Talk:Ryuto/@comment-44153687-20200217000616/@comment-53539-20200217115415

I wouldn't say the lifespan is that short, he had a V2 release which was usuable up until V4. He also still has the V3 vocal on sale and that can be used in V5. In total his lifespan has been about 10 years approx at this point. The average voicebank has a 8-10 year support lifespan which is actually a really long time, basically 2 generations of Vocaloid.

A lot of the problem is that older voicebanks are generally terrible quality compared to more modern versions of the same or similar vocals. And Yamaha can't afford to support older versions of the engine. In addition many of the voicebanks from older engines will start to buckle in newer versions as they were not calibrated for that engine. You do have to make adjustments when switching engines at times.

I think either way 8-10 years is a pretty good lifespan for any vocal, and Ryuto will make this unless they retire the V3 era range at the end of V5 like V4 saw V2 and V3 saw V1 happen to them.