What is a vocaloid?


I don't really understand what a vocaloid is so, what is a vocaloid? Is it an
anime? If not, how is it related to anime? Is it a singer? If so, is it a real
person (because someone told me that some are but mostly are just machine-
created voices)?




Vocaloid is a piece of software used to model a human singing voice. Users can
create music with the software by putting in a backing track and giving the
Vocaloid program a set of lyrics to sing.

![](https://i.stack.imgur.com/IckWy.jpg)
![](https://i.stack.imgur.com/WOVrY.png)

While many Vocaloid (And similar software) mascots are anime-styled, there are
no actual animes that include them as a main role.

There have been some fan-based mangas however - [Chibi Miku-
san](http://mangag.com/comics/chibimiku/) (A 4-Panel manga) and the previously
mentioned [Hatsune
Mix](http://vocaloid.wikia.com/wiki/Maker_Hik%C5%8Dshiki_Hatsune_Mix)

![Hatsune Mix](https://i.stack.imgur.com/4M0Iw.jpg)

Vocaloid Merchandise also overlaps a bit with typical anime merchandise,
including figurines, plushies, bags, etc.

![](https://i.stack.imgur.com/RzYwS.jpg)

Vocaloid songs are all created by the software, although sometimes they may
star some actual singers too, but the term Vocaloid is referring to the
software.

[More Info](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vocaloid)

Vocaloid was a significant breakthrough in music technology, the software now
offers a cheaper alternative to professional singers and the versatility of
getting harmonics and etc exactly perfect to the way the composer envisaged it
(rather than adapting it to suit a singer's voice).

It also was a significant breakthrough for hobbyist musicians, making a lot
more songs feasible without leaving the home. This was especially important
for the ones who can't sing :p




Vocaloid is a piece of software used to model a human singing voice. Users can
create music with the software by putting in a backing track and giving the
Vocaloid program a set of lyrics to sing.

![](https://i.stack.imgur.com/IckWy.jpg)
![](https://i.stack.imgur.com/WOVrY.png)

While many Vocaloid (And similar software) mascots are anime-styled, there are
no actual animes that include them as a main role.

There have been some fan-based mangas however - [Chibi Miku-
san](http://mangag.com/comics/chibimiku/) (A 4-Panel manga) and the previously
mentioned [Hatsune
Mix](http://vocaloid.wikia.com/wiki/Maker_Hik%C5%8Dshiki_Hatsune_Mix)

![Hatsune Mix](https://i.stack.imgur.com/4M0Iw.jpg)

Vocaloid Merchandise also overlaps a bit with typical anime merchandise,
including figurines, plushies, bags, etc.

![](https://i.stack.imgur.com/RzYwS.jpg)

Vocaloid songs are all created by the software, although sometimes they may
star some actual singers too, but the term Vocaloid is referring to the
software.

[More Info](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vocaloid)

Vocaloid was a significant breakthrough in music technology, the software now
offers a cheaper alternative to professional singers and the versatility of
getting harmonics and etc exactly perfect to the way the composer envisaged it
(rather than adapting it to suit a singer's voice).

It also was a significant breakthrough for hobbyist musicians, making a lot
more songs feasible without leaving the home. This was especially important
for the ones who can't sing :p

