Vocaloid is a singing voice synthesizer which originally was not intended to be a full commercial project. Backed by the Yamaha Corporation, it 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.
Kagamine Rin & Len Kaai Yuki
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 record label Exit Tunes of Quake Inc. have released compilation albums featuring Vocaloids.
One of the most iconic software from Vocaloid is Hatsune Miku. Hatsune Miku is a Japanese developed humanoid persona voiced by the singing synthesizer application. She is portrayed to be a 16-year-old girl with long turquoise bunches, and has become very popular with fans all across the world. The name of the title and character for the software was chosen by combining Hatsu (初, first), Ne (音, sound), and Miku (ミク, future), thus meaning "the first sound from the future."
Hatsune Miku
Due to the popularity of Vocaloid and the many personas they have created for their software, there have been 'live concerts' of Vocaloids such as Hatsune Miku and Megurine Luka. These shows consist of 3D animations of these personas performing their songs being projected on a thin, transparent screen on stage; backed by a live band. Such shows primarily take place in Japan, but have also recently been in LA.
Hatsune Miku
Due to software such as Vocaloid and sibelius, people can create songs without even picking up an instrument. Development of technology and software such as these bring about the possibility of creating music of which appeals to quite a large audience and could generate a large income whether it's via sales of tracks or 'live shows', all with very little-if any- real-life performers.
Hatsune Miku & Megurine Luka
An interesting post, note the voyeuristic/ Lolita type images of the female performers...who are the audience for music videos such as this? Old men or teenage girls who want to model themselves on these animated kittenish performers?
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