Vocaloid 4

History

In October 2014, the first Vocaloid confirmed for the Vocaloid 4 engine was the English vocal Ruby, its release was delayed so it could be released on the newer engine. A Vocaloid 4 version for OS X has also been released. All AH-Software vocals were also announced as receiving updated packages as well as VY1v4. The update of the AH-Software Vocaloid 2 vocals is related to Windows 10 being released in 2015, and the impact it may have on the Vocaloid 2 software.

The Vocaloid 4 engine allows the importing of Vocaloid 2 and Vocaloid 3 vocals, though Vocaloid 2 vocals must have already been imported into Vocaloid 3 for this to work. The new engine includes other features, but not all of them are accessible by Vocaloid 2 and Vocaloid 3 vocals. One of the new features is a "Growl" feature which allows vocals built for Vocaloid 4 to take on a growl-like property in their singing results. Cross-synthesis was also added, allowing the user to switch between two of a character's vocals built for the same language smoothly using a time-varying parameter. This feature is accessible when using Vocaloid 3 and Vocaloid 4 vocals, but not Vocaloid 2. Cross-synthesis only works with vocals from the same character, making use with packages like VY1v4 possible, but not packages such as Anon and Kanon. Another feature included is Pitch Rendering, which all imported vocals can use. This displays the effective pitch curve on the user interface. Finally, real-time input has been included in this version and is another feature which all vocals can use. VSQX files made for Vocaloid 3 work in Vocaloid 4, but they will not work the other way around.

For Japanese users who had bought Vocaloid 3, Vocaloid 3 Editor, Vocaloid Editor for Cubase or VY1v3, Yamaha offered a free upgrade for each software. Those who bought the editor after November 10, 2014 were also offered a free upgrade until June 2015. Those who wished to use Vocaloid on a Mac, however were offered only the Vocaloid Editor for Cubase as an option for use of the Vocaloid editor on Mac as a normal Vocaloid 4 adaption was not offered.

One of the highlights of the Cross-synthesis function is that it can produce very different results depending on which vocals are mixed. Megpoid V4's two vocals "Native" and "NativeFat" will not produce much difference between them. However, by mixing Megpoid V4 vocals "Power" and "Sweet" the function will produce a very different result.

When it was first released, it was only available in Japanese or English, despite being fully capable of using Chinese, Korean, or Spanish vocals from Vocaloid 3. This was similar to the how with the original Vocaloid software functioned, in that its interface was only in English, despite having vocals for other languages. Despite the release of Vocaloid 4, Chinese vocals Yuezheng Ling and Zhanyin Lorra were also developed as releases intended for Vocaloid 3.

As of the voice "Cyber Diva", some long term bugs were fixed and pronunciations addressed. English Vocaloid libraries now use a new shorter, more effective script. A custom library was made for the vocal, the largest ever made, which caused an issue with the dictionary proxy that was addressed. English vocals now have more clarity, at the price of expressive tones. Due to the mislabeling of certain phonetic symbols, all past English built vocals were reported to have incorrect sounds assigned to certain symbols, this has been addressed with the new script.

Several adaptations of the Vocaloid 4 have been released. Namely, A Mobile version of the editor was released in 2015. Another adaption of the software came in the form of "Unity with Vocaloid", a version of the engine which allowed it to synthesis vocals in real-time within the Unity Engine. The job plug-in "Vocalistener" also received an upgrade, with an upgrade offer for Vocaloid 3 version owners offered.

Vocaloid 4 was the last version rleased under Hideki Kenmochi, as he announced his retirement on January 30, 2015. Vocaloid has continued its development. He was replaced by Katsumi Ishikawa.

In addition to the Vocaloid 4, the software itself also saw use in the Vocaloid Keyboard, which had first been announced in 2012, though prototypes of the Keyboard were finally unveiled in mid-2015 though did not see commercial release.

VY1v4

The latest version of the VY1 product, VY1v4 contains 4 voices, "Natural", "Normal", "Power" and "Soft." VY1v4 was released on December 17, 2014, for both PC and Mac operating systems. Those who bought the previous version were offered an upgrade discount which was included on the Vocaloid shop.

Cyber Diva

Cyber Diva is an American Accented Female vocal released on February 4, 2015. The voice provider is Jenny Shima, who is an American singer, theater actress, and model.

A version of this vocal was also added to the Mobile Vocaloid Editor app, making it the first English vocal for the app at the time of release, and for a quite a while the only vocal on the English app. Despite this, the app was still using a Japanese interface at the time of release.

Yuzuki Yukari V4

An update on the Vocaloid 3 product "Yuzuki Yukari", this update, released March 18, 2015, contains three vocals, "Jun", "Onn" and "Lin". "Jun" being a faithful recreation of her previous vocal, "Onn" being a soft type vocal, and "Lin" being a power type vocal. The vocals can be purchased individually or as a complete package. In addition, it was announced that all 3 vocals were would be released for the "Unity with Vocaloid" version.

All 3 vocals also appeared on the Mobile Vocaloid Editor app, each sold separately.

Yuzuki Yukari also later would have her voice developed into the Vocaloid Keyboard.

Megurine Luka V4X

An update on the Vocaloid 2 product "Megurine Luka" that was released March 19, 2015, on both PC and Mac. She comes with four Japanese vocals, "soft" and "hard", aw well as E.V.E.C., plus two English vocals, "straight" and "soft". The "E.V.E.C." system, adds options to change the tones of the Japanese vocals "Soft_EVEC" and "Hard_EVEC" to 9 additional Japanese tones: "power 1", "power 2", "native", "whisper", "dark", "husky", "soft", "falsetto" and "cute." "SOFT_EVEC" and "Hard EVEC" can be used for Cross-synth, giving Luka four possible XSY (cross-synthesis) vocals for Japanese, and two for English. The vocal is based on breath.

Gackpoid V4

An update of the V3 Gackpoid product announced on March 31, 2015, and released on April 30, 2105.

Nekomura Iroha V4

An update on the Vocaloid 2 product. The voice comes with two libraries: "Natural" and "soft". Released June 18, 2015.

SF-A2 miki V4

An update on the VOCALOID2 product. Released June 18, 2015.

V4 Flower

An update of the V flower vocal released for Vocaloid 3. Released on July 16, 2015. Those who bought the previous version were offered an upgrade discount, which was included on the Vocaloid shop.

Sachiko

Sachiko is a Japanese female Vocaloid from Yamaha, released on July 27, 2015. The voice actor is the Enka singer Sachiko Kobayashi. She came with a special plug-in for Vocaloid 4 called "Sachikobushi." This adjusts VSQx files to make her sing like her provider.

This vocal was later also added to the Mobile Vocaloid editor app.

Arsloid; Akira Kano

Akira Kano was announced in June 2015, and released on September 23, 2015. Arsloid is a private male vocal based on the singer Akira Kano from Arsmagna. The vocal may be released as a full product if the reception is good. Later he was confirmed for release and will have two additional voices: "Soft" and "Bright," bringing the total number of voices within the package to three, and allowing cross synthesis to be used.

Ruby

An American female English vocal developed by VocaTone, released October 7, 2015. A Japanese voicebank was also conceived but cancelled, however it may be considered if the English Voicebank sells well.

Kaai Yuki V4

An update on the Vocaloid 2 product released on October 29, 2015. Due to the original voice actor maturing, a new actor was used for this product to make the new samples needed to complete the vocal library.

Hiyama Kiyoteru V4

An update on the Vocaloid 2 product, includes the "Natural" and "rock" Voicebanks that was released on October 29, 2015.

Megpoid V4

The update to the Megpoid software. There are a total of 10 vocals for this package, the first five, Native, Adult, Whisper, Sweet, and Power are updates on the old Vocaloid3 versions. The last 5 are new vocals and consist of Nativefat, MellowAdult, PowerFat, NaturalSweet, and SoftWhisper. Megpoid V4 was released as "complete package" with all ten vocals, or as one of five separate packages with a pair of vocals in each.

The 5 packages are;

The vocals supplied in each package are especially designed to be Cross-Synthesis friendly, producing the best results such as "Native" and "NativeFat". However, vocals used with one package when used with the function with vocals from another package produce a very different result. So mixing "Power" and "Sweet" will be almost the equivalent of another vocal library entirely.

Released on November 5, 2015.

The voice was also featured in use on the Vocaloid Keyboard prototype.

Megpoid English is also currently in consideration for an update. Development currently unscheduled but estimated to begin in 2016 or 2017.

Dex

Dex is a male American accented Vocaloid by Zero-G, and partner to Daina, based on a hound theme and pop-orientation. Dex was released on November 20, 2015.

Dex was also sold for the Mac version of the software, a first for Zero-G Vocaloid software.

Daina

Daina is a female American accented Vocaloid by Zero-G and the partner vocal to Dex. She is based on a fox theme and is pop-orientated. Released on November 20, 2015.

Daina was also sold alongside Dex for the Mac version of the software, a first for Zero-G Vocaloid software.

Rana V4

Rana was also announced for an upgrade at "The Voc@loid M@ster 33" event. The first 100 visitors to the "Rana Experience" booth were given the chance to obtain Rana V4 early access.

Her Vocaloid4 version was released on the 1 December 2015. This voice is identical to the Vocaloid3 version, except for the addition of a growl function. Those who had registered all 30 issues in the magazine Vocalo-P ni Naritai (ボカロＰになりたい！) version were offered an upgrade discount on the Vocaloid shop.

Kagamine Rin/Len V4X

An update on the Vocaloid 2 product "Kagamine Rin/Len" was released in Q3, 2015 for both PC and Mac. The vocals are based on tension and strength while being able to control power. They also both come with an English Voicebank On August 31, 2015, their homepage was launched, confirming their "V4x" status and their use of E.V.E.C.

The package contains updates on the original Vocaloid2 Append vocals ("Power", "Warm" and "Sweet" for Rin and "Power", "Cold and "Serious for Len), with improvements. E.V.E.C. is only possible with their "Power" vocals, in comparison to the past Luka package, only options "Soft" and "Power" are given.

In addition to the main package a separate English vocal package wads produced for Kagamine Rin and Len. The package contains natural sounding vocals for creation of English. They are currently being sold as an expansion pack and are sold bundled with the Kagamine Rin/Len V4X package, or on their own with only the lite version of the Vocaloid4 engine.

There have been many comments on the close similarities between Luka's English vocals and Len's English vocals. Both Rin and Len's English vocals are softer and less defined than their Japanese sounds.

The release date was the 24December 2015.

Unity-chan; Kohaku Otori/AKAZA

The Unity-Chan is a feminine Japanese vocal voiced by Japanese novice voice actress Kakumoto Asuka. Unlike previous software, it has two mascots for the single vocal, Kohaku and AKAZA. They were released on the 14 January 2016 for the Unity Engine version of the software "Unity with Vocaloid". A special version of the package calledd "『C89特別仕様 『VOCALOID4 Library unity-chan!』PROJECT:AKAZA スペシャルパッケージ』" was sold at the COMIKET 89 booth.

They will also be released for the Mobile Vocaloid Editor.

They have a special licensing. For use of their vocal within projects, the voice will be provided for free as long as a 10 million yen is the consultation fee is paid. For other public uses of the vocal, a Vocaloid engine fee is required. Due to the Yamaha royalty system, users will have to seek consultation with 3rd parties for use with Vocaloid and other companies vocals.

Fukase

Is a Japanese; English male Vocaloid whose voice comes from the singer of Sekai no Owari.

He was released on January 28, 2016 with 3 vocals: "Normal", "Soft", and "English". This package also comes with a plug-in for Vocaloid 4 called "Electric Tune" which allows the user to add distinct pitching effects to the voice, such as a robotic sound. It also includes a booklet with information about how to operate the VOCALOID4 editor and Fukase's vocal using SEKAI NO OWARI's song "Starlight Paradise".

Fukase's license agreement requires permission before it may be used in commercial products.

Xingchen

Xingchen (星尘), known under the English name "Stardust", is a female Chinese vocal released on April 13, 2016. She was developed by Shanghai HENIAN, voiced by Chalili, and her character was conceptualized as "Quadimensionko", a mascot for the Quadimension album series and group.

Otomachi Una

A Japanese Vocaloid voiced by the Japanese voice actress Aimi Tanaka. She comes with a "sweet" type vocal called "SUGAR" and a "powerful" type called "SPICY".

Hatsune Miku V4X

On August 31, 2015 the title of her update was revealed. She was released August 31, 2016, 9 years after her original Vocaloid 2 release. Like Megurine Luka V4X and Kagamine Rin/Len V4X, she has E.V.E.C. capabilities. She has six voice-banks "Original," "Solid," "Dark," "Soft," "Sweet," and "English." "Original," "Solid," and "Soft" contain the E.V.E.C. colors and Power~Soft. The English voice-bank is meant to resemble a mixture of the retired append, "vivid", and "Original". As such, it sounds drastically different than the previous English vocal. It can be purchased in a bundle, or as a separate purchase similar to her V3 release and Kagamine Rin/Len V4X.

An 7th vocal "Chinese (Mandarin)" is in production.

Uni

Uni is an Korean vocaloid developed by ST Media and was released in February 2017. An English Vocal is in the works, and two expansion vocals, "Power" and "Soft" will be released summer 2017 in Korean.

Yuezheng Longya

A Chinese Mandarin male vocal is currently in development. He will be voiced by the Chinese voice actor, Zhang Jie.

Luo Tianyi V4

Tianyi's update production was officially announced on March 12, 2015, and released on July 15, 2016 . In her V4 version, she received a complete re-record of her previous lines, and one additional line.

Cyber Songman

A complementary male vocal for Cyber Diva, released in October 2016.

Critical reception

In 2015, Zero-G reported that Dex and Daina achieved high download numbers.

Crypton Future Media's download website "Sonicwire" reported that the Megurine Luka V4x product had the number 1 position in Vocaloid sales, this would Later be overtaken by Hatsune Miku V4x Bundle.