Let’s Make Your Music 2.5 – Ver.2

Last time, I wrote a blog post about making music with MiniMax Music 2.0 — Let’s Make Your Music. Now that MiniMax Music has been updated to Music 2.5, I’d like to revisit the topic and share what I’ve learned so far. At first glance, Music 2.5 doesn’t seem dramatically different. The interface feels familiar, and the basic workflow hasn’t changed much. But after spending time experimenting with it, I realized something important: Music 2.5 listens more carefully to the Lyrics section than I expected. In fact, the Lyrics field isn’t just for words anymore — it behaves more like a structural control panel. 1. Tags — What Actually Works (1) [Inst] Finally, I understood how to use it. If you put tempo or instrument instructions inside parentheses, it really influences the music. If you don’t wrap instructions in ( ), the model may treat it as lyrics and start singing. Yes — it actually sings. (2) [Interlude] Works as a section marker for instrumental breaks. Timing control is still unstable. However, placing it between sections increases the chance of getting instrumental space. Adding instruments inside ( ) sometimes works surprisingly well. (3) [Solo] I expected it to force a solo section (male vocal / instrument etc.) Results are inconsistent. Works better when placed right before an [Interlude]. Unexpectedly, it sometimes creates duet-style interactions. 2. Reference Song Use a single base lyric: Carry Me Into the Light [Verse 1] In the darkest hour, a small light glows Softly finding me where the cold wind blows When my shoulders shake, when my faith feels thin Your holy name is whispering within [Interlude] (instrumental, no words) (soft piano + warm pads) (gentle reverb tail) [Verse 2] Cracked in my daydreams, dry in my throat Still the same blue sky keeps my hope afloat Mercy like rain falls quiet and clean Washing the shadow from everything [Interlude] (instrumental, no words) (strings swell lightly) (slow cymbal shimmer) [Chorus] Lord, please lead me All the way to the end Through the nights of weeping You are with me then Lord, please keep me Hold this prayer I send Carry me into the light Carry me into the light [Interlude] (instrumental, no words) (piano melody only) (no vocals) [Inst] (bells ringing) [Bridge] All I have lost, all I let go I gather as prayer, let it heal and grow Even my weakness becomes a song A blessing that pulls me tomorrow-ward on [Interlude] (instrumental, no words) (rising choir pads (ahh only)) (no lyrics) [Final Chorus] Lord, please lead me All the way to the end Through the nights of weeping You are with me then Lord, please keep me Hold this prayer I send Carry me into the light Carry me into the light [Outro] (instrumental, no words) (piano + pads fade out) (long reverb fade) [Interlude] (instrumental, no words) (short stubs) (no lyrics) Cyberpunk worship ambient, 78 bpm, club ready , 128 bpm, house with shatta piano, warm hall reverb, lyrical melody, gentle dynamics, no drums Anime Opening Anime Opening Theme, J-Pop, Fast Tempo, Female Vocals, Energetic, Orchestral Hit, Synthesizer Lead, Catchy Hook, Heroic, Optimistic Experimental Experimental, Avant-Garde, Glitch, Dissonant, Complex Rhythms, Chaotic Structure, Ethereal Vocals, Orchestral Hits, Electronic Noise worship modern worship rock, 84 bpm, clean delay guitars, big chorus, live drums, warm bass, airy pads, hall reverb gabber gabber, 190 bpm, distorted kick, hoover stabs, industrial rave, warehouse energy, no vocals classical classical, orchestral, 72 bpm, strings + piano, warm hall reverb, lyrical melody, gentle dynamics, no drums, no vocals Control BPM and Structure from the Lyrics Section You can control BPM and other musical parameters directly from the Lyrics section. By placing [Inst] at the very beginning of the Lyrics field and adding more detailed instructions there than in the main prompt, you can create more depth and structure in the track. Prompt: Progressive house, club ready , 128 bpm, house with shatta piano, warm hall reverb, lyrical melody, gentle dynamics, no drums Lyrics: [Inst] (worship ambient, 78 bpm, piano and pads, no drums) [Verse 1] In the darkest hour, a small light glows Softly finding me where the cold wind blows When my shoulders shake, when my faith feels thin Your holy name is whispering within [Interlude] (instrumental, no words) (soft piano + warm pads) (gentle reverb tail) .... Long Instrumentals (2 Minutes or More) I still haven’t managed to create a truly long instrumental track (over two minutes). I tried many variations, but it didn’t work consistently. Ironically, adding lyrics makes it much easier. If you want to extend the duration, try using humming or vocal pads to stretch the section. Summary My current approach is: - Keep the main prompt simple and foundational - Use [Inst] in the Lyrics section for detailed, practical control - Accept that adding lyrics (or vocal-like parts) makes it easier to extend the duration With that setup, I don’t feel the sound is “thin” at all — it can actually get surprisingly full and rich. Honestly, the audio quality is in a really good place right now, so I hope you’ll try making a track too. See you — Let’s make your music.