BIG AL

Big-Al's announcement was made on January 21, 2007. A plugin version was released on the PowerFX site on December 22, 2009, with a DVD version that was available after Christmas.

History


The first song demo using Big-Al, “Make Me Feel”, was prepared by Alexei Ustinov for the Frankfurt MusikMesse 2007 fair. Big-Al's release was pushed back numerous times, though the demos of him were available and uploaded, examples (I Feel Good, Alove, and PowerFX) were uploaded in early May .Al's first voice bank was recorded by Michael King, a singer/artist and award winning Elvis impersonator.

Change of Voice
As the Vocaloid was in the editing process PowerFX tried to fix the pronunciation, and even though demos were posted on the net, they felt it was not good enough to be released. So in an attempt to re-record King, they found that he was too busy touring. Frank Sanderson, a professional voice over artist, studio engineer/owner and former PowerFX employee then did the voice over which was used for the program.

New boxart was done to match the new voice given for him. Because of the initial reaction to Sonika's noticeable anime influenced look, he was given a look split between anime and a more western style. The picture was done by artist Ash Georgick, who also illustrated the Sonika comics. The artist stated that the color scheme (red and white) were chosen by PowerFX, while black was added to avoid looking like Choiwaru-P's Leon.

On December 11, 2009, a demo of Big-Al's voice was leaked on youtube, the demo was Al singing small parts to the song "When the Saints Go Marching In", but apparently this demo was beta and not meant to be leaked, yet PowerFX did give permission to YT uploaders to post the demo.

Downloading Problem
When he was first released, users were unable to download him, leading to complaints from both English and Japanese fans. The problem was corrected by PowerFX switching download providers and the report on his problem was that his file had simply been too big. PowerFX then put up a notice that they will make sure buyers received the program no matter what, even if the company had to post it to them.

Usage for Music
His voice was modeled after a Swedish rock vocalist. He had more keys recorded for him than Sweet Ann. Unlike Sweet Ann is capable of 5 breathing phonemes as well as other phonemes that were not included in previous english Vocaloids but had in their Japanese counterparts. His timbre is comparably lower, rougher, and more “manly” than Leon’s and has replaced many of the traditional roles that Leon once used. His voice also has a noted Swedish accent that at times quite clear to hear, which gives him a unique sound against other male vocaloids and the other English Vocaloids. This accent can appear even when users attempt to make him sing Japanese, both Japanese and English fans alike have commented his voice can have a child-like pronunciation at times even when used by experience "English to Japanese" users.

Big-Al is typically geared for early-mid 20th century classic rock although he has been used for a wide variety of genres such as blues, disco and pop. He is also often used as backup singer for other vocaloids; his voice is used because it favors singing in the range bass to baritone. By using Big Al music producers can broaden the vocal range of a group singing together, particularly the male vocaloids as before Big-Al's release none could reach as low as he could. He is capable of reaching higher octaves, however it is generally accepted that his voicebanks are more suited for the lower octaves then higher.

New York, New York
Song New York, New York Popularly known for being covered by Frank Sinatra Cover by Giuseppe


 * YouTube broadcast
 * Nico broadcast

If I Were a Rich Man
Written by Sheldon Harnick and Jerry Bock Performed by Tevye. Cover by Giuseppe
 * Youtube broadcast

Sway
Sung by Pablo Beltrán Ruiz Cover by Giuseppe
 * Youtube broadcast

All Of Me
Music and Lyrics by Gerald Marks and Seymour Simons Cover by Giuseppe
 * YouTube broadcast

Waltzing Matilda
Written by Banjo Paterson Cover by Giuseppe
 * Youtube broadcast

Magic Moments
With Sweet Ann and Sonika as backup Music by Burt Bacharach and Lyrics by Hal David Cover by Giuseppe
 * Youtube broadcast

That'll Be the Day
Song by Buddy Holly and Jerry Allison Cover by Giuseppe
 * Youtube broadcast

にブルースをうたってもらった (I had to Sing the Blues)
Music and Lyrics by Mazzo-P
 * aka Big Al's Blues
 * Nico broadcast
 * Youtube broadcast

Mary Jane on my Mind
Sung by Tsunoda☆Hiro of STRAWBERRY PATH Cover by Mazzo-P
 * Nico broadcast
 * Youtube broadcast

Jingle Bells
Duet with Miku Hatsune Song by James Pierpont Cover by Mazzo-P
 * Nico broadcast
 * YouTube broadcast

オリジナル曲 (Little Toy Robot)
Music and Lyrics by Sasasa-P
 * Nico broadcast
 * Youtube broadcast

Dublin Jack Of All Trades
A traditional Irish folk song With Miriam, Rin/Len Kagamine, Luka Megurine as backup Cover by Sasasa-P
 * Nico broadcast
 * Youtube broadcast

長い夜 (Long Night)
Sung by Tiharu Matsuyama Cover by Shota-P
 * Nico broadcast
 * Youtube broadcast

もののけ姫 - Mononoke Hime (Theme Song)
Sung by Joe Hisaishi Cover by Shota-P
 * Nico broadcast
 * Nico broadcast (Big Al chorus)
 * Youtube broadcast

Last Dance
Music and Lyrics by Koda-P
 * Youtube broadcast

Bornagain
Music and Lyrics by Andromeca

Born Again is the first song produced to fully take advantage of Big Al's breathing phonemes and usage within the song can quite clearly be heard.
 * Nico broadcast
 * Youtube broadcast

私が愛したゲイシャガール (I Fell in Love with a Geisha Girl)
Music and Lyrics by kihirohito-P
 * Nico broadcast
 * Youtube broadcast

Salamander
Song by Ellegarden Cover by anmerutsu-P
 * Nico broadcast
 * Youtube broadcast

Magnet
Duet with Sweet Ann Music and Lyrics by Ryuusei-P Cover by Leo-P
 * Nico broadcast
 * YouTube broadcast

私だけの十字架 (A cross only for me)
Sung by Fausto Cigliano Used for the ending of the Japanese show "Tokusou Saizensen". Cover by udongerge-P
 * Nico broadcast
 * Youtube broadcast

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Translated text by John Mason Neale Cover by TuKuRu-P
 * Nico broadcast
 * YouTube broadcast

Scarborough Fair Canticle
A traditional English ballad With Luka Megurine as back up Cover by Hatomatsulist
 * Nico broadcast
 * Youtube broadcast

My Heart Will Go On
Music by James Horner and Lyrics by Will Jennings Cover by KarinHiiragiMothraP
 * Nico broadcast
 * Youtube broadcast


 * A genderbent called "Little Alice" also sung this song:
 * Nico broadcast
 * Youtube broadcast

I'm Too Sexy
Music and Lyrics by Right Said Fred Cover by Udongerge-P
 * Nico broadcast
 * YouTube broadcast

Bad Romance
Song by Lady Gaga Cover by icreps105
 * Youtube broadcast

Trivia

 * Sonika has Twittered about Big-Al, questioning that would his release mean that she is his big sister or little sister. This is a joking reference to their release date and ages. She also twittered about wanting to do a duet with him. She later would with Auld Lang Syne, she joked Al's high-pitch was due to the tight trousers he wore.  She also made another joke regarded his late arrival in an earlier twitter.
 * Like Sweet Anne, Big-Al's original boxart bore similarities to early 20th movie posters.
 * The monster he is based on is Frankenstein's Monster.
 * Miriam, Lola and Big-Al were featured in the freeware RPG "AD Lucem"
 * Big Al has also been associated with penguins due to the video "Born Again", as his hair and attire make him vaguely resemble a Crested Penguin.
 * A model for MMD has been made for Big-Al.