SF-A2 miki

SF-A2 development code miki (SF-A2 開発コード miki), often shortened to just "SF-A2 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 joint effort by both AH-Software and Yamaha.

Also another demo song was given out on her official page.

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

Concept
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, similar to how Miku and Rin could do the same since they lacked mature looking bodies.

Etymology
Her codename of "miki" comes from her provider's name "Miki Furukawa".

The "SF-A2" part of her name has never been stated on its meaning.

Marketing


She, along with Kaai Yuki and Hiyama Kiyoteru were introduced to expand the Vocaloid market and give Producers more choices.

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.

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 GarageKit was produced for her by Ishii Komasuke.

Vocaloid 2

 * Comparison between the Vocaloid and voice provider

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.

AH-Software began to sell this voicebank library with Vocaloid 3 starter packs along with the other 3 Vocaloid 2 vocals. 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.


 * -|SF-A2 開発コード miki=

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.

Examples of Usage
To our readers and editors, for section notes please read; Notes; Examples sections.
 * -|SF-A2 miki =

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'.
 * 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

Gallery
[source]
 * -|Boxart =
 * -|Concept art =
 * -|MMD models =