Vocaloid is a singing voice synthesizer developed by a research project led by Kenmochi Hideki at Barcelona’s Pompeu Fabra University in 2000. The team later founded Vectro Labs. Yamaha Corporation funded the project developing the commercial software product, “Vocaloid”. Sony music Entertainment Japan’s Supercell and Toy’s Factory’s Livetune released their songs using Vocaloid vocals and Quake Inc.’s Exit Tunes released Vocaloid compilation albums. Vocaloid hit the mainstream when Crypton future Media’s Hatsune Miku Vocaloid 2 software was released.
Vocaloid Overview
The software allows users to synthesize singing by putting in lyrics and a melody. Vocaloid uses synthesizing technology which uses recorded vocals from singers and voice actors. Users make use of a piano roll interface to make a melody and then assign each lyric or syllable is assigned to each note. Different vocal effects such as tone of voice and vibrato can be applied to the voice. Each Vocaloid is designed to act as a replacement for a singer. Vocaloid was originally available in English with the first Vocaloids, Miriam, Lola and Leon and the Japanese Kaito and Meiko. Vocaloid 3 supports the Spanish Bruno, Maika and Clara Vocaloids, the Chinese Luo Tianyi and Yanhe and the Korean SeeU.