Vocaloid Thread

[AltruisticCrono]

What is the "HATSUNE MIKU movement"?: Link
Introduction Video (long, but helpful): Link

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Here's some starter songs that I'd suggest to any new listener. Easiest way is to "Add to Queue" and it'll be its own playlist while you listen and read this thread! You don't have to watch the video, but please listen to them all the way through.

First step is to get past the language and "chipmunk voice" barrier. Read any available lyrics to get a better understanding what it is about. If Miku doesn't create any interest, there are tons of other Vocaloids that might be within your range.

Y to Y: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTm6Q5Pj_Jo
Star Story: www.youtube.com/watch?v=saDnZ_PtgT8
Unfragment: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qs-v9o4SYtI
Far Away: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Bli2WbkoTs
Packaged: www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKJW-sFoFaQ

If you branch out into more songs and find ones you "like", let me know so that I can keep the strongest list for new listeners. ^.^

Note: Why are some only still pictures with lyrics and not the motion videos? I believe it would help different people get past any visual turn offs that traditional Miku moe' videos would contain for their first exposure to Vocaloid / Miku and some lyrics are very important. First Impressions!

[AltruisticCrono]

This has been a while coming since people may not understand or know the Hatsune movement. I recently explained to several people why this is a big thing for me at the moment and found this description on a figure review that was nearly exact to my spoken words.

"Hatsune Miku is a vocal digital idol, an almost entirely fabricated character, with a voice bank designed for songs by a real female idol's voice. It was digitized for this use, and marketed as a product for a free user-base. The true charm of Miku is the fact that she can be whatever you wish her to be - she is nothing more than what you wish to make her out to be.

This clean slate is one of the greatest marketing ideas in the last five years, perhaps even longer. Miku presents herself as the ultimate virtual idol, and her presence is one of what many 'otaku' would call the purest girl. We can see the vast potential of the character, and one not to be overlooked as a mere 'fad'. If we take into account the enormous fame of Miku, it is mostly due to the element previously described, but the talent of those behind the music and promotions of Miku are also responsible for the rocket to stardom.

Miku's typical persona is one of a bright and bubbly disposition. She radiates one of a loving and sweet nature, one probably typical of most anime girls, but Miku's personality has been much more well-received due to the fact that she is a character to be sculpted to the user's best interests. But given the ability to make her what they wish leads most to use her as the 'typical' vein. The largest difference being that many will pair the character up with who they see fit in the rest of the Vocaverse. This has never been laid out in stone (as previously mentioned, Miku is not a set character, other than her voice and look), and many people take her in a matter of various different ways.

It is this nature which I myself have become enamoured by."
Source: myfigurecollection.net/review/208

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It's the massive talent, discussion, and distribution of Vocaloid content that has produced over 100,000 songs, an OVA, and new communities in only 3 years. Surpassing race, religion, language, and borders, she changes a little part of our world every day.

Tripshot's Nebula PV:

Synthesis Album PV:

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This link shows the work done throughout the concerts and how some looked in comparison to others. I don't understand why people describe it as being holographic all the time... its projected onto a clear screen.


Animelo is the largest annual anime music concert performed with live divas/bands.


Since we watched the Black★Rock Shooter OVA, this is an appropriate time to show it. Such a MASSIVE crowd enjoying the song! Watch in full screen to get the full idea how many people were there.


I've known about about the "Miku"verse for probably a year after its release (2008) and had every now and then mentions from Red Wolf about it. It was when I watched the Giving Day 2010 concert initially meant to give to him that this all started.

And then I watched this on November 5th, 2010, and haven't been the same.

[Seority]

For "Last Night, Good Night" I'm in love with Mikuo's more then Miku's, but both are very touching.
My favorite Miku song is Packaged:


I first saw Miku from a popular wallpaper site, and looked her up. (She looked surprisingly similar to a character I made myself in PSU.) I saw the videos of her songs/MMDs made by professionals and fans, and I was just blown away. The games and concerts only made my obsession worsen.



Even though I don't believe everyone is to be a hard-core Miku/Vocaloids fan, there is a little something there for everyone to love. I do hope more Vocaloids come over seas in the near future, and that the Miku fever will spread rapidly so the whole world can hear her breath-taking melodies!

[AltruisticCrono]

Along with the fantastic artworks and beautiful motion, I still adore the chibi/outlandish editions just having fun.

[Monochrome Rainbow]

I vote that Crono should get a Miku tatoo on his back...

[AltruisticCrono]

Mar 4, 2011 19:07:30 GMT -5 Monochrome Rainbow said:

I vote that Crono should get a Miku tatoo on his back...

To be honest, the red "01" on the left arm has passed through my mind. Aaaaaand it just so happens Waffle King might be doing that for a career. If he's still doing it if/when I decide, he might be the one to do the ink. BAM!

[AltruisticCrono]

Here's a list of 100 known Mikus (from PVs) out there. Just sooo many to pick from huh? ;D

[Seority]

Toadally would get a 01 tat as well! (And I'd be even more authentic Miku cosplayer )
Doing more ca-ruse-ing on the Utubes, and ran into quite a few surprizing finds along with some influencing subject to study up on. (A lot of it is just my personal opinions with certain Vocaloids and Utau). ((Please forgive me for over-loading youtube links.))

First is a new impression on Vocaloids I once disliked. Kaito's voice was always to robotic and never appealed to me even in his original songs. I was able to stumble across one that made me intrigued to reconcider, if only in a small way. His voice was distorted a bit to sound a bit "creepier" but it's amusing to listen to and I think he pulls it off well. It's about a blind maiden who falls in love with a "blue ogre" who loves her back but does not want her to found out who he is.


Another Vocaloid I've had trouble liking was Luka. Odd right? I loved her in Magnet with Miku, but from what I heard of her alone I never really enjoyed. That was until I found this little number that I'm quite obsessed about now. The song is catchy, the art is wonderful and the story is quite interesting. Check it out yourself!


Something I've slightly known of, but beginning to fully appreciate now is how most of the official songs of the Vocaloids all tell a story of some sort which is awesome. (Also a nice change instead of listening to Country for these kind of things.) I stumbled across this cute story of Gakupo (non-official Vocaloid) being like dracula and seducing the Vocaloid women, from Miku to Luka, to Meiko, and even Gumi. I do enjoy Gakupo's voice for the true male voice of the Vocaloids even if he isn't official (yet). It's deep but not stupidly like Akaito's*.
.
*Taste of Akaito... if you dare... (Taito is Kaito's "lighter" voice, cuz you know, he needed one... XP )


Also finally got to listen to some of Rin and Len's new Append versions, also known as their English or "deeper/dark" versions of their voices. So far, only Miku and Luka also have Append versions, and many people hope for more to come. Rin and Len Append seem to be good in a variety of techno to even an R&B mix of songs. I've also heard Rin work well in some of the heavier metal songs I've come across. Here's a little example for ya.




Now for the question you probably had. WTFUDGECAKESONTHEMOON are Utau's? Well they are computer voices just like Vocaloid, just made with another program. (No real difference aside from the name.) The few Utau's I've heard sound more realistic then some of the earlier Vocaloids in my opinion, but they are similar in so many ways that mistaking one for the other isn't a big offense. None of the Utau's are "official" but just fan made and distributed. Some people may argue otherwise, but I've seen so many collaborations with Vocaloids and Utau, and Utau singing Vocaloid songs, I don't see a point to discriminate. From what I've learned, however, I sort-of suspect Utauloids to more then likely be just trolls to the Vocaloid. I'll explain in a minute.
For the list of Utauloids (as far as I know) there is:
Kasane Teto (Ted for male counter part who sounds good.) - A slightly higher pitched Miku who is 26 years old, but loli in almost everyway. Also dresses just like Miku, pig-tails and all. (BTW this is titled "Stand! You are cool!" I believe.)

Yurika Sayu (Sai for male counter part.) - Always either drunk or depressed, Sayu has been called a Failloid since her voice is so robotic and monotone, but has been redeemed a bit from loving fans to have some sort of harmony. I still have yet to like her voice.

Yokune Roku - With the voice of what a lesbian tomboy who smoked all her life and was around 40 years of age, this apparently hermaphrodite is a mix of a male and female voice (mostly male but character is portraied to be female). He-she is also 6'5" and appealed to be the American Utauloid due to his-her height and red/white/blue color scheme. I can rarely stand this things voice but some... things that go on youtube really enjoy him-her, so take a look if you'd like, but don't be surprized when I told you so.

Momone Momo - The perfect robotic maid. She'll cook, clean, and even sing for you! Just don't mind if she starts to converse with the toaster... She has a very robotic voice (for very obvious reasons) which I concider cheating, but it's still cute to me. I could describe her as an in between Miku and Luka, so very sweet, but not super high.

Namine Ritsu - My favorite of the bunch simply because he is the ultimate troll. Yes, he is a cross dresser. Yes, he is six. And yes, he does weigh 25 tons. He has a very high pitched male voice, even higher then Len's. Why do I love him? I do for he is the ultimate Trolloid, even says so in his bio. (utau.wikia.com/wiki/Ritsu_Namine) He knows he's a robot, and he knows that he can cross dress because of his voice. Does he care what you think? No! He's 6 because he can be and will sing what he pleases. Don't worry about his D-cup there. Those are just missiles sticking out of him.




So that is my little collaboration that I decided to share with you all. I hope more things are to come as I fall ever deeper in love with these silly voice programs. (I kinda hope you do as well! )

[AltruisticCrono]

This week marked Miku and Crypton's first sponsored promotion in America and starts with a Toyota car commercial.




The importance behind this advertisement is to bring knowledge to the shores in anticipation for the English version of the Hatsune Vocaloid software. Small steps are very important, but I think the end result of the commercial is too obscure for non followers. I know Toyota itself wins in the end since the community fans will be discussing it, but I hope the vocal, negative comments will not deter further advertising plans/enhancements. They are a very dangerous thing and really made a big deal about 5bp's March concert that invoked an apology from CEO Chiyomaru Shikura. Mistakes were made, but it was a good concert overall and made improvements from 2010's. Personally, I will be buying the DVD to show my support the moment its available.

Back on topic, the "official car of Hatsune Miku" shouldn't just be black. A Miku sport package, artwork, software, video game, etc. would go a long way in this promotion. Otherwise, its only a Corolla.

The mass media in the past year has gone shore to shore in short news segments and magazine articles, typically missing the strongest aspects of what makes it so special and the creative people behind it. It was painful to read some of them condone its existence without revealing a positive point of view. But at the same time, fans leave harsh and brutal responses when consuming all media involving Vocaloid and discourage further coverage. Without contributing some effort on both sides, it alienates the overall appeal. I consider it to be "growing pains" since its still early in its promotion... not even 5 years old.

Global conquest is on the march and the world belongs to her! Video of the full song shown in the commercial:

[AltruisticCrono]

PSP intro video for the B★RS game. NIS will be localizing it for America, but no release date yet.

[Seority]

Hmmms~
Quite the interesting.
As for a commercial it was all 'meh' but it still could be promising.
I noticed they changed the look of Miku a tad, like the spliting pony tail instead of pigtails, but nothing to drastic it seems.

Guess I can't say much until it comes out, and as a die-hard Miku fan, I will buy it once I can understand how to play it! xD

[Seority]

Found some awesome winamp skins for us addicted brethren of the Hatsune religion!
Black Rock Shooter
Miku Hatsune

[AltruisticCrono]

Orders for a new Miku figma are on sale starting today. The original release is well over $100 to purchase and this also donates to the Japan Disaster Relief at the same time.

I'm ordering. If anyone else would like one, theres a limit of 5 per person. Donating AND getting Miku? What else could make your day any better?
cheerful-japan-global.ecq.sc/top/gcp113.html

[Seority]

Looks awesome! Who wouldn't want a cute pose-able Miku in their life?
Too bad it's almost double the price because of shipping.

[AltruisticCrono]

Not entirely Miku, but the Anime Expo was filled with Miku's presence. Wish I coulda been there.