Sweet Ann
| File:Sweetannbox.jpg The original package for Sweet Ann | |
| Developer(s) | PowerFX |
|---|---|
| Initial release | June 29, 2007 |
| Operating system | Windows |
| Platform | PC |
| Available in | English |
| Type | Vocal Synthesizer Application |
| License | Proprietary |
| Website | Website |
Sweet Ann is an English speaking Vocaloid by PowerFX. Her name is a pun based on her origins, meaning that Sweet-Ann = Swe-den. She was released as the first voice for Vocaloid 2. Her voice provider is known only by the name "Jody" who came from Australia.
Development
Sweet Ann was originally aimed to be released for Vocaloid. She was often sighted in early manuals under the name of "Jodie" alongside "Taro" and "Hanako", the codenames of Kaito and Meiko. She was released as the first Vocaloid from the company PowerFX. She was released on June 29, 2007 in Europe and later in Japan on September 21, 2007 by Crypton Future Media.[1] She was also released in Taiwan on September 7, 2011, her boxart was reworked for the Taiwan market.[2] Her voice was well received by Sound on Sound magazine and she was praised as an improvement over past Vocaloids where she was described as sounding "sassy" who was capable of being used "for a range of supporting vocal tasks".[3]
A later Vocaloid called "Big Al" was created to act as her counterpart.
Sweet Ann was later used as a reference in the development of the Hatsune Miku English vocal.[4]
Sweet Ann's most notable use was in the anime Nichijou.
Characteristics
She is loosely based on "The Bride of Frankenstein". Her staples (or stitches) are often mistaken for a choker.[5] She was sold as a "The Space-lounge robo vocalist sensation". Her boxart was based on the movie poster for Stormy Weather and is an edited picture of late singer Lena Horne.
When she was exported to Taiwan, E-capsule gave her the following biography details. Her original PowerFX release had no biography attached to it at all.
| Name | Sweet Ann |
| Age | 23 |
| Height | 162 cm / 5 ft 4 in |
| Weight | 46 kg / 101 lb |
| Suggested Tempo Range | 65-155 bpm |
| Suggested Vocal Range | C3-C5 |
See also
References
- ^ "クリプトン - SWEET ANN / BOX（音楽ソフトウエア）". Retrieved 27 April 2016.
- ^ "Welcome to Power FX.net". Retrieved 27 April 2016.
- ^ "PowerFX Vocaloid 2 Sweet Ann". Retrieved 27 April 2016.
- ^ 【初音ミク】 HATSUNE MIKU V3 Release Special Interview 【HATSUNE MIKU】. 27 September 2013. Retrieved 27 April 2016 – via YouTube.
- ^ [1] Engloid Blog - Interview: Bil Bryant (Production and CEO of PowerFX)