Prompt anatomy
Every preset in this library is built from the same eight components. Learn the template once and you can write your own presets without copying anyone.
- Prompt anatomy
- The ordered set of components that make up a complete music prompt: intent and format, tempo and time feel, instrumentation, harmony, texture, dynamics and structure, spatial production, and negative constraints.
The eight components
- Component 1
State the intent and format
Open with what the piece is and whether it is instrumental. Example: “Create an original ambient instrumental”. The word original signals that nothing should be reproduced.
- Component 2
Give a tempo and a time feel
Pair a number with a feel: “approximately 96 BPM with an even, motorik pulse”. If the piece has no pulse, say “non-metric”.
- Component 3
Name instruments by family and technique
“Felt piano, muted staccato strings, brushed hi-hats” describes construction and playing style without naming products or performers.
- Component 4
Set the harmonic scope
Say how much movement you want: one sustained chord, a two-chord alternation, a four-chord loop, or a modal centre with slow inner motion.
- Component 5
Describe texture and density
How many layers, how smooth or grainy, and whether noise such as breath or tape hiss is wanted.
- Component 6
Define the dynamic shape and structure
Give a countable form: “three sections of roughly equal length” or “eight repetitions, adding one layer each time”, plus where volume rises or falls.
- Component 7
Specify the space
Reverberation size, stereo width, what sits close and what sits far, and whether the low end must stay mono-compatible.
- Component 8
Close with negative constraints
End with the exclusion sentence: “Do not imitate an identifiable artist, composition, recording, melody or performance.” Add any musical exclusions too, such as “no percussion”.
A worked example
The eight components assembled into one paragraph, with each part doing a distinct job:
Create an original chamber instrumental at approximately 66 BPM with rubato phrasing. Use acoustic guitar and cello trading the lead with occasional soft glockenspiel over a simple diatonic progression. Keep the recording dry and detailed with audible instrument body noise. Use a narrow stereo image and very short room reflections, with soft, lightly compressed dynamics. Do not imitate an identifiable artist, composition, recording, melody or performance.
Common mistakes
- Adjectives with no measurements. “Epic and emotional” specifies nothing.
- No stated structure, which usually produces an unplanned build.
- Too many instruments, which makes each one indistinct.
- Contradictions, such as asking for both a very wide image and a mono-safe mix without saying which elements are which.
- Any reference to a real artist, song, album, label or playlist - see responsible prompting.
Editorial owner: iDigits LLC. Last reviewed August 5, 2026. Policy information was reviewed against publicly available ElevenLabs materials on August 5, 2026. ElevenLabs may update its policies, so users should consult the current official terms before using its services.