song with Udio. ↓
To make a track that really hits home with your audience, you need to tell a story that people can relate to. When you use lyrics and sounds that feel genuine, it helps listeners connect with the emotions in your song.
For example, think about a song like “Lost Love” that captures the excitement and nervousness of going on a first date. By tapping into those feelings and experiences that we’ve all been through, the song creates a powerful emotional response.
So, when you’re creating your own track, try to tell a story that evokes real emotions. Whether it’s the butterflies of a first crush or the heartbreak of a breakup, using storytelling in your music will help people feel a deep connection to your song.
Why is the song “Lost Love” by The I Don’t Knows so special?
The track:
The lyrics :
[Voicemail]
[Spoken voice, female]
(Hey, uh, I just wanted to say I really enjoyed last Friday
I had a lot of fun. Let’s do it again sometime.)
[End of message]
[Instrumental]
[Interlude]
[Verse]
Driving off into the sunset,
Head back on the headrest,
I just want to live my life with you
Baby we’re not perfect
I know you’re just worth it
I don’t want you to leave so soon.
[Instrumental]
[Pre-chorus]
Let’s run away together,
we’ll always have eachother
I want you to reconsider,
what we can go through
I just want to be together,
I won’t be without you.
[Chorus]
I still remember our first date,
It was that Friday back in ’88
We went to see Moonstruck with a kinda cute Nic Cage
I want to live that night again
Maybe we can still be friends
But baby I’m still in love with you
[Insane guitar solo]
[Refrain]
The fun we had, the memories we made. I don’t ever want this feeling to fade.
[Verse 2]
You just wanted to think things through, I just wanted to be with you.
Thinkin back to our first fight, and how we made up that night.
Baby I know we’re not perfect, but I can be a little imperfect with you.
[Interlude]
[Instrumental]
[Pre-chorus]
Let’s run away together,
we’ll always have eachother
I want you to reconsider,
what we can go through
I just want to be together,
I won’t be without you.
[Chorus]
I still remember our first date,
It was that Friday back in ’88
We went to see Moonstruck with a kinda cute Nic Cage
I want to live that night again
Maybe we can still be friends
But baby I’m still in love with you
[Outro]
I know we’re not perfect
But baby you’re so worth it
I know I’ll see you soon.
The lyrics just WORK. Here’s why they are so authentic:
Take, for example, the line “It was that Friday back in ’88. We went to see Moonstruck with a kinda cute Nic Cage.” This lyric is highly relatable because it references a specific moment in time, a popular movie, and a well-known actor. By including these details, the song creates a connection with the listener, making them feel as if they were part of that experience.
In the 1980s, answering machines became increasingly popular, especially after the breakup of AT&T in 1984, which made these devices more affordable. Tandy (Radio Shack) sold the first post-breakup device under the trade name DuoPhone, and annual sales reached one million units in the US. This widespread adoption of answering machines allowed people to leave personal messages, which has become a powerful storytelling element in music.
For example, the track “Lost Love” begins with an authentic voicemail: “Hey, uh, I just wanted to say I really enjoyed last Friday I had a lot of fun. Let’s do it again sometime.” The excitement and joy conveyed in the message draw the listener into the story, evoking a sense of nostalgia and relatability. By incorporating such authentic voicemails, artists can create a strong emotional connection with their audience and effectively convey the essence of their storytelling.
When a song hits a nerve and captures people’s attention, it has the potential to be streamed millions of times. However, to build a lasting fandom, it’s crucial to put a face to the song. By associating the track with an artist or a persona, you create a deeper connection with your audience, making them more likely to follow your journey and support your future endeavors.
