Yamaha announces Vocaloid2 / Zero-G announces PRIMA

Yamaha has announced a version 2.0 of Vocaloid, which includes major improvements in usability and synthesis quality. Zero-G has also announced that it will be releasing its first Vocaloid2 based product in Spring 2007 - PRIMA, a Classical soprano singer.

Vocaloid2 key features:

• New GUI: The Vocaloid Editor (score editing tool) of Vocaloid2 has a new look with improved user functionality.
• A much more realistic and natural sounding vocal: The synthesis engine of Vocaloid2 uses a different signal processing technique from Version 1, creating a clearer and more natural vocal.
• Realtime Keyboard Performance (VST Instrument): Written lyrics can be assigned a note by touch of a keyboard. Now you can "sing" using a keyboard.
• New functionality and improvements: Much easier to use functionality implemented, which reduces workload in creating music. Existing functionality is also improved.
• Note auditioning: If you press a note, singing with lyrics and pitch will be assigned to the note. Instantly check lyrics and notes.
• Transparent control track: Control track for controlling timbre is transparent, so you can check two parameters at once.
• Toggling between Playback and Rendering: You can specify playback/rendering mode for each track. By rendering the finished track, you can reduce CPU load in playback. Maximum number of tracks is 16.
• Expression control: You can easily specify musical expression (attack and vibrato) with this intuitive user interface.

As with version 1.0, Vocaloid2 will not be released as a Yamaha product. It will be released as a package of Vocaloid singer libraries developed by third party licensees which includes Yamaha's software, and will be sold by the licensee. In Spring 2007 Zero-G will be releasing PRIMA, a Classical soprano singer (more info about PRIMA will appear on the Zero-G website soon). Zero-G hopes to demonstrate the voice at the Frankfurt Musikmesse in late March 2007, but it will not be ready for release until later in the Spring.

Key features

Vocaloid Editor:

• Piano-roll editor.
• Note editing / Automatic phonetic conversion / Phonetic editing / Note auditioning.
• Transparent control track.
• Toggling between playback/rendering.
• Expression control.
• Synchronization with host sequencer through ReWire.

Vocaloid Playback VSTi:

• Playback sequence created with Vocaloid Editor.

Vocaloid Realtime VSTi:

• Keyboard performance with lyrics input in advance.
• 4 polyphonic.