Today, I’ll introduce how to become a producer of VOCALOID (commonly known as “Vocalo”), the music content that’s booming mainly on Niconico Douga—these producers are commonly called “Vocaloid Ps.”
- [For DTM Beginners] How to Create Original Songs Using Vocaloid
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- Welcome to the world of "Vocalo Jazz" [VOCAJAZZ]
- [For Vocaloid Beginners] How to Create Instrumental Tracks and Input Lyrics
- [I Want to Start DTM!] Preparing to Make Songs with VOCALOID
- I want to start making music with Vocaloid! A clear guide to the types of Vocaloids and their features.
- Updated daily! Today’s recommended Vocaloid feature
- How to Program Vocaloid for DTM Beginners
- A roundup of female Vocaloid producers: creators to watch!
- [Vocaloid Terms] What do “honke” (original creator) and “Vocaloid P” mean?
- [Taught by a Piano Teacher] Tips for Playing Vocaloid Songs
- [Vocaloid Beginner’s Guide] How to Add Dynamics and the Final Process
- [For Vocaloid Beginners] Adjusting Vocal Vibrato and Arranging Songs
What is Vocaloid music in the first place?
Refers to musical works that use synthesized vocals, such as “Hatsune Miku,” which are posted on video-sharing sites like Niconico Douga and YouTube.
Also,VOCALOIDIn many cases, works produced using broadly defined synthetic vocals—such as free-to-use voice synthesis like UTAU, or software from companies other than Yamaha (e.g., Sato Sarara)—are also commonly recognized as “vocalo” music in a broad sense, in addition to software that is trademarked as “Vocaloid” (and, strictly speaking, only refers to software that includes sampled voices licensed by Yamaha as VOCALOID and released by various companies under that license).
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Note: There are differences in the rules for commercial use, etc., for each one, so be sure to check the official website of the relevant software before using it.
How can I become a Vocaloid producer?
“VocaloP” is an abbreviation for “Vocaloid Producer.”Note 1It means.
Here, “produce” refers tolyricsAnd of course, composing,arrangementThis refers to tuning, choreography, and other video production, and using VOCALOID has truly made it possible for anyone to 'produce' their favorite vocal.
Therefore, to become a Vocaloid producer (Vocalo-P), you will need to purchase the Vocaloid or other synthesized voice software you want to produce with, a music production/DAW software, and a computer essential for using them.
- Synthetic vocal-source software such as VOCALOID
- Music production software / DAW software
- computer
Note 1: When UTAU is used, it is called UTAUp.
List of synthesizer software
Now, I'd like to go ahead and introduce some Vocaloid-related software.
VOCALOID
krypton family
Here is a list of Crypton-related software that produced the first-generation VOCALOID.
Hatsune Miku, who is very famous, is also a Crypton product, but in fact a software called “MEIKO” was released earlier. A new version that also supports Mac is now available.
Virtual Singer Lineup | Crypton
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com/watch?v=bD6px4lAxxg
internet-related
It's megpoid (commonly known as GUMI), which is very popular in the Vocaloid community.
Many Vocaloid products have relatively strong low-frequency ranges.
Internet Co., Ltd. – VOCLOID Series
youtube.
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AH-Software series
Here are ones like Yuzuki Yukari and Nekomura Iroha, whose tuning is relatively easy.
AH-Software – Start making music with VOCALOID!
Others
Also note that for some VOCALOID3 and later libraries that are not made by Crypton, the editor and the library are sold separately.
In terms of game consoles, the “hardware” is the editor and the “software” is the library.
Be careful, as you cannot use it without both.
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CeVIO Creative Studio
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A relatively new piece of software, led by Sarara Sato.
As it’s software originally designed more for “speaking” than “singing,” it includes parameters for conveying emotion in the voice, and it has been steadily gaining recognition.
youtube.
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Free (some libraries are paid, as they are distributed by general users)
UTAU
youtube.
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With singing voice synthesis software, it’s also possible to create your own libraries.
Furthermore, while it might seem like it’s all great because it’s free, compared to the VOCALOID series the tuning is more difficult, and to use it on a Mac you…UTAU-SynthI need it, but the software crashes quite easily, so it's a mixed bag.
Another advantage is that there is an enormous number of libraries (some are paid, but more than 3,000 are available for download), making it easy to switch libraries to suit the music you want to create.
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Recommended DAWs for Vocaloid production
First of all—this isn’t limited to Vocaloid production—the top recommendation is to use the DAW that people around you are using.
If you use the same type of DAW as someone you can easily consult when you're in trouble, you'll receive more accurate advice.
If you don’t have any acquaintances who are knowledgeable about DTM, it’s best to make your selection based on the following.
Cubese
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com/watch?v=_k_XevQ1kJ4
Steinberg Cubase 8 Product Information
Cubase(Cubase) is a product by Steinberg, the company that develops the VOCALOID Editor (the editor required for VOCALOID3 and later), and it excels in synchronization.
Studio One
youtube.
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PreSonus Studio One Product Information
Studio One(Studio One) often comes with a lite version bundled when you purchase Crypton’s VOCALOIDs (such as the above-mentioned Hatsune Miku), and like Cubase, it offers strong synchronization.
There is also a free version, but since you can’t receive support services and it’s easier to produce when you have a certain amount of sound sources, we recommend purchasing the Artist edition or higher.
Reference:[For DTM Beginners] How to Use Studio One: Installation Guide
ProTools
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Avid Pro Tools Product Information
We also use it for recording at Studio Rag.
It is highly proficient in recording and editing acoustic instruments.
However, since it can be difficult to handle without a computer of a certain level of specs, it can be considered geared toward advanced users.
Logic Pro X
youtube.
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Logic Pro X Product Information
Logic ProIf you're a Mac user, it's recommended not only for Vocaloid but in general, since it's inexpensive and offers a wide variety of sound sources.
However, many compressors are weaker compared to others, so some ingenuity is needed to create a powerful sound.
For any DAW, you’ll often need third-party plugins (from companies that sell compressors or sound libraries), so it isn’t always necessary to buy the highest-tier version.
Reference:[For DTM Beginners] How to Use Logic Pro: Installation Guide
Lastly
There are so many types of software that just choosing one can be difficult, but this is one way to make music outside of a band format, and it’s a type of music content that people with musical experience—especially composing experience—can start relatively easily.
Even if you have no composing experience, you can start by giving it a try and enjoy nurturing your favorite vocal while simultaneously deepening your knowledge and experience in composition.