VOCALOID5

VOCALOID5 (commonly shortened to "V5") is the successor to the VOCALOID4 engine by the company YAMAHA Corporation.
The software was released on July 12, 2018.
==History==
The first hint that VOCALOID5 was about to be released appeared in late June 2018 when the announcement of several VOCALOID retirements were being made at the VOCALOID SHOP. Many took this as speculation as to preparation for a new upcoming version of the engine, as this happened when VOCALOID3 was replaced with VOCALOID4, and several things occurred including a website overhaul.https://www.vocaloid.com/en/articles/info_201807
The first official "leak" also appeared in the form of Haruno Sora, a VOCALOID/VOICEROID by AH-Software Co. Ltd., whose Amazon description referred to her as a "VOCALOID5" vocal. The release date was noted to be July 26, 2018, indicating that VOCALOID5 may be released before or on the same day.https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B07DZY25M8https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B07F15QH4Nhttps://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B07F17C5YK
VOCALOID5 was later released on July 12, 2018, hours after both the website updated and Sora was leaked. This new version introduced 4 new vocals: Amy, Chris, Kaori, and Ken. VOCALOID5 was confirmed to release in two versions: Standard and Premium. Standard included the new 4 vocals while Premium included the same vocals in addition to CYBER DIVA II, CYBER SONGMAN II, VY1, and VY2. Amy, Chris, Kaori, and Ken replaced the VY series and acted as the new Yamaha standard vocals.
An upgrade offer was allowed for all versions of VOCALOID3 and VOCALOID4 to the new VOCALOID5 version, including VOCALOID NEO and VOCALOID Editor for Cubase. In the past offers had only been given to direct upgrades from each engine version to the next.
An upgrade offer was given to those who purchased the "IA DAW PACKAGE". This would upgrade the engine side of the package to VOCALOID5, though IA remains a VOCALOID3 vocal.http://tumblr.1stplace.co.jp/post/175810406607/ia-daw
In addition to the departure of PowerFX Systems AB., Internet Co., Ltd. confirmed they were not making any V5 voicebanks.https://x.com/Manaboy223/status/1091947942766956544
===Updates===
* Ver.5.0.2 was a general stability fix as well as fixing a few bugs that either cause crashing or glitches.https://www.vocaloid.com/en/news/vocaloid5_updater_5_0_2/
* Ver 5.0.3 was a fix for stability and performance improvements as well as for correcting crashing issues.https://www.vocaloid.com/en/news/vocaloid5_updater_5_0_3/
* Ver.5.2.0 was a major update to the engine. The most notable updates were the introduction of multicore / multithreading part rendering and improved processing skill of Singing Skill. It also introduced new features to the media parts including saving the key and tempo, saving .WAV files as media, and transposing non-wav media files into different keys, adding media by double clicking and sampling it by single clicking. It is also possible to download new media if available from the program's startup. Some phrases were also renamed. It improved tag narrowing for searching and added a reset button to clear tag navigation. Functionality for lengthening and shortening phrases and parts by either double or half tempo were added. For the VST/AU ReWire version for DAWs it added support for changing song position, turning on/off loop, and adjusting the loop range.https://www.vocaloid.com/en/news/vocaloid5_updater/
* Ver.5.2.1 provided general improvements to stability.
* Ver.5.3.1 gave some supplementary abilities while editing and stability improvements.https://www.vocaloid.com/en/news/vocaloid5_updater_ver_5_3_1/
* Ver 5.4.0 brought some improvements to existing functions and to stability, as well as stability improvements for the 4.5 Editor for Cubase.https://www.vocaloid.com/en/news/vocaloid5_updater_ver_5_4_0/
* Ver 5.4.1 acknowledges the engine is now compatible with macOS Catalina and brings some more stability improvements.https://www.vocaloid.com/en/news/vocaloid5_updater_ver_5_4_1/
* Ver.5.5.0 added a Part/Note Duplication function, improved keyboard note selection and editing scrolling process, revised the activation process and fixed some stability improvementshttps://www.vocaloid.com/news/vocaloid5_updater_ver_5_5_0/
*Ver 5.6.0 improved playback processing, and made it possible to gradually listen to parts from the beginning while rendering; also brought some stability improvements. https://www.vocaloid.com/en/news/vocaloid5_updater_ver_5_6_0/
*Ver 5.6.1 fixed a bug that was introduced on the previous update, which caused some Spanish phonetic symbols to not be converted properly. https://www.vocaloid.com/en/news/vocaloid5_updater_ver_5_6_1/
* Ver 5.6.2 fixed a bug of sound cutting off at the end of the first part when VOCALOID part was used continuously over two parts in the same track.https://www.vocaloid.com/en/news/vocaloid5_updater_ver_5_6_2/
* Ver 5.7.0 permits users to use properly both VOCALOID5 and VOCALOID6 on the same machine, without overwriting some data. The update was released alongside the VOCALOID6 release.https://www.vocaloid.com/en/news/support_002
* Ver 5.7.1 fixes a loading bug on MacOS 10.13 Ventura for the VSTi/AU version and a bug of incorrect recognition of the file version of an imported project.https://www.vocaloid.com/en/news/support_09/
* Ver 5.7.2 fixed a bug where VOCALOID5 AU would not open in Logic Pro on macOS 14 Sonoma.https://www.vocaloid.com/en/news/support_22
===Windows 7 Support End===
On the 1st Jan 2020, Yamaha announced Windows 7 support would end. This impacts users with that version of the Windows OS.https://www.vocaloid.com/news/windows7_support_end/
== Requirements ==
*OS: Windows 10, Windows 8/Windows 8.1, Windows 7, OS X 10.13, macOS 10.12, macOS 10.11 (64bit only)
*CPU: Intel multi-core processor
*RAM: 8 GB recommended (minimum 4 GB)
*HDD:
**Standard: At least 20 GB
**Premium: At least 35 GB
*Other: Audio device, internet connection (for authentication, deauthentication, software updates, etc.)
*Monitor size:
**Minimum operating environment: 1366 x 768
**Recommended environment: 1920 x 1080
===Additional installation notes===
Note these requirements only apply to the VOCALOID5 engine itself. Users need to check each VOCALOID package and its requirements before installation as some variation may occur between releases. When used as a VST/AU together with a DAW, the operating requirements of the DAW must also be met at the same time.
The license, much like in VOCALOID3 + NEO and VOCALOID4, still allows the user to install on either Windows or Mac, though they can only have one or the other. The software must be uninstalled from its current OS to be able to install on the opposing one. However, note that regardless 1 license of VOCALOID5 is given upon purchase, therefore VOCALOID5 cannot be installed on multiple computers at the same time. This is the same for all voicebanks as well as the engine so while the user can have the installation on either Windows or Mac, they cannot install it on both or multiple computers.https://www.vocaloid.com/en/support/faq/500 
VOCALOID5 installs according to the version of the OS, meaning an English OS will result in the VOCALOID5 interface being in English when installed. Users wanting the software in any other language have to change their language OS to force VOCALOID5 to be installed in that language. This is different to VOCALOID3 and VOCALOID4 where the language was selected upon installation.https://www.vocaloid.com/en/support/faq/509
Ken is the default vocal for VOCALOID5 and the engine will always revert back to his voicebank if an issue occurs, though this can be changed to other vocalists if the user doesn't want him to be the default vocalist.https://www.vocaloid.com/en/support/faq/542
==Releases==
<tabber>
|-|VOCALOID5 = 
|-|Starter Packs = 
</tabber>
===VOCALOID PHRASE PACK SERIES===
In December 2018, Vol.1 of a new series called VOCALOID PHRASE PACK SERIES was released. This expanded the phrases VOCALOID5 contained within its library. Providing the user had the VOCALOID5 engine, these would be released for free. They are similar to the past VOCALOID-P data series and like the previous series are supportive examples of Vocaloid capabilities. 
A second pack was released on the 22nd of April 2019.https://www.vocaloid.com/news/adding_phrases_vol2/
FBV1.png|Future Bass vol.1
THV1.png|Tech House vol.1
TRV1.png|Trap vol.1
AIV1.png|Arabic Indie vol.1 
FBV2png.png|Future Bass vol.2
FPV1.png|Future Pop vol.1
DHV1.png|Deep House vol.1
RBV1.png|RnB vol.1
chill-outSP.png|Chill out vol.1
drumnbassSP.png|Drum'n Bass
arabic-indi-SP2.png|Arabic Indie vol.2
RBSPv2.png|RnB vol.2
==Additional notes==
===Examples of usage===
An example of using VOCALOID5 technology. See also, a listing of vocal stats here
To contribute an example- see this blog entry to download the VSQx. 
Amy 	Chris
Kaori 	Ken
CYBER DIVA II 	CYBER SONGMAN II
VY1 	VY2
Haruno Sora (Natural)	MEIKA Hime
MEIKA Mikoto 	Luo Tianyi V5 (Meng)
YANHE V5 (Qing) 	Yuezheng Ling V5 (Chi)
===New features===
For a list of VOCALOID5s new parameters see Parameters
In addition to importing VOCALOID3 vocals, VOCALOID4 vocals can be imported.
As mentioned, all new purchases of VOCALOID5 come with 4 vocals: Amy, Chris, Kaori, and Ken. This is a first for any new version of the engine. Outside of "Starter Pack" versions, Vocaloid has always come with no vocals included with the standard editor. Therefore, any new VOCALOID user can get started without having to purchase additional vocals. This also means every user who purchases VOCALOID has access to both English and Japanese voicebanks.
In addition, the VOCALOID software now comes with 1,000 lines of pre-set text for both Japanese and English voicebanks and 1,000 audio samples. In terms of the sample text, the text given will be dependent on the vocalist. For example if Amy is selected then only the English phrases will appear. But if Ken is selected, only the Japanese ones will appear. These are mostly used to easily create .
10 pre-set "singing styles" are able to be used and so are 11 audio effects. When choosing the singer, a list of pre-set "types" (including "Breath", "Looped", "Robotic", etc) appears. The "Types" can then be coloured to give an expressive tone (this function is similar to the "colour" adjustments made via ), such as adding Growl, Brightness, etc. This allows all vocalists within VOCALOID5 to produce a unique tone suitable to the user's needs. Note that as with any such function (see ), some vocals do not handle some combinations; one may handle "Robotic" better than another. Trial and error is involved like anything else and recommended tempo/vocal range still play a part in results. Many of these are similar or reused from the VOCALOID NET service.
ASIO can now be used as well as an audio stream source, if the audio device supports it. ASIO will result in lower playback latency and smoother audio playback. MIDI Keyboards can be used for real-time recording, though this was part of VOCALOID Editor for Cubase it had not been a feature of VOCALOID itself.
It is AU (Audio Units) Compatible.
===Refinements===
Additional vocals are no longer referred to as "Plug-in Libraries Databases" (VOCALOID2 and VOCALOID3), "VOCALOID libraries" (VOCALOID4), and other names but are now known as "Add-on Voicebanks". A minor change of classification, though the use of "voicebank" is notable. Previously "voicebank" had been used in English speaking communities as a shorthand or common term to refer Vocaloid library database as a simplification. Later the term had slowly seen an increase in usage over time among studios. As noted by Gizmodo unlike all past VOCALOID versions, VOCALOID5 has the engine and VOCALOID Library are now more interlocked with each other, which is why it is now referred to as a "voicebank".https://www.gizmodo.jp/2018/07/vocaloid5.html
A new "Vocaloid4.5" version was offered within VOCALOID5 to VOCALOID Editor for Cubase users which continued the use of the VOCALOID4 Editor for Cubase. This version lets users import VOCALOID5 vocals into the editor. Both versions can be used for the same project.https://www.vocaloid.com/en/support/faq/524
The GUI was overhauled and performance improved during rendering. It is now easier to both adjust perimeters and each has example presets for ease of use. Several of the perimeters have expanded functions for finer adjusting and control.
VOCALOID5 can automatically attempt to insert breaths where expected if the user allows it.https://www.vocaloid.com/en/support/faq/502 GWL can also be treated the same.
VSQ and VSQX files are replaced with VPR file types. This engine can read VPR, VSQX, MIDI (SMF), and WAV files.
The engine now supports up to 32-bit equalising (VOCALOID4 only supporting 16-bit) and up to 192 kHz rates while VOCALIOID4 supported up to 90KHz.
32 tracks can be supported, this is double the amount of all past versions of Vocaloid which only supported 16.
ReWire returns, this was absent since VOCALOID2 as a capability of Vocaloid, being excluded from both VOCALOID3 and VOCALOID4. It is, however, unsupported and may encounter issues.https://www.vocaloid.com/en/support/faq/527 In addition VST (VST2) support returns also having been removed from VOCALOID3 and VOCALOID4. However, VOCALOID5 cannot be used as both a standalone or VSTi, therefore to switch between the two users have to close their current version.https://www.vocaloid.com/en/support/faq/525 VST 3rd party plug-ins are unsupported.https://www.vocaloid.com/en/support/faq/521
DJTECHTOOLS also noted in their review that VOCALOID5 is much more realistic sounding then VOCALOID4.https://djtechtools.com/2018/07/23/yamahas-vocaloid5-wants-to-bring-virtual-vocals-to-every-producer/
VOCALOID5 is better then VOCALOID4 at adjusting the wave form and is suitable for more delicate adjustments. This is especially useful for English Vocaloid voicebanks. Consonants can be checked for their timing and locating problem phonetics is much easier. http://km4osm.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-347.html
===Known issues===
VOCALOID2 vocals are unsupported in this version entirely and a direct V2 → V5 import is impossible.
VOCALOID5 does not support XSY.https://www.vocaloid.com/en/support/faq/532 While few VOCALOIDs were impacted by this greatly, the ARSLOID package was left with two voicebanks "Bright" and "Soft" unable to access XSY. The result is that the pair are left only able to act as low quality voicebanks. The XSY function was replaced with "Styles/colours" which create more stable vocals. While XSY allowed two vocals to be combined to create new ones, depending on the combination, the new vocals were entirely different from the vocals used. Style/colours is more reliable and stable, but does not allow the same level of vocal creation. This mostly impacted those who used XSY for new vocal recreation, but also impacts even those who use XSY for its original intended function, which was allowing smooth transaction between voicebanks. 
VocaListener cannot be used in VOCALOID5.https://www.vocaloid.com/en/support/faq/517 Job Plug-ins are completely unsupported in VOCALOID5.https://www.vocaloid.com/en/support/faq/516
Some issues were found upon initial release including a bug that caused the engine to crash upon exporting and a comparatively longer loading times between editing the file and playback.
An issue with the Ver.5.0.2 update was when dragging the drawn parameters caused the engine to possibly crash. This was fixed in update 5.0.3.
Piapro Studio still works with VOCALOID5, but there were concerns such as Piapro Studio being unable to load the new save file type (.vpr files). MIDI and VSQX files made in Piapro Studio were unusable in VOCALOID5. must be used within VOCALOID5 as if the user wrote manually in VOCALOID4. Updates would continue on Piapro Studio in regard to the release of VOCALOID5.https://blog.sonicwire.com/2018/07/vocaloid5.html Currently the most impacted V4x release is Megurine Luka V4X due to its heavy reliance on Piapro Studio and EVEC. Voicebanks intended for VOCALOID5 did not work with Piapro Studio. As a result, users who rely on the software and wish to move into the VOCALOID5 generation cannot and are restricted on how they can use the software. An update to allow Piapro Studio to function with VOCALOID5 was not planned as Piapro Studio was developed into its own software independent of VOCALOID, and released in August 2020 known as .https://blog.crypton.co.jp/l/2019/08/n1908311/https://x.com/labopton/status/1167698329389551616
Japanese vocals in VOCALOID5 had shown little difference compared to VOCALOID3 and VOCALOID4 vocals. There were no notable changes between VOCALOID4 and VOCALOID5 vocals reported other then a general increase in quality with a natural progression of technology and developer experience. English vocals have been reported to use the same recording methods as developed in past iterations such as VOCALOID4. There was little information and feedback regarding other languages. When reporting on a decision that was made to abstain from upgrading to VOCALOID5, Beijing Photek S&T Development Co., Ltd. noted that among other reasons for not updating to V5, one notable reason was that there was very little change in the development methods and that the Japanese trial edition had no noticeable differences. While comparison of files between V4 and V5 do show differences in synthesized results when subject to user experimentation,https://www.weibo.com/2182360953/I4XsixjbB the issue has existed since VOCALOID3, with VOCALOID3 having been the last major update to Japanese voicebanks and how they work.
It was implied by Yamaha on the update page for VOCALOID5 for 5.7.0 version that the engine versions of VOCALOID5 prior to 5.7.0 would open VOCALOID6 .vpr files as such but would also unintentionally overwrite data, due to saving the file just overwriting it without asking any further confirmation, requiring users using both engine versions to update to 5.7.0 for VOCALOID5, so the engine would save VOCALOID6 .vpr files as new files instead.
==Criticism==
VOCALOID5 is the first engine to have issues with long-standing problems that have existed within the franchise across the past versions. This led to the engine being the first one to see a mixed response which included some heavy negative criticism, as well as long-term issues which became a folly for the franchise's progression. While negative criticisms have always been within the franchise, the consequences of those negative responses had never hugely impacted support for the engine by 3rd-party studios.
===Software Reaction===
In comparisons to the VOCALOID3 to VOCALOID4 update, the VOCALOID5 engine has had a major overhaul and many new features have been presented making it a very different software to past version. The initial first-day reaction was mostly positive for this reason. Upon reviewing it, Gizmodo noted the engine felt much more modern. One of the problems with it was the overall over-realming lack of response to the update compared to past versions.
However, the higher price tag for the engine and the higher computer specification requirement have also been cited as a negative point. In regards to the price, this issue is attenuated if you own one of the previous versions of VOCALOID due to the price to upgrade being much lower than the price to buy VOCALOID5 brand new. Other issues occurred with 2 of the 8 vocals in the Premium version offer, namely VY1 and VY2. Their newer VOCALOID5 versions do not contain the additional vocals that were supplied with VY2v3 and VY1v4. 
; Note; if producers can afford the full premium version, it is recommended over the standard version due to its value for money. Currently, to buy VY1 and VY2 in VOCALOID5 brand-new, they are $90 USD each which means buying both VY1 and VY2 alone would cost $180. However, to buy them in the Premium form, it only costs an extra $129 on top of the price of the Standard version, with the added bonus of gaining access to CYBER DIVA II and CYBER SONGMAN II who are also normally sold at the same price of $90 each. In addition, buying two different English vocals and two different Japanese vocals would cost more than this, making the current Premium version one of the cheapest multipack offers for different vocalists and languages on sale for VOCALOID. However, if you already own any members of the 4 VY series vocals, please note there is not much difference between them and older versions in VY1v4 and VY2v3 have more voicebanks.
The VOCALOID5 editor was, according to one website, quite easy to edit vocals with and get an array of tones even with elder VOCALOID3 or VOCAOID4 vocals. VOCALOID LINK, however, stated that producers may simply be happy with updates to GUMI, Hatsune Miku, Otomachi Una, or to the Chinese Vocaloids (which at this point were as popular as the Japanese Vocaloids) in VOCALOID4, although the last few Chinese Vocaloids have been released to a much less excited response. VOCALOID LINK expressed that there was a feeling of VOCALOID coming to an end because of this slower release trend and many felt it was the end of an era.link
The Macne Twitter account also expressed concerns at the absence of the XSY function and had expressed a desire for it to return themselves.https://x.com/macnenana/status/1017364305438625793
The lack of change for Japanese voicebanks was cited for the first time as a negative response; Beijing Photek S&T Development Co., Ltd. noted in their first impression responses for why they did not continue with the VOCALOID5 software. Criticism was already beginning to be noted by VOCALOID fans over time as releases such as Gackpoid V4 and Rana V4 were not much different to older versions V3 Gackpoid and Rana.
===3rd Party Developer response===
VOCALOID5 was the first engine reported to have a sense of disdain which was unaffected by the inclusion of 4 vocals within the engine. Part of this was to do with the lack of large announcement in comparison to VOCALOID3 nor a rush of new exciting releases for VOCALOID4, with AH-Software Co. Ltd. being the only 3rd party to release a VOCALOID5 vocal by January 2019. AH-Software reported growing sales globally and was expanding on its successful campaign in Germany.https://comemo.nikkei.com/n/nb2b5f62397f5
However, despite AH-Software's response, one of the growing issues with VOCALOID5 was the number of departing studios from the software:
*Upon the release of VOCALOID5, sales of VOCALOID4 ceased as per normal for the updating of a newer engine. Beijing Photek S&T Development Co., Ltd. reported being unable to order more VOCALOID4 sales and after contacting Shanghai HENIAN Information Technology Co. Ltd., they found that SHN had no stock either. This was cited as among the many reasons they shifted to Synthesizer V as it allowed more freedom, although it was normal for YAMAHA to cut off sales of older engines when a newer one is released. However, this the first time it was reported as a problem.
*PowerFX Systems AB. also left, though reasons are currently unconfirmed.
*Internet Co., Ltd. stated they were not producing a VOCALOID5 vocal. They had not stated if they were completely out of the franchise. A later response noted that Internet Co. was not switching engines and may produce some products later on.https://x.com/noboru1963/status/1168971178054168576
*Long term veteran, and the most successful company, Crypton Future Media, Inc. cited they would be releasing their own synthesizer based on Piapro Studio. This marked Hatsune Miku's departure from VOCALOID for the first time since her initially release on August 31, 2007.. This included the departures of MEIKO, KAITO, Kagamine Rin & Len, and Megurine Luka.
*In July 2020, Zero-G Limited responded to a fan confirming that they are not currently making any new VOCALOIDs.https://vocaloid.fandom.com/f/p/4400000000000000426
*Other VOCALOIDs, such as flower and Yuzuki Yukari, opted for new releases on CeVIO, although their departure from VOCALOID is not confirmed as the new releases may coexist with their VOCALOID versions.
*On December 25, 2020, VocaTone announced that they were working in collaboration with Misbah Studios to produce a new voice synthesizer: . Their first two vocalists, Audine and Aurum, were announced.https://x.com/VocaTone/status/1342420884838096901 Aurum was formerly known as "ausgris", a project that was initially introduced as working VOCALOID voicebank in 2016, but did not have a finalized name at the time. For years, ausgris had little information about the progress of his VOCALOID production, and for three years, VocaTone was dedicating time to creating Maghni AI.https://www.facebook.com/214314255378897/posts/2170674656409504/ However, departure from VOCALOID was not explicitly stated.
*In December 2021, when asked about considerations for migration to another engine, Vsinger's official Weibo account answered that they had been long studying and made several voicebank demos with tech providers. Different engines are based on different technologies. VOCALOID was based on sampling, which better reproduced the original voice texture, but was less natural and may be harder to use. AI voicebanks were easier for beginners and sing more naturally, but do not sufficiently reproduce the original voice texture and the voice may also sound as though it was synthesized. Vsinger noted that the voice is the most important part of a virtual singer and was trying to find ways to preserve and reproduce the characters' original voices, wishing to deliver more satisfactory products.https://weibo.com/5582156776/L8E0Cizht
At the time of its release, there was no environment set up for developers, so supported 3rd-party features and functions did not start appearing until the following year in 2019.https://www.dtmstation.com/archives/25192.html
==Gallery==
===Media Gallery===
VOCALOID5 - Debut|Debut Video (English)
VOCALOID5 - Debut (Japanese)|Debut Video (Japanese)
VOCALOID5 - Walkthrough|Walkthrough Video (English)
VOCALOID5 Installation and Authorization (Windows)|Installation guide (Windows, English)
VOCALOID5 Installation and Authorization (Mac)|Installation guide (Mac, English)
The reference manual for this program can be found here.
==References==
==Navigation==
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