Miku gains a new voice…
The long-awaited English version of popular Vocaloid HATSUNE MIKU has finally been given a release date of 31st August 2013.
The Vocaloid software is a voice synthesizer developed by Crypton Future Media that allows users to add vocals to their own songs. Hatsune Miku emerged as part of Crypton Media’s Character Vocal Series and debuted on 31st August 2007. Miku’s voice was sampled from Japanese voice actress Saki Fujita. Via outlets such as Japan’s Nico Nico Douga website, Miku began to become popular through user-created songs and videos. This included a simple video of Miku holding a leek while singing ‘Ievan Polkka’ which led to a boom in many other user-created and collaborative projects based around Miku.
Miku’s popularity has also led to the virtual star staging her own concerts in which a live band performs with a projected Miku on stage.
An English version of Hatsune Miku was announced as far back as 2011 with a possible 2012 release date mooted. Debate about the move to the new Vocaloid 3 engine and issues with adapting Miku to English have been attributed to the delay. In our exclusive interview with Crypton Media CEO Hioryuki Itoh last year, he was very coy about announcing any details ahead of schedule. However, in July this year Crypton Media announced a Summer release for the English version, along with a dedicated website.
The English Hatsune Miku software is available in both Windows and Mac formats, marking the first time Miku has been available for the Mac platform. This all-in-one package includes vocal editor Piapro Studio VSTi, PreSonus Studio One Artist Piapro Edition, and over 200 virtual instruments. Initially this will be available as a download version only with details of a package version to follow.
Release Date: 31st August 2013
Price: 149 USD (excl. tax)*
International Package Version TBA
*Official Price of SONICWIRE [Crypton Online Store Service]
Distributor Information:
For North/South America: Big Fish Audio / http://www.bigfishaudio.com/
For Europe: Best Service / http://www.bestservice.de/
For Taiwan: E-Capsule Distribution / http://www.ectw.net/CFM/
For Japan & other territories: SonicWire.com Online Store (Official Crypton Service) / http://www.sonicwire.com
More Info:
http://piapro.net/vocaloid/mikuv3e.html
