My Favorite Vocaloid

A Spanish university, with funding from Yamaha, developed this software called Vocaloid (an amalgam of "vocal android"). It was eventually commercialized, allowing users to get the application to sing simply by typing in lyrics and melody. The singing voice that the application uses is drawn from a library of phonetic units provided by one person (what a boring recording section that must be). Two versions of the Vocaloid engine have been released, with a third soon to come.

Now, for each engine, different "libraries" were released by other companies. The first Vocaloids sold were Lola and Leon, developed by software company Zero-G in 2004. Thus began the practice of selling Vocaloid products as characters, each with their unique voice and character design, virtual idols who can be molded to the each artist's vision. By far, the most popular Vocaloid today is Crypton Future Media's first release for Vocaloid 2, Hatsune Miku (HA-tsu-nay MEE-kuu), who's voice is provided by Japanese voice actress Saki Fujita.

This Japanese news bit discusses the popularity of Hatsune Miku in Japan (be sure to have the "CC" button on for closed captions). The popularity of the Hatsune Miku character, along with her songs, is huge in Japan. One song has even spawned an anime and a game adaptation. What I find most interesting about the Vocaloid software is that almost none of the music is produced by the music industry. Although Vocaloid songs now regularly find themselves on the Japanese music charts, they've always been produced by people in their free time. It's the fact that all of the media, this explosion in creativity, has been driven by consumers who make their own songs. Vocaloid software enables amateur songwriters and music producers who don't have the resources or connections to hire a vocalist, or who don't want to be restricted by a human voice, to make music that has a large impact. It's estimated that the number of music videos and songs is approaching tens of  thousands, each made by fans of the Vocaloid software and its various incarnations.

In the short amount of time I've been acquainted with the Vocaloid culture in Japan, I've already taken a liking to Crypton's third release for Vocaloid 2, Megurine Luka, pronounced meh-guu-REE-nay LUU-ka (oh, those Japanese pronunciations). Her voice is provided by popular voice actress Yu Asakawa, who's voiced popular anime characters such as Sakaki in Azumanga Daioh and Rider in Fate/stay night. Luka is usually used at lower pitches than Miku, and her voice has a huskier, more mature quality to it, which makes her comparatively more similar to real female singers than Miku. And unlike most of the other Vocaloids, Luka is bilingual. Not only does she have all the Japanese phonetics of the previous Crypton Vocaloids, she also has a sizable library of English phonetics, which allows artists to produce better sounding English lyrics. I've gone through a list of Luka's more notable songs and pulled out eight that caught my ear. All of the videos have English subtitles (some of them aren't quite right, but it's better than nothing!). Hope you enjoy them!

Double Lariat
The first video requires a bit of background info before you watch it. When I say Vocaloid is popular in Japan, I mean it. In March 9, 2010, they held a "Giving Day" concert, featuring the flagship Vocaloids: Hatsune Miku (number 01), Kagamine Len and Kagamine Rin (double library of a pair of young fraternal twins, voiced by the same actress, number 02), and Megurine Luka (number 03). The date, 3/9, was picked because it could be pronounced "sankyuu" which is how most Japanese pronounce the English phrase "thank you." It could also be pronounced "miku," which is a homonym of the concert's star performer. With the help of smooth 3D animation (motion capture? I don't know how they did it that well), a hologram projector and screen, and a live band, the virtual idols could sing 39 songs to a (very excited, glow-stick waving) audience. One of Luka's 3 1/2 songs in the concert, Double Lariat is a surprisingly uplifting song about, well, spinning. (The original music video which debuted on Japanese video site Nico Nico Douga is here on YouTube, as well. I like the subtitles on the Giving Day video better, though)

Stardust Utopia
I don't know exactly what this song is about. It's a bunch of lyrics about stars and angels and painting on the sky. The arrangement itself is upbeat and features an interesting piano melody. It was also one of Luka's featured songs in the Giving Day concert. Here's the original music video, and here's the Giving Day video (though I think they overdid it a bit with Luka's dancing).

Tower
Tower is a nice rock arrangement and one of my favorite Luka songs. In one of the music videos, from which the screen above is taken, the singer climbs Tokyo Tower, contemplating suicide. A voice from the heavens calls out to her, she hears it, and decides not to jump. The lyrics echo this exchange pretty well. The instrumentals, though not terribly revolutionary, are catchy and fitting.

 

Akahitoha

Translated as "A Single Red Leaf," Akahitoha is the story of a young maiden who falls in love with a young man under a grove of maple trees in the fall. The young man leaves for war, spring comes, and the young maiden yearns for her love as the cherry trees bloom. A very traditional Japanese story of lost love, and this pop arrangement is riddled with melodies reminiscent of traditional Japanese music.

Creepy Toast

What can I say about this one? It's completely in English. And it sounds exactly like you'd expect a song with such a title to sound. Next to her cellphone and ice cream cone is a piece of CREEPY TOAST. And it looks like the Vocaloid Big Al (not that Big Al). A fun/interesting arrangement.

 

Just Be Friends

Arguably one of Luka's most popular songs, Luka sings from the guy's perspective in this deceptively upbeat breakup ballad. The original music video (make sure you have annotations on for the subtitles, it's the speech bubble button) features the metaphorical "red string of fate" that ties two lovers together by their pinkies. It was also featured in the Giving Day concert (no subtitles on this one).

Palette

Luka's range in this song is a little higher, but it's nevertheless a pretty amazing arrangement. The lyrics are sparse but delivered with surprising conviction, considering that Luka is a computer. It's definitely worth a listen. So without further ado, Palette.

Magnet

Last but not least is one of Luka's duets with Miku, Magnet, about two lovers in a forbidden embrace. It's been sung by many pairs of Vocaloids (after all, fans will be fans), but the most well-known is this one. It's also featured in the Giving Day concert (no subtitles).

So what do you think? Do you think Vocaloids will be making an impact in the American music industry anytime soon? If you search for Hatsune Miku or the other Vocaloids on US iTunes, you'll already find a few of their singles are available for sale. Miku's creators are also planning to give her an English voice. Do you think consumers here, especially those who have an interest in music production, will embrace a "virtual idol?" Do you want a copy of the software to fiddle around with? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments.