---
title: How to generate AI songs with vocals, lyrics or instrumentals
description: Use Donatello Music in automatic song, custom-lyrics or instrumental mode, understand automatic duration, and write a useful musical direction.
canonical: https://donatello.studio/resources/generate-ai-songs-vocals-lyrics-instrumentals
published: 2026-08-26
modified: 2026-08-26
author: Donatello Editorial
---

# How to generate AI songs with vocals, lyrics or instrumentals

A musical direction describes sound; it is not automatically the words a singer should perform. Donatello Music separates creative direction, lyrics, vocal character and duration so the requested result is explicit.

> Key takeaway: Choose Song for vocals and Instrumental for music without lead singing. In Song mode, leave lyrics empty for automatic lyric writing or provide structured lyrics yourself. Automatic duration starts at about three minutes when no lyrics are supplied and follows lyric length when they are.

## The three useful starting points

The same short idea needs different instructions depending on whether you want a full song, exact words or no lead voice. Select the mode first, then write the direction for that mode.

| Goal | Mode | Lyrics field |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Complete song from a short idea | Song | Leave empty so Donatello plans the lyrics |
| Song using exact words | Song | Paste structured lyrics |
| Music without lead singing | Instrumental | Omitted automatically |

## Write a musical direction, not only a topic

A phrase such as ‘rap about Seville’ identifies topic and genre but leaves tempo, instrumentation, mood, vocal delivery and structure undefined. In an audio model, the word ‘about’ is not a reliable substitute for actual lyrics.

A stronger direction names the genre, pace, palette, emotional movement and performance. For example: ‘Andalusian hip-hop, 92 BPM, warm flamenco guitar, dry drums, confident Spanish male rap, celebratory verses and a melodic crowd chorus about walking through Seville at night.’

- Genre and subgenre
- Approximate energy or tempo
- Two to four defining instruments
- Vocal language, character and delivery
- Emotional arc and song structure
- Explicit exclusions only when they genuinely matter

- [Open Donatello Music](https://donatello.studio/ai-music-generator)

## Control the words with structured lyrics

If the exact message matters, provide the words. Section tags such as [Verse], [Pre-Chorus], [Chorus] and [Bridge] give the planner a clearer arrangement. Short lines usually sing more naturally than prose paragraphs.

When the lyrics field is empty in Song mode, Donatello's planning step expands the direction into a song plan and lyrics before audio generation. If that planning step is temporarily unavailable, the interface reports the failure rather than silently returning an instrumental as a completed vocal song.

- Keep each line performable in one breath.
- Repeat the chorus exactly when consistency matters.
- Spell unusual names the way they should be pronounced when necessary.
- Do not paste lyrics you are not allowed to use.

## How automatic duration works

With no supplied lyrics, automatic Song duration begins at approximately three minutes. With lyrics, Donatello estimates a suitable duration from their length and section structure. Instrumental mode lets the planning step choose a duration that fits the musical structure.

Manual duration is a direction rather than a frame-accurate contract: the selected music engine can end slightly earlier or later. The actual stored duration is shown when the track completes.

> A finished song currently costs 25 credits regardless of choosing vocal or instrumental mode. Check the generator before submitting because Product Facts and the interface take precedence if pricing changes.

## Commercial use and storage

The current Donatello Music production route permits lawful commercial and monetized output use under the Terms. That does not grant rights in copied lyrics, melodies, samples, artist identities or other protected inputs.

Download the completed audio before it reaches the 72-hour storage limit. Keep your musical direction, original lyrics and editing notes with important commercial projects.

## Sources and verification

- [Donatello Music](https://donatello.studio/ai-music-generator)
- [Current music facts](https://donatello.studio/product-facts)
- [Commercial-use and storage terms](https://donatello.studio/terms)

Current product conditions are maintained in [Donatello Product Facts](https://donatello.studio/product-facts). This resource is written for people first and is not legal advice.