Yamaha Tech Creates New Virtual Vocalists

Vocaloid Editor Screenshot (Click for a close-up)

ZERO-G announced the world's first three Virtual Vocalists powered by Yamaha's impressive Vocaloid singing synthesis, a new virtual singing technology originally announced at the Frankfurt Musikmesse earlier this year.

To be launched at Winter NAMM, January 2004 are Vocaloid LEON, male virtual soul vocalist, and Vocaloid LOLA, female virtual soul vocalist.

LEON and LOLA are virtual soul vocalists modelled on real professional singers, and when they are installed on a PC they allow the user to create singing with improved realism over other technologies. They can sing any words you ask of them, in English - literally anything - be they beautiful lyrics or comical trivialities, Monteverdi madrigals or manic chants. Vocal tracks of soulful singing can be created using any lyrics. You just type in your own lyrics, and synthesize. Then add expression to taste. LEON and LOLA are under your total control.

Vocaloid MIRIAM is the third virtual vocalist, which will be launched later at the Frankfurt Musik Messe. MIRIAM is a vocal font modeled on the voice of Miriam Stockley. Miriam is the voice of the multi-million-selling Adiemus albums, which showcase her vocal techniques.

Each package includes the Vocaloid Editor which is the interface for entering the lyrics to be sing, the Vocaloid VST/Rewire instrument, and the Vocal Font which determines the virtual vocalist's characteristics. The editor can be used standalone to preview lyrics and generate .wav files, or the data can be exported for use with the instrument within a larger composition.

Minimum System Requirements:

• Windows XP or Windows 2000
• Pentium III, 1 GHz or faster
• 512MB of RAM or more
• Approx 500 Mb Hard disk space or more (actual amount to be advised nearer release)
• CD-ROM or DVD-ROM Drive
• SVGA Display (1024x768)
• Sound Card with Microsoft DirectSound Compatible driver

The Zero-G web site does offer some audio examples of the Vocaloid synthesis engine in action so you can hear for yourself what it can do. It's definitely worth a listen - voice synthesis has come a long way!