This article is about the VOCALOID3 software known as a voicebank. If you are looking for the VOCALOID character then click here.
History[]
Pre-production: 2011-2013[]
In the December 2011, a contest titled "VOCALOID CHINA PROJECT" was launched to determine the design of the first Chinese VOCALOID.[1][2][3] It was noted that official characteristics, such as names, genders, and traits, were not established, leaving the creative details up to the participants' decisions.[4] The contest ended on January 2, 2012.[5]
On January 17, the winner was revealed to be Yayin Gongyu, the original version of Luo Tianyi, in Shanghai.[6] She was the top ranked design of 5 winning entries for the contest, with one of them being Rikuhao's Ling Caiyin who is now known as Yuezheng Ling.[7] However, it was later found that one of the designs was confirmed to be plagiarized.[8] As this violated the contest rules, this design would be disqualified.[9] The official designs would later be done by ideolo and were expected to be shown in February.[10] This was later pushed back to March.[11]
The final designs were confirmed to be revealed on March 22 through the official website.[12] Since then, Ling was only used as a promotional character concept. VOCALOID CHINA PROJECT noted that the promotional methods for their characters would be different compared to the Japanese vocals, in which the characters would receive their own official biographies.[13]
Due to controversial issues occurring in 2013, Ling and the other supporting characters of VOCALOID CHINA were unable to become VOCALOIDs for the time being.
2014[]
In March 2014, Shanghai HENIAN repurchased the character rights for all of the VOCALOID CHINA cast members and relaunched the project as VOCANESE.[14]
On July 13, VOCANESE announced on their weibo account that Ling would receive a VOCALOID voicebank and that YAMAHA was investing 100 million yuan into the project.
On August 2, VOCANESE announced an audition for the voice of Ling. According to the rules, the activity was limited to females only. The sound files were to be in MP3 format and 320 Kbps. These included a 3 minute speech and a 3 minute recording of singing, both in Mandarin Chinese. For the speaking portion, the participant expressed her anticipation and/or congratulate Ling. While speaking, it was emphasized that she must use her natural voice and refrain from voice acting. For the singing portion, she was allowed to sing in any genre that she was familiar with and record the singing acapella. When submitting her work, personal details must be included (such as name, mobile number, QQ account, contacting address, and personal photo). The deadline for the auditions was August 20.[15]
Later, VOCANESE confirmed that they had previously contacted some voice actresses and considered them to be less risky and had better efficiency, however, they refused to ignore any other potential voices for their new VOCALOID, thus the audition was launched.[16] In another response, Shanghai HENIAN stated that the participants' voices would be posted on the official Ling Weibo page.[17] Weibo members were able to vote on their favorite entry by liking and/or sharing the post with a voice featured.
On August 15, VOCANESE revealed the silhouette of the mysterious Chinese VOCALOID who was announced alongside Ling. They also announced that there would be six finalists out of all 390 entries for Ling's contest.[18][19]
On August 26, at the Beijing, Chaoyang district, the six finalists were revealed on stage: SUSU, Yumiya, Ju Hua Hua (菊花花; Jú Huā Huā), QI Inory (祈Inory; Qí Inory), Shao Yuan Yuan (少愿愿; Shǎo Yuàn Yuàn), and Yu Wu Yue Shan (幽舞越山; Yōu Wǔ Yuè Shān). Fans could vote on the voice they liked the most on Zhanyin Lorra and Ling's official website.[20]
On September 5, three of the six competitors for Ling were chosen as finalists: Ju Hua Hua, QI Inory, and Yu Wu Yue Shan.[21] It was also revealed on Ling and Lorra's official website that the remaining finalists' voices would be recorded and that short samples showcasing the voicebanks would be released in Mid-September, demonstrating how the contestants would sound in the VOCALOID3 engine. On September 11, they finished recording all remaining contestants.[22]
On September 22, the samples were featured on Ling and Lorra's official webpage. Fans were able to listen to the samples and vote for the voicebank they liked the most. All voicebanks were singing the Chinese classic, Molihua. This portion of the contest ended on October 13.[23]
On October 15, the winner was revealed to be QI Inory and recording for the two VOCALOIDs began.[24] On October 22, Gui Xian Ren, the voice provider for Lorra, announced that she had finished her recording session and that QI Inory would begin next.[25]
On November 20, VOCANESE confirmed that even though VOCALOID4 was revealed, they were still going to release Ling as a VOCALOID3.[26]
2015[]
On January 14, 2015, an admin on VOCANESE's official Facebook page noted that they heard Ling's voicebank.[27] On January 29, QI Inory talked about her feedback towards Ling's voicebank. While a demo was completed, she was not allowed to reveal it to the public. She expressed concern about trying to create a voice to match Ling's image and because of this, the result of the final voicebank became very different in comparison to the "Molihua" clip that was posted on the contest page. She described the voice to be "a stubborn and energetic girl, but a little boyish. However, she certainly has a feminine voice". From what she knew, Shanghai HENIAN was submitting the voicebank and demo to YAMAMA. She was unsure about the release date for Ling, but noted that the VOCALOID would be shown around the upcoming months.[28]
On May 1, VOCANESE attended YACA to remind fans that Ling was still in progress. While no news were announced, a fan reporter attended the event to interview the staff. The staff confirmed that Ling would be released in Summer 2015, with July being the earliest possible release and August being the latest. At this point in time, Ling was receiving finishing touches to her database and they were working on debugging.[29]
On May 28, along with the announcement of Xingchen, Shanghai HENIAN confirmed that Ling's release was more likely to be in June or July. It was also confirmed that the VOCANESE project was renamed to Vsinger.[30]
On May 29, Shanghai HENIAN posted a thread that answered questions that Chinese fans had about Xingchen and the Vsinger characters. Here, it was discussed why Ling was still a VOCALOID3 vocal. By the time the VOCALOID4 engine was announced, Ling was already in the production process and she was too far into development to switch to VOCALOID4. She was in the packaging process by the time this thread was posted.[31]
On June 10, it was mentioned that Vsinger would appear at Firefly Con in Guangzhou on July 17 and it was later confirmed that she would be released and sold here.[32] On the same day, a sample of her first demo was revealed on Weibo.[33]
On June 23, it was announced that Ling would be available for preorder from July 1 to July 16. By preordering her, customers would receive a 22% discount off her original price.[34]
Product Information[]
Demonstrations[]
Demonstrations |
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| |
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Sample 1 | YouTube bilibili Weibo |
Scarlet Drop ft. Luo Tianyi | NicoNico YouTube bilibili |
梦语 (Mèng Yǔ) | YouTube bilibili |
平行四界 3 (Píngxíng Sì Jiè 3) Crossfade | bilibili |
System Requirements[]
- OS: Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7 (32/64bit)
- CPU: Intel Dual Core CPU
- RAM: 2GB and up
- Hard Disk Capacity: 11GB and up
- Internet connection.
Voicebanks[]
Product Information | |
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Optimum | |
Optimum Range: G2 ~ C5 Optimum Tempo: 70 ~ 220 BPM Total Tempo (min-max): 150 BPM No. of Keys: W ~ 18, B ~ 12, Total ~ 30 | |
Versions | |
Trial/Demo Vers?: No Starter Available?: No | |
Package details as noted: | |
Ling is a youthful and energetic female vocalist. | |
Vocal traits as noted: | |
| |
Phonetic notes as noted: | |
| |
Software issues as noted: | |
| |
Voicebank sample | |
| |
References[]
- ↑ https://www.weibo.com/2473274704/xyOkEFKpi
- ↑ https://www.weibo.com/2473274704/xzYI9Fnh6
- ↑ https://www.weibo.com/1694556887/xzYIlcgf6
- ↑ https://www.weibo.com/2473274704/xAB6SqqGU
- ↑ https://www.weibo.com/2473274704/xEVpe4Ow9
- ↑ https://www.weibo.com/2473274704/y1cKfj1Wt
- ↑ https://www.weibo.com/2473274704/y1cI4zgt9
- ↑ https://www.weibo.com/2473274704/y1nOEoiny
- ↑ https://www.weibo.com/2473274704/y1nPnkqYp
- ↑ https://www.weibo.com/2473274704/y1nPLyni3
- ↑ https://www.weibo.com/2473274704/y82Ux9fZb
- ↑ https://www.weibo.com/2473274704/yaVUHbFwV
- ↑ https://www.weibo.com/2473274704/ydbowuEw5
- ↑ http://v.pptv.com/show/sxV29XSzLGrNS7M.html
- ↑ Yuezheng Ling Audition
- ↑ Q/A translated by Mandarin and English Vocaloid China page
- ↑ Ling's official Weibo, host for voice samples
- ↑ Mystery VOCALOID and Ling's voice provider
- ↑ Six finalists
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/vocanese/photos/pb.555588054510104.-2207520000.1430167716./689589004443341/
- ↑ 3 Finalists
- ↑ Test voicebanks finished
- ↑ Contest ended
- ↑ Ling and Lorra Winners
- ↑ Lorra finished, Ling's turn
- ↑ Ling and Lorra as V3, not V4
- ↑ Ling's voicebank hint
- ↑ Inory's feedback
- ↑ Muzi's report blog
- ↑ http://www.weibo.com/5582156776/CjUFfxBwx
- ↑ Q/A session
- ↑ Firefly con
- ↑ Ling's voice
- ↑ Release date
- ↑ http://weibo.com/1662927943/CuN1XbPO6
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