Under construction.
~Lappye.
Friday, August 05, 2011
What is Vocaloid?
First, I need to explain what is Vocaloid, and I'll use the info. available at Wikipedie to do so. And then, I will talk about the one responsible for Vocaloid's success and the so-called world's virtual diva, Hatsune Miku.
Vocaloid is a singing synthesizer application, with its signal processing part developed through a joint research project between the Pompeu Fabra University in Spain and Yamaha Corporation, who backed the development financially—and later developed the software into the commercial product "Vocaloid". The software enables users to synthesize singing by typing in lyrics and melody. It uses synthesizing technology with specially recorded vocals of voice actors or singers. To create a song, the user must input the melody and lyrics. A piano roll type interface is used to input the melody and the lyrics can be entered on each note. The software can change the stress of the pronunciations, add effects such as vibrato, or change the dynamics and tone of the voice. Each Vocaloid is sold as "a singer in a box" designed to act as a replacement for an actual singer. The software is available in English and Japanese, although a Chinese version was produced for Sonika.
The software is intended for professional musicians as well as light computer music users and has so far sold on the idea that the only limits are the users' own skills. Japanese musical groups Livetune of Victor Entertainment and Supercell of Sony Music Entertainment Japan have released their songsfeaturing Vocaloid as vocals. Japanese record label Exit Tunes of Quake Inc. also has released compilation albums featuring Vocaloids. Artists such as Mike Oldfield have also used Vocaloids within their work for back-up singer vocals and sound samples.
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| Vocaloid Editor. |
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| Vocaloid2 Editor. |
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| Vocaloid3 Editor. |
What is the 'Hatsune Miku movement'?
Now that we know what Vocaloid is, I can talk about the 'responsible' for Vocaloid's success and the so-called world's virtual diva, Hatsune Miku.
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| Hatsune Miku |
"HATSUNE MIKU" is a computer music software that enables users to create synthesized singing of unprecedented quality and remarkable realism by just typing in lyrics and melody. Powered by YAMAHA's VOCALOID (= Vocal + Android) technology, HATSUNE MIKU was developed by Crypton Future Media in Sapporo, and released on August 31st, 2007. And since then, there have been more than 30,000 songs and movies about HATSUNE MIKU were posted in a popular Video sharing web site such as YouTube and Nico-Nico-Douga (Japan).
From this "music software" with cute voice and an illustration of cartoon girl on the cover, not only lots of CGM(Consumer Generated Media) music were created, but remarkable numbers of derivative illustrations and dedicated free software (including an amazing application tool to create 3D animation of HATSUNE MIKU, etc.) were also created. Then, as the recognition and popularity of HATSUNE MIKU grew, more other related activities such as launching news site and SNS site featuring MIKU or organizing events for MIKU fans are taking place.
HATSUNE MIKU is not merely a music software anymore. It's turned into a source of inspiration to create its derivative works. With the increase of those mash-up and remix works by HATSUNE MIKU lovers, Crypton Future Media has opened "PIAPRO" as a next step. PIAPRO is a CGM contents posting site for the creators to collaborate and exchange ideas with others. At PIAPRO, you'll be surprised to see all those talented works, but besides that, a CCJP official character are being seeked as one of collaboration projects, and also, creators are discussing vigorously and freely about copyright for the sake of better future goals of their works.
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