MEIKO V3


 * This is an article about the MEIKO V3 software for the VOCALOID3 engine.

History
''It is unknown when production switched from VOCALOID2 to VOCALOID3. However, it is known that even Crypton Future Media themselves could not predict if this update would be VOCALOID2 or VOCALOID3. Use of the VOCALOID2 version can be found in Project mirai.''

MEIKO APPEND: 2009
Haigou Meiko's voice was tested to see how it fared against the newer engine, due to how both she and the engine have aged. The results, which satisfied Crypton, allowed new recordings to begin. According to Haigou Meiko, unlike the first VOCALOID recording, the new update was much more relaxed and she was not rushing to get it finished.

MEIKO APPEND: 2010
In early Feb, Wat mentioned wanting to work on Meiko and the children's choir, but was working on Kagamine Rin \ Len.

In October 2010 it was noted that CFM were considering updating Meiko and Kaito to VOCALOID2 or VOCALOID3.

In the month of December 2010, MEIKO and KAITO were confirmed for updates, but it was unknown if the two of them would be VOCALOID2 or VOCALOID3, as they were still being planned. MEIKO's development, was, however, a separate story to KAITO. Crypton conducted a survey of 8,000+ people, confirming positive views towards updating her from VOCALOID. Crypton noted these opinions came only from core VOCALOID users and listeners. At the time of the poll, the development stages of the VOCALOIDs were MEIKO → Megurine Luka → KAITO.

MEIKO V3: 2011
In June, Wat confirmed that MEIKO was still being worked on. Work on MEIKO was being continuted during said month. Wat was unsure what Appends to carry forward in comparison to KAITO's update.

In July, Wat reported that both MEIKO and Luka's progress was coming along quietly.

After a long interval, MEIKO's recording was resumed in November 2011. A few days later, Haigou Meiko announced that she had finished recording completely. Wat hinted MEIKO was definitely getting a update and that the whole V3 Crypton line-up was due for release next summer.

MEIKO Append was heard for the very first time when OSTER project used her in Lollipop Factory, which was uploaded on December 1, 2011. It was stated in the video description that OSTER was able to use the voicebank via courtesy of Crypton Future Media. The version she used, however, was the unreleased VOCALOID2 voicebank which was under development during that period.

Following the video, OSTER used the same voicebank in one of the songs in her album "OSTERさんのベスト" (OSTER-san no Best). This time, it was used in its more natural tone, which replaces the vocals of the original VOCALOID MEIKO in the 7th track "ピアノ×フォルテ×スキャンダル" (Piano × Forte × Scandal) which is noticeably smoother and clearer compared with the original.

Wat reported in December that MEIKO was still coming along steadily.

Wat tweeted on December 1, 2011, stating that all previous demos had originally been rendered with the VOCALOID2 engine, and things were being redone for the VOCALOID3 engine.

MEIKO V3: 2012
In February, Wat discussed the differences between the CV, or Character Vocal series (Hatsune Miku, the Kagamines, and Megurine Luka) and MEIKO and KAITO. He also stated their updates were being adjusted by using editing techniques to achieve the results, whereas the CV series Appends had been done using acting performances. Crypton was considering grounds for a MEIKO English voicebank.

They later announced that they would make an English voicebank. A test version of MEIKO was produced in the month of March 2012.

So far, a "Dark" voicebank has been confirmed. Also, like KAITO, she will have a classic vocal with the same tone as VOCALOID MEIKO.

According to a late December report, MEIKO and other projects are coming along steadily.

MEIKO V3: 2013
It has been confirmed that an English voicebank will be included in MEIKO V3 pack, exactly as KAITO's was. MEIKO's provider is practicing English in relation to the English voicebank. Crypton is trying to find new ways of improving English pronunciation, due to the strict English sound recognition of English speakers.

Wat spoke again about the "Dark," and now along with the "Power" vocals in May, mentioning that he was to adjust the MEIKO voicebank to make it more balanced in favor of its payoffs.

In June, Wat had discussed changes that had affected things between VOCALOID2 and VOCALOID3, and the impact on the databases in development, where he stated that he is thankful for the changes.

Crypton's website was updated in July to include Meiko V3 and Hatsune Miku V3.

On the 7th of October, 2013, it was announced that MEIKO V3's Japanese voicebank was having it's final adjustments. Meiko Haigou herself would announce it's completion by the end of the week.

By October 12, 2013, the very first Demo of MEIKO using the V3 engine was heard at the NY Comic-Con.

On the 19th of October 2013, Wat reported that "Power" was having some adjustments made to it.

On the 5th of November 2013, it was revealed on her official site that MEIKO V3 will be released on February 2014 alongside two demos.

MEIKO V3: 2014
In Jan 2014, Wat mentioned that the situation with MEIKO "Power" was similar with the Kagamine Act1 package. MEIKO's "Power" vocal was recorded in 2009 and did not produce good results on the VOCALOID2 engine, so the decision was made to shelve the vocal; it was brought out again in 2013 and re-added because the new V3 engine allowed the vocal to be possible. Based on this event, Wat mentioned it may be possible to also bring Act1 back out. Wat also mentioned playing with experimental Vocals he hoped to one day release. These 3 vocals he mentioned were KAITO "Light", Miku falsetto and MEIKO "Hard".

MEIKO also went on sale with a "Vocaloid-P debut lite set". As well as the MEIKO V3 software, this contains a Korg microKEY-25 MIDI keyboard, a TASCAM US-100 unit and headset. Software "Studio One Piapro edition" is also included. A more advanced bundle was also offered called the "invincible" set. In addition to the contents of the "lite" set, other things were offered included a Peavey PVi2 Dynamic Microphone, wind guard, a boom arm microphone, music stand, a XLR-XLR microphone cable and pop guard. Cubase LE6 is included within the box as additional software and instead of the TASCAM US-100 unit, the more advanced TASCAM US-366 unit is included. It is worth noting that both bundles are not built for a normal PC environment and producers interested would have to consider their set-up before buying as it may not be suitable for these particular bundles.