Vocaloid 4 Editor Announced!

[kennethnakasone]

http://www.vocaloid.com/news/products/20141120vocaloid4.html

 

VOCALOID refers to the singing voice synthesis software developed by Yamaha. The editor, combined with a set of voice samples called a Voicebank, allow users to manipulate a virtual singer.

 

For example, Hatsune Miku is one such voicebank.

 

 

In a Nico Nico Douga livestream earlier today, Yamaha announced of the latest version of their software, the Vocaloid 4 Editor. Those that purchased the previous version, Vocaloid 3 Editor, on or after October 10th, will be able to purchase the latest editor for a discounted price of 5400 yen. The price of the standalone editor has yet to be announced. More details will be coming from Yamaha.

 

Of the new features of the editor, two that were highlighted the most in the stream were the new "Cross-Synthesis" and "Growl" functions.

"Cross-Synthesis" is the ability to combine two voicebanks to create a "new" voicebank. Previously, voicebanks would be released in various styles. For example, a voicebank could be released with a "Natural" version, and a "Whisper" variant. As one would expect, the whisper version would have a softer voice, and would be suited for such songs. Cross synthesis would allow the user to take the attributes of both voicebanks and utilize them at the same time. In the previous example, one could use the soft (possibly a little airy) style of the Whisper voicebank, and gradually shift into the Natural voicebank's clearer style. 

 

"Growl", although still being adjusted according to the representative, is as it sounds; it allows the voicebank to sound as if it's "growling". Previously, this would have required the use of an additional external piece of software to achieve the same effect. Demonstrations used the function to make a voicebank suitable for a "Metal" style song, as well as using it lightly during high notes to make the voicebank sound as if it's overexerting (making it sound more "natural" according to comments).

 

Companies AH-Software, 1st Place, Internet Co., and Yamaha themselves have announced voicebanks for the new editor. PowerFX also sent a video message regarding the update to the Vocaloid platform.

AH-Software has announced that their Vocaloid 2 voicebanks would be renewed for the Vocaloid 4 Editor. This consists of new versions Hiyama Kiyoteru, Nekomura Iroha, SF-A2 Miki, and Kaai Yuki. Yuzuki Yukari, one of AH-Software's Vocaloid 3 voicebanks, has been confirmed as forwards compatible with the new editor, and also has a new voicebank variant called Yuzuki Yukari ON in development. Yuzuki Yukari, and her ON variant, were demoed using the Cross-Synthesis function.

 

According to the representative, the Yuzuki Yukari ON voicebank that was demoed was 20% complete.

 

1st Place has confirmed that their voicebank IA will also be forwards compatible with the new editor. IA has two variants; the original and her ROCKS version, which was also demoed using Cross-Synthesis.

 

Internet Co. has stated that their Vocaloid 3 voicebanks will be forwards compatible as well. 

 

In PowerFX's video message, a comparison between their english voicebank Sweet Ann and voice provider was played, possibly implying a Vocaloid 4 version of Sweet Ann's voicebank.

 

Yamaha demonstrated the new editor using an updated version of their VY1 voicebank, appropriately renamed VY1V4 (?).

 

They also announced that their Vocaloid 2 voicebank "Megurine Luka" would be renewed, called Luka V4X. In a chat with the provider of the voicebank, Asakawa Yuu, it was noted that the new voicebank required approximately 10 times the work required in the original Vocaloid 2 voicebank.

 

In a slide shown in the presentation, it was suggested that Yamaha's voicebanks MEIKO, KAITO, and Hatsune Miku would also receive Vocaloid 4 voicebanks.

 

The new editor itself is set for release in December.

 

I received a comment by song producer Kasane, who stated, "It's important, so I'll state it again! Yamaha...please give me a copy!".

 

....Yamaha, please give him a copy.

 

 

 

Now, for my opinion on the matter.

Yamaha is gradually moving things that required external software (as in beyond the editor itself) in order to achieve certain effects into the editor itself. This applies to timing lyrics, growl, etc. This is lowering the barrier of entry into Vocaloid usage, to say nothing of the increasing quality. 

 

In the bigger picture of things, Yamaha's speech synthesis in general is improving. I'm sure some people recall Yamaha's singing robot but...that was a little painful. Hopefully improvements on the "Singing Synthesis" side can be adapted to more general things as well (maybe Personal Assistant software in the future).

 

Yamaha's singing robot:

 

I look forward to the future of the VOCALOID platform.

 

EDIT:

Here is an example of a song using an english voicebank. The producer of the song is Crusher-P (the P stands for the P in producer), and the song is called ECHO. The voicebank used is GUMI English (in other words, the English variant of GUMI).

[Sidiox]

WTF is that girl on the cover of the box?!!!

 

Edit: what exactly now does this software do? Some kinda of virtual audio synthesis, so you don't need someone to actually "sing" for you or something?

[SpaceCore]

Can I get examples of where this software has been used? (or the previous one)

updated the op, k.

[HeathCliff]

WTF is that girl on the cover of the box?!!!

 

Edit: what exactly now does this software do? Some kinda of virtual audio synthesis, so you don't need someone to actually "sing" for you or something?

 

Can I get examples of where this software has been used? (or the previous one)

 

Simply put, Vocaloid is a software in which you can use Japanese syllables to string together to form words for which you can make songs. I bought a copy quite a while ago, but never made anything all that interesting.

 

 

Here's an example but of another character: http://youtu.be/RFf958rdfgY?t=42s

[Sidiox]

 

 

 

 

Simply put, Vocaloid is a software in which you can use Japanese syllables to string together to form words in which you can make songs. I bought a copy quite a while ago, but never made anything all that interesting.

 

 

Here's an example but of another character: http://youtu.be/RFf958rdfgY?t=42s

 

Ah thanks, that clears it up.

And maybe it is just this one you linked but it still does sound quite "computer made", if that makes sense. 

[TooManyErrors]

-Snip-

 

Its not just Japanese, they have English voicebanks as well.

 

 

Ah thanks, that clears it up.

And maybe it is just this one you linked but it still does sound quite "computer made", if that makes sense. 

 

Although I can't listen to the song right now, its probably just that song. The producers can tune Vocaloids to sound much more human.

[HeathCliff]

Its not just Japanese, they have English voicebanks as well.

 

My bad. I was attempting to give a brief overview of what the software is. Sidiox, as TooManyErrors has said, there's actually a wide variety of voicebanks that can be used for this software. There's quite a lot of love it or hate it relationship with people out there, but ultimately, that's something for the user to decide.

[Hatsune Miku 「 」]

PIAPRO STUDIO FOR LIFE!

<- Self Explanatory Profile Pic

[Sidiox]

Its not just Japanese, they have English voicebanks as well.

Would you happen to have a link to a song which is constructed with this software?

[HeathCliff]

Would you happen to have a link to a song which is constructed with this software?

 

Miku invaded letterman not too long ago. 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qA5pIpdQEr0

 

However, the English version still need A LOT of work compared to the Japaneses versions. Hopefully, more people with the native language will pick it up and start making more realistic songs.

 

PIAPRO STUDIO FOR LIFE!

<- Self Explanatory Profile Pic

 

Megurine Luka best girl

[DigitalHermit]

Git Hyped... I'll be waiting on DECO*27's works using this...

[TooManyErrors]

Would you happen to have a link to a song which is constructed with this software?

 

I can't give a direct link as I'm in school right now, but you can probably find something by searching "GUMI English."

 

GUMI is one of my favorite Vocaloids so its certainly nice to see that she has a good English voicebank as well.

[Sidiox]

 

Miku invaded letterman not too long ago. 

 

-snip-

 

However, the English version still need A LOT of work compared to the Japaneses versions. Hopefully, more people with the native language will pick it up and start making more realistic songs.

 

 

Megurine Luka best girl

 

 

Well I agree with you on that, it sounds like a bunch of random syllables thrown together, the Japanase song you linked sounded much better although it could still use some work. And maybe its just me but those 3d animated girls look quite bad, graphically that is

[HeathCliff]

And maybe its just me but those 3d animated girls look quite bad, graphically that is

 

*hurls random profanities*

[Sidiox]

*hurls random profanities*

Haha, well as I said maybe its just me. Anime style works in 2d anime, but for some reason it looks very off when using 3d for me, its probably the lack of tessellation and detail. 

 

 

I can't give a direct link as I'm in school right now, but you can probably find something by searching "GUMI English."

 

GUMI is one of my favorite Vocaloids so its certainly nice to see that she has a good English voicebank as well.

Ah thanks I found one, that that sounds weird, its almost speech, but there still are problems, but I am certainly impressed by those. 

[TooManyErrors]

Well I agree with you on that, it sounds like a bunch of random syllables thrown together, the Japanase song you linked sounded much better although it could still use some work. And maybe its just me but those 3d animated girls look quite bad, graphically that is

 

Yeah, Miku's English needs a lot of work, as she has a really heavy Japanese accent.

[qwertywarrior]

vocaloid seems to work perfectly when talks in japanese

but in english u can notice some japanese "sounds"

[Dietrichw]

Well I agree with you on that, it sounds like a bunch of random syllables thrown together, the Japanase song you linked sounded much better although it could still use some work. And maybe its just me but those 3d animated girls look quite bad, graphically that is

here is the best graphical version I've seen 

[ZeroBreaker]

English soundbank sounds better than when japanese singers sing in english (mostly).

 

Can't wait to download, mess with for 20 mins then uninstall like always

[Doobeedoo]

Just saw this earlier today and that some vocaloids like Megurine Luka will get new version.

[LAwLz]

Haha, well as I said maybe its just me. Anime style works in 2d anime, but for some reason it looks very off when using 3d for me, its probably the lack of tessellation and detail. 

[Hatsune Miku 「 」]

ALL HAIL NERU!!!

[Hatsune Miku 「 」]

here is the best graphical version I've seen 

Try NicoNico Douga 

[kuddlesworth9419]

I do actually like some vocalroid stuff. But most of it is Miku.

[kuddlesworth9419]

1294599263819.jpg

That is awesome.