VOCALOID is Yamaha's singing synthesizer software, sold as downloadable editors and voicebanks. Users enter a melody and lyrics, pick a voicebank, and the software produces a sung vocal line that can be dropped into a song. The current flagship is the VOCALOID6 Editor, and a Mobile VOCALOID Editor for iPhone and iPad lets creators start experimenting on a phone or tablet. A VOCALOID Changer plugin is also offered, and the PIAPRO character voicebanks give songs a recognizable singer.
Bedroom producers, hobbyist composers, game and video creators, and anyone who writes songs but lacks a singer fit naturally. Beginners can use the tutorials and tips published by Yamaha to learn the basics, while experienced users can upgrade from earlier editions through the upgrade options listed on the official page. The official VOCALOID pages also carry news, support information and download links, which makes it the main place to buy VOCALOID6 and voicebanks. The software has reached its 20th anniversary.
Common uses include writing demo vocals before hiring a singer, producing finished tracks for online release, creating songs for animated videos and games, and building character music around a favorite voicebank. A creator might sketch a chorus in the mobile editor on the train, then finish the arrangement in the desktop editor with a voicebank of choice. Specification pages, upgrade paths including the VX-beta free bundle, and a Try Out VOCALOID section help people evaluate it before buying. Support and update pages help with installation and troubleshooting.
