VOCALOID

Hm sorry, but I discovered VOCALOID 2 weeks ago and I don't know really what is it.

Is that just in english and japanese ? How can I have it ?

Thanks for answer

Ouch. Coming on this board without knowing what Vocaloid is is close to blasphemy. (Just kidding ;) )


Basically, Vocaloid is a singing synthetiser software. Yep, a software, able to generate singing, based on lyrics and melody.

There have been many versions of the Vocaloid program, each using a "human" name to call them: the most popular at this time seems to be (by date of release) Meiko, Kaito, Hatsune Miku, Kagamine Rin & Len, and Megurine Luka. Each one has its own avatar, an anime-like character: you can see them in the actual top banner of the forum. ;)

[Edit] Eventually found a somewhat good family portrait, including it here for reference:

Luka - Len - Rin - Miku - Meiko - Kaito
(art by amino)

Hatsune Miku (by far the most popular nowadays) was the first Vocaloid from the second serie, Vocaloid 2, released on August 31st 2007. Nico Nico Douga, which can be called the Japanese Youtube (our rivals? xP), seems to be the most responsible for her success: soon after the release, its user started to upload many songs created using Vocaloid. Months later, she (*sigh*) was getting really popular thanks to the community that formed up around the Vocaloid programs.

Nowadays, it appears that this community has become enormous. No, giganormous: songs composers, writers, animations (PV) makers, illustrators, singers, mixers, fans... all grouped around Vocaloids.
Thanks to this community, each Vocaloid has developed his own image (personality), and now they are more referred to as singers/characters rather than programs.
Their success have crossed the bounds of the Internet: Miku has now her own video game (Project Diva, on PSP), you can find many products about them: CDs, shirts, figurines...

Most of the Vocaloids are first aimed at singing in Japanese (notably in the J-pop style), but some of them are intended to sing in English (like Leon, Myriam... but they are not much popular, since they don't have a strong established character image). Luka is also able to sing in English.

About how to get the program... no, sorry, it's not free. Vocaloid (1 & 2) software engine have been developed by Yamaha. The Character Vocal Series (Miku, Rin/Len, and Luka) is based on Yamaha's Vocaloid2 engine, and has been developed, released and is sold by Crypton Future Media.



I think we can say that us, the YT Chorus community, are part of this giant community, as fans/dubbers (hum, don't forget the few drawers we have onboard ;-) ). Many, many of the fandubs/covers done here are related to Vocaloids' songs, and it seems everyone here love them. :)


Since you're here, you MUST have heard some Vocaloids' songs, even if you didn't know about it. :)
But let me recommend you to watch this video: 初音ミク －Project DIVA－　バーチャルライブ. This is a preview for the game Project Diva, containing parts of three (in my opinion) very emblematic Miku's songs. Hopefully it is a very good way to introduce someone to Vocaloids' style.

I also recommend you the Vocaloid Wikia, which is fuuuull of information, if you want to know more:
http://vocaloid.wikia.com/wiki/Vocaloid



I found it quite hard to make a short summary introducing Vocaloid... there's so much to say about them, and I'm sure I haven't seen 10 percent of everything about them... please forgive me if I forgot something obvious, or just point it so that I can add it. ;)
(ouch, didn't intend to write so much)


(Désolé, mais les infos en français ne sont pas légions. C'est surtout un phénomène japonais/international, alors... mais c'est aussi ce qui fait leur charme. ;) )



Vocaloids Rules!!! :D

You're welcome, Elianti. Feel free to share. ;)

I have to admit it, it took much more time than I expected... but that's for the sake of Vocaloids, so I don't care. :)

[Edit] Now that I re-read the whole thing, it appears it's too shorted... Vocaloid is basically the engine, and our lovely characters are built on top of that. I should rework this later.

Don't worry Elianti and Thank you, I understood all :D Mhh.. I wish I had VOCALOID..

And yeah of course, I listened many songs of VOCALOID. I was surprised the first time, because I don't know Vocaloid at this moment. ("Oo I though "Waaaa it's perfect ><")

Thank you Akuawind !

Mais de rien, My pleasure. ;)