Utau: Difference between revisions
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A number of [[Plug-in (computing)|plug-ins]] for the software have also been developed by users of the software which add and enhance the vocals of the software. |
A number of [[Plug-in (computing)|plug-ins]] for the software have also been developed by users of the software which add and enhance the vocals of the software. |
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A [[Mac OS|Mac]] version is said to also be worked on, however the software ''"Sugarcape"'', based on the same freeware intention as UTAU, has already entered beta stage.<ref>[http://sugarcape.net/ link]</ref> |
A [[Mac OS|Mac]] version is said to also be worked on, however the software ''"Sugarcape"'', based on the same freeware intention as UTAU, has already entered beta stage.<ref>[http://sugarcape.net/ link]</ref> Later, the MAC OS version finally was released.<ref>[http://www.vocaloidism.com/2011/05/29/utau-for-mac-utau-synth/ link]</ref> |
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===Usage in music=== |
===Usage in music=== |
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Revision as of 13:05, 29 May 2011
| Initial release | March 2008 |
|---|---|
| Stable release | 0.2.76
|
| Operating system | Windows 2000 / XP / Vista / 7 Mac OS X |
| Available in | Japanese |
| Type | Musical Synthesizer Application (Music sequencer) |
| License | Shareware (by donations) |
| Website | utau-synth |
UTAU (stylized and most often referred to as UTAU) is a Japanese singing synthesizer application created by Ameya/Ayame. This program is similar to the Vocaloid software, with the difference that this is it is freeware instead of being released under third party licensing.[1]
Overview
In March 2008, Ameya/Ayame released UTAU, a free, advanced support tool shareware software that was made free to download from its main website. UTAU, meaning "to sing" in Japanese, has its origin in "Jinriki Vocaloid" (人力ボーカロイド, Manual Vocaloid). It was created by re-editing an existing singing voice, extracting tones as WAV files and reassembling them. UTAU has the ability to create a unique voice, so that one can be synthesized by introducing song lyrics and melody. The program has at least 50 different usable audio files, composed of Japanese syllables. It comes with the company's "AquesTalk" pre-loaded, which allows any user to load their own voice data to be programed for usage within UTAU. UTAU also includes tools for tone, among other functions. As a default, UTAU features the computer synthesized voice Utane Uta (commonly known as Defoko), pre-loaded. Voices synthesized in the UTAU program are officially called "UTAU" as well but often colloquially known as "UTAUloids", a pun on "Vocaloids". Hundreds of voicebanks have already been developed by independent users. These voicebanks are normally distributed directly from their creators via internet download.
UTAU is mostly a Japanese program and thus many voices are written specifically for the Japanese language. However, the languages have been expanded and there are many bilingual UTAUloids, mostly singing in Japanese and English. While there are a high number of bilingual UTAU, multilingual UTAU have also been made that can sing in three or more languages. A few notable creators have also developed some that are capable of singing in as many as 15 languages. Regardless of the language, the software menus remain in Japanese and a users computer must support Japanese text or AppLocale in order to run the software. Most of its documentation is in Japanese, but its User Manual has been translated into English.[2] Recently, the program has been user translated to English, and other translations are still pending. Even with the translations still require for the computer to support japanese text.
Files containing sample placement, pitch, and tempo are saved under the ".ust" extension. These files can be freely distributed, allowing different UTAU with sufficient voicebanks to sing the same piece. It is important to make note of the guidelines the UST creator has provided in terms of the .usts distribution and use. Song sampliers have developed several different methods of producing their sound banks and results for the voicebanks vary beecause of this.[3]
Three well known UTAU voices include: Teto Kasane, who became famous after being released posing as a Vocaloid, Uta Utane/Defoko, the default voice in UTAU, and Momo Momone. All three voices were significant for being the first three released to the public for the software.
Cultural impact
Though the software is very popular in Japan, its origins and cultural impact are owed to the already established popularity of the Vocaloid software. UTAU itself was first made famous when the creator of Teto Kasane released the character posing as a Vocaloid character as part of an April Fool's joke in 2008. The influence of the Vocaloid software also led to both programs commonly being used side by side. Often popular UTAU mascots like Teto Kasane appear in Vocaloid-based media such as Maker Hikōshiki Hatsune Mix.
Its main attraction is not only based on it being freely distributed on the internet, but because it allowed a user to insert their own voice into the database for use for music, opening the doors for users to further develop their own music. UTAU owes its growing popularity to its ability to provide a free method of creating voices for music use and has established a large number of music producers working with the software on sites such as Nico Nico Douga and YouTube. Users also see it as an alternative to the Vocaloid software, which only offers a more limited supply of voices at a costly price and may not offer the voice types they are seeking for music, as the large database of voices often has a much greater chance of offering the voice they seek. However, despite the number of voicebanks offered, the software has overall far fewer producers working with it than Vocaloid.[4]
A radio station set up a 1 hour program containing nothing but Vocaloid and UTAU-based music.[5]
Related software
Unlike Vocaloid, UTAU files are not restrictive. It is possible to Open-source license products such as those produced for the Macne series (Mac音シリーズ), released for the programs Reason 4 and GarageBand, into the program. These products were sold by Act2 and by converting their file format, were able to also work with the UTAU program.[6]
The default voicebank "Defoko" (Uta Utane) borrows her voice from the software AquesTalk, specifically the voice "AquesTalk Female-1" produced by A-quest. Premission had been granted for her distribution free with the software.[7] Koe Utane, Uta's "sister" product also borrows her voice from the AquesTalk software.
Due to the software's own copyright agreement, non-open license software such as VOCALOID is not permitted to be imported into the UTAU software.
A number of plug-ins for the software have also been developed by users of the software which add and enhance the vocals of the software.
A Mac version is said to also be worked on, however the software "Sugarcape", based on the same freeware intention as UTAU, has already entered beta stage.[8] Later, the MAC OS version finally was released.[9]
Usage in music
The licensed songs from the album Graduation from Lie featuring Teto Kasane were released for music downloads from Karen-T, under Crypton Future Media, as a special release. This is the first licensed release of any UTAU.[10]
References
- ^ "歌声合成ツールUTAU" (in Japanese). Utau. Retrieved July 9, 2010.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|trans_title=ignored (|trans-title=suggested) (help) - ^ English translation of the UTAU User Manual
- ^ link
- ^ link
- ^ "NHK の本気!ボカロラジオ「エレうた」の高き志" (in Japanese). ASCII Media Works. February 5, 2011. Retrieved February 25, 2011.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|trans_title=ignored (|trans-title=suggested) (help) - ^ "Mac音ナナ シリーズ" (in Japanese). Act2. Retrieved July 9, 2010.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|trans_title=ignored (|trans-title=suggested) (help) - ^ link
- ^ link
- ^ link
- ^ "Kasane Teto "Graduation from Lie"" (in Japanese). Crypton Future Media. Retrieved October 2, 2010.