SF-A2 miki

SF-A2 Miki (SF-A2 開発コード Miki, SF-A2 development code miki) is a Japanese Vocaloid released on December 4, 2009. In Japanese, 'development code' translates as 'kaihatsu koudo'. She is developed by AH-Software.

History
She is voiced by Miki Furukawa (former bassist of the band Supercar; now a solo singer) and illustrated by Yuusuke Kozaki, her creation was a jont effort by both AH-Software and Yamaha. Two demos have been released, "Touyou no Noumiso" and "±". Also another demo song was given out on her official page.

Vocaloid 3; starter pack
AH-Software are releasing their Vocaloid 2 era Vocaloid with Vocaloid 3 starter packs. However, there have been no updates for the 4 voicebanks and although they are sold with Vocaloid 3 they are all still Vocaloid 2 voicebanks.

2012 redesign
Miki was given a new physical appearance in 2012 for currently unknown purposes.

Marketing
An album with her singing Christmas songs, "VOCALOIDS☆Ｘ‘MAS" was also set to be released in November, 2009. Notable vocaloid song creators' works are included in the album. She was also used for the introduction of the Hello Kitty game, Hello Kitty to Issho! Block Crash 123! on its official page.
 * Hello Kitty to Issho! Block Crash 123!

Until May 2011, all Ah-software Vocaloids were banned from Karen-T.

According to the information that came from the 2012 redesign, miki was designed to look like she was made out of a inorganic material and was conceptualised as an android. Her body is designed to look like that of a child, but also give her the overall look of approx 14 years old. Though she is an android, she is covered in muscles made of various materials such as carbon nanotubes, but were made loose to give a mild deformed look about them. Having an immature-looking body allowed more easily for her to be passed off as younger then she looks, similair to how Miku and Rin could do the same since they lacked mature looking bodies.

In June 2012, merchandise of both her and Yuzuki Yukari began to sell including mugs and T-shirts.

Taiwan Release
SF-A2 miki is one of the Vocaloids set to be released by e-capsule.

Figurines
Although no official figurines exist, a Garage Kit was produced for her by Ishii Komasuke.

Vocaloid 2

 * Comparison between the Vocaloid and voice provider

SF-A2 開発コード miki
SF-A2 miki is the first and only member of AH-Software's "Artist Vocal" series, the series based on vocal artists and follows a different intention to that of Yuki Kaai and Kiyoteru Hiyama.

She was created to have a wide range and to sound different greatly when she is in a high voice and in a low voice. Some users say her voice is smooth and can be emotional. She also has one of the largest optimum vocal ranges for Vocaloid 2.

The difference between her high and low means she does not maintain the same stable tone if drifting up and down the octaves, due to this it is difficult to control her pitch without further editing or pitch correction software. Because of also an alleged pronunciation issue, she is often said to not be easy for beginners to use. Her soft voice is sometimes drowned out by loud rock music.

Demo
A 14 day trial version of the Vocaloid 2 engine for this Vocaloid was made able to be downloaded in March 2012 from AH-Software's website. This does not allow .VSQ saving but .Wav files can be saved.

Popularity
SF-A2 miki was the most popular of the first three AH-Software Vocaloids, however the three were slow to gain popularity and for a while were amongst the least popular of the Japanese Vocaloids.

A independent Vocaloid search on Nico Nico Douga revealed that most Vocaloids had less then 1,000 videos uploaded on Nico Nico Douga in between July 1 and December 15, 2011 with SF-A2 miki falling into that category as well.

Trivia

 * Kio's model is available by purchase of Windows 100% magazine and MMD Starter Pack magazine. Previously the model was available to download from his site, however it was pulled after users violated the models 'terms of use'.
 * She is the only member of the "Artist Vocal" series to date.
 * SF-A2 miki's voice provider, Miki Furukawa, works for Ki/oon records who are owned by Sony and is the same group Utatane Piko's provider Piko comes from.

Notable for...

 * One of the first 3 AH-Software Vocaloid 2 voicebanks to be released
 * One of the two first female AH software Vocaloids
 * First Vocaloid of the Artist Vocal series to be released