Vocaloid

02.09.10 / anime / Author: admin / Comments: (0)
Tags: Vocaloid

Vocaloid cosplay is a singing synthesizer application developed by the Yamaha Corporation that enables users to synthesize singing by typing in lyrics and melody. It utilizes Yamaha’s Vocaloid 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”. The software is available in English and Japanese, although a Chinese version has now been produced for Sonika.

The software is intended for professional cosplay 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 group Supercell have featured Vocaloid as vocals in their songs, and record labels in Japan also have released compilation albums featuring Vocaloids.

Miku Hatsune, for example, is one of the most popular Vocaloids to date and is pictured as a young girl with long blue pigtails cosplay costumes. Prior to her release, the software was generally unknown. “Miku” is responsible for sparking the sudden popularity of Vocaloid software and songs. An introductory song and many other story-telling songs were released using the Miku Vocaloid.
After Miku, many other popular characters were released. Rin and Len Kagamine are one example. Sometimes portrayed as twins, and other times presented as unrelated girlfriend and boyfriend, the two characters are actually two parts of the same whole. The two originate from the same voice provider. Their released songs vary from light and humorous to dark and serious, and the harmony created by their shared voice provider has gained many fans for the two.

Vocaloids have their limits, of course, and they certainly won’t be replacing traditional music idols anytime soon. They are, however, an interesting new musical phenomenon with an undeniable following.