ASTERIAN (Synthesizer V Studio)

* Digital (Eclipsed Sounds)
* (Dreamtonics (Intl.))
* ((Taobao))

**Digital copies**:

* Eclipsed Sounds
* Dreamtonics (International)
* Dreamtonics (Intl.) (Bundle Set)
* Dreamtonics (Mainland China)
* Dreamtonics (Mainland China) (Bundle Set)
**Lite versions:**

* Dreamtonics
* Eclipsed Sounds

**This article is about the Synthesizer V Studio software known as a voice database. If you are looking for the Synthesizer V character then click here.**

## History

### 2022

On November 14, 2022, Eclipsed Sounds, LLC introduced their new male English vocalist, ASTERIAN, who was voiced by American voice actor and singer Eric Hollaway, and whose production was made possible through the support and sales of SOLARIA, their previous release. At the time of his debut, ASTERIAN's voice database was still being adjusted to improve auto pitch tuning and instant mode performance, though these were not used in the first demo. ASTERIAN was confirmed to be illustrated by Superstellar though he was only shown as a silhouette at the time. His conceptual logo suggested that his theme was based on the "moon", similar to SOLARIA's "sun" theme, which was later confirmed directly from Eclipsed Sounds in response to a fan. According to his webpage, his voice was considered to be a "hard-to-find" voice style, reaffirming the company's commitment to creating more diverse vocalists. ASTERIAN was expected to receive four additional demo songs and bonus content. Meanwhile, Eclipsed Sounds encouraged fans to use "#SynthV\_ASTERIAN" to share their works of him. An FAQ for ASTERIAN was planned to be added to the company's "About Us" webpage. A contest focused on ASTERIAN was also planned, though was stated that it may take time. Pre-orders were to open on November 18 and his projected release date would be revealed later in the week. It was also confirmed that there would be no discount for current SOLARIA owners, however, ASTERIAN would be at a discounted price during his pre-order period, including if buying him and SOLARIA together. A bundle pack pairing him with the Synthesizer V Studio Pro editor would not be available for pre-order. A limited number of physical copies would only be available through the pre-order period and would not be restocked once sold out. A Lite version was confirmed, though, like SOLARIA Lite, it would take more time to produce. Further information about ASTERIAN would be presented in the next week.

On November 17, Eclipsed Sounds tweeted that ASTERIAN's key visual art would be revealed the next day. Digital pre-orders were priced at $79.99 while the bundle with him and SOLARIA was set for 25% off the cart. The limited physical editions were stocked at 200 units and were priced at $110. He was expected to release in early December while his physical copies were expected to ship in February 2023. On November 18, the FAQ page updated to include information about ASTERIAN, including his projected release date of December 3, though this was later corrected to be December 2. ASTERIAN was confirmed to be receiving seven vocal modes, with three revealed to be "Open", "Theatrical", and "Passionate". When updating the site, Eclipsed Sounds announced that there was an internal error that caused the first few orders to charge shipping, leading the company to refund the unintended shipping costs. On November 24, regarding a reference sheet for ASTERIAN, Eclipsed Sounds confirmed that it was still a work in progress and that it would be released when possible. In the subtitles of the fourth demo, "Clear", "Warm, "Gentle", "Strained", "Rough", and "Closed" were confirmed to be the remaining Vocal Modes available for ASTERIAN, bringing the total to nine. Originally, he was meant to have seven. It was later explained that Eclipsed Sounds had hoped that the Vocal Mode samples would be available earlier in development, but were delayed due to complications. To make up for it, pre-order discounts was extended to an additional week after his release. His Lite version was also confirmed to be expected for 2023.

On December 1, Eclipsed Sounds confirmed that ASTERIAN was to release the next day at 12 AM USA EST.

### 2023

On March 1, 2023, Eclipsed Sounds confirmed that ASTERIAN's physical boxes would begin shipping within the next week.

On May 27, Eclipsd Sounds released a webpage for ASTERIAN's demos and vocal information, including a section about his development challenges. It was revealed that he had faced some internal troubles during the development phase as he was more difficult to work on than previous vocals. His deep vocal range required an update to Synthesizer V Studio itself, resulting in version 1.8.1, which Eclipsed Sounds noted that Dreamtonics Co., Ltd. was kind to prepare for them. In addition, Eric Hollaway had to evacuate due to a hurricane during the middle of the recording period. The complications led to a more compressed commercial announcement and promotions than initially planned. The demo composers had to prepare most of the songs before the voice library was completed, impacting the pre-release demonstration set. Regarding ASTERIAN's Lite version, it was noted that it would be released when his song contest was launched, which would take place after he was updated for Synthesizer V Studio version 1.9.0 so he could be easier to use in more genres. It was later added that the contest would be expected to begin sometime after AUDIOLOGIE Co., Ltd.'s song contest ended to avoid overlap.

When asked if ASTERIAN would be distributed through Dreamtonics's International and Taobao stores, Eclipsed Sounds replied that they would like to try to arrange for it to happen, particularly before the release of SAROS, their third vocalist. However, Dreamtonics was prioritizing the production of Synthesizer V Studio version 1.9.0, so the timeframe was uncertain. When asked about the voice selection process, Eclipsed Sounds responded that they knew Eric Hollaway was the perfect choice after hearing him sing for the first time. The company scouted across different social media and casting platforms for ASTERIAN, which was a process that they continued to do for projects after him, and after finding Eric, they were charmed immediately. The company firmly believed that a bass voice was necessary for ASTERIAN's project as, to their knowledge, there were none that were created before as a commercialized synthesized vocal, and this matched their goal in creating voices to fill the gaps of the current ones available.

On October 20, ASTERIAN Lite was released, and his first-anniversary original song contest was also launched, with deadline set to December 1.

On December 7, ASTERIAN was added to the Dreamtonics Store as well as to its Mainland China counterpart on Taobao. Bundles with the Synthesizer V Studio Pro editor were also offered at a discount.

### Updates

ASTERIAN AI v101b - February 7, 2023
A free update for ASTERIAN was released following the Synthesizer V Studio 1.8.1b1 update. This improved the neural vocoder for male vocals in general, which results in an enhanced sound quality and clarity in the bass range.

ASTERIAN AI v101 - February 16, 2023
Final version update compatible for Synthesizer V Studio 1.8.1 and improves the neural vocoder for all male vocals, including ASTERIAN, which results in an enhanced sound quality in the bass range.

ASTERIAN AI v102b1 - June 21, 2023
A free update for ASTERIAN was released following the Synthesizer V Studio 1.9.0 update. This implemented the new rap feature available for the English and Mandarin languages. Cantonese Chinese was added to the Cross-lingual Singing Synthesis feature as well as general improvements to the overall function, resulting in more accurate pronunciation that sounds closer to a native speaker when singing foreign words.

For ASTERIAN specifically:

* His Vocal Modes' strength and realism were increased and normalization of Vocal Mode audio were improved.
* His base tone became somewhat stronger.
* His lowest notes became clearer with less distortion, extending his low range to C2. His high range was improved, removing the "gap" between his falsetto and core ranges.
* His enunciation with short notes and faster songs was improved.
* The new vibrato modulation slider in singing mode allowed users to quickly reduce the strength of his natural vibrato.

ASTERIAN AI v102 - July 6, 2023
Final version update compatible for Synthesizer V Studio 1.9.0 and enables ASTERIAN to use the rap feature (English and Mandarin Chinese only), allow for Cantonese Chinese Cross-lingual Singing Synthesis, and improve his Vocal Modes, tone, clarity, quality, range, and enunciation (as listed in v109b1's notes) if the beta version was not installed previously.

ASTERIAN AI v103b1 - August 2, 2023 A free update for ASTERIAN was released following the Synthesizer V Studio 1.10.0b1 update. This enhanced pitch generation by utilizing Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback (RLHF), translating to fewer off-key errors, making better use of vibrato, and creating more expressive transitions between notes. This also allowed for the use of the new "Enhancement" slider in the AI Retakes panel, which controlled the level of changes introduced by RLHF. For Synthesizer V Studio Pro users, feedback submission was enabled, allowing users to consensually share their preferred takes with only Dreamtonics for research and development purposes, where models trained with this feedback would be deployed in future voice database updates. Users may also opt out of this feature if undesired.

ASTERIAN AI v103b2 - September 28, 2023 A free update for ASTERIAN was released following the Synthesizer V Studio 1.10.0b2 update, which was the second beta version following version 1.10.0b1 that introduced enhancements to voice databases and integrated the latest user feedback via Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback (RLHF). Regarding the editor, numerous reported issues were addressed for a more fluid experience. A new generation of pitch models were trained using the extensive feedback from users over the past month, and the new models offered greater accuracy in voice timbre reproduction, as well as a reduction in mispronunciations. Dreamtonics also focused on issues from the previous beta release that made Vocal Modes seem less distinct on certain vocals, ensuring clearer differentiation in the 1.10.0b2 update. The latest update also introduced a new feature in the Note Properties Panel that allowed for even division of a note into multiple syllables, proving to be a useful tool for songs with faster tempos.

ASTERIAN AI v103 - October 19, 2023 Final version update compatible for Synthesizer V Studio 1.10.0 and enables ASTERIAN to use Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback (RLHF) as well as other enhancements (as listed in v103b1 and v103b2's notes) if the beta version was not installed previously.

ASTERIAN AI v104 - October 26, 2023 A free update for ASTERIAN was released that added support for the Japanese language to the rap feature.

ASTERIAN AI v105b1 - December 18, 2023
A free update for ASTERIAN was released following the Synthesizer V Studio 1.11.0b2 update. This implemented support for the Spanish language in the Cross-Lingual Singing Synthesis feature.

## Voice Database Information

### Voice Databases

Product Information
**Optimum**

  **Tempo:** 80 ~ 160 BPM  **Range:** C2 ~ D4 (core); G4 ~ C5 (falsetto) as of v102b1
**Versions**

  **Lite Version/FLT Available?:** Yes (Lite)  **Starter Pack Available?:** Yes  **Web Version Available?:** No
**Package details** as noted:

ASTERIAN is a masculine English voice database with an American accent and a warm bass. As expected of an AI voice database, this enables him to sing with a more human-like, natural, and realistic voice. He was described to have a smooth bass range and an emotive higher register with a natural falsetto. His singing style is based on the voice actor and singer Eric Hollaway.

Upon purchasing ASTERIAN, the following items were included:

* Bonus images: 2 key artwork and reference sheet by Superstellar
* Example files: edited and unedited versions of the demo songs optimized for both Synthesizer V Studio Basic and Pro editors.

**Vocal traits** as noted:

* According to Eclipsed Sounds' website, ASTERIAN's voice was described to be a "usually hard-to-find" voice style. He was also advertised to be flexible and suit a wide variety of styles and genres.
* According to his FAQ page on November 18, 2022, ASTERIAN's core range at the time was listed as E2 ~ D4. He had a pleasant falsetto around G4 ~ C5. These were later confirmed to be the final ranges.
* With the Auto Pitch Tuning and Instant Mode functions, this would allow the voice database to bring Eric Hollaway's signature vocal style, skill and natural charm to any production.
* According to Eclipsed Sounds, when using ASTERIAN for more powerful compositions, he was noted to be a resonant and commanding bass vocal that fronts even the most dramatic songs.
* With Diffusion Probabilistic Models (DPM), ASTERIAN can sing more realistically through changes in volume and breath, further enriching singing details, making each singing unique, and providing creators with more options. Through this mode, he can use AI Retakes to create multiple "takes" of a sung section to find an ideal vocal without the need for "laborious tuning". This feature is only available in the Synthesizer V Studio Pro Editor.
	+ This does not apply to the Lite version.

**Phonetic notes** as noted:

* Phoneme format: ARPABET
* Through Cross-lingual Singing Synthesis, ASTERIAN can sing in not only English but also in Japanese and Mandarin Chinese. Since the release of his v102b1 update on June 21, 2023, he can also sing in Cantonese Chinese with this feature; since his v105b1 update on December 18, he can also sing in Spanish with this feature. Cross-lingual Singing Synthesis is only available in the Synthesizer V Studio Pro Editor.
	+ This does not apply to the Lite version, thus restricting the voice database to English only.
* Bonus scripts include 2 tools for Synthesizer V Studio Pro users: changing track color and English phoneme reference. Dictionaries to support German and Italian via English phonetics were added on December 31, 2022, though these were noted to be created programmatically and would not be perfect in every circumstance.
	+ On August 4, 2023, Eclipsed Sounds acknowledged that the scripts were not compatible with macOS Ventura (version 13+). A replacement would be investigated as soon as possible.
	+ With the inclusion of track colors as of Synthesizer V Studio 1.10.0b1, Eclipsed Sounds announced that they would discontinue their own track color script and remove it from download once the final version of 1.10.0 was made available.
	+ New bonus files that were planned for distribution with SAROS would be added to SOLARIA's and ASTERIAN's distributions.

**Vocal Modes** as noted (Synthesizer V Studio Pro Editor only):

* The paid version of ASTERIAN comes with nine variations:
	+ "**Clear**": Provides a degree of brightness and thinned out some additional resonance in the voice. Using this in small amounts helps cut through a mix. In large amounts, the vocal's tone changed more drastically. Suggested combinations include "Open" to bring out more enunciation in "Open"'s rounded and dramatic style, and "Strained" to create a bright and tense tone.
	+ "**Warm**": Adds a degree of brightness and a more subtle characteristic that significantly reduced the roundness of his pronunciation, giving an impression that he was smiling. This lent itself more of a "pop" singing style when used along with other tones. Suggested combinations include "Clear" to bring him to his brightest, which is best for Pop genres, and "Gentle" to provide the softest tone.
	+ "**Gentle**": The softest Vocal Mode. Significantly mellows out the voice, warming the tone while also creating a pleasant breathiness. In smaller amounts, this can soften most other Vocal Modes. Suggested combinations include "Warm" to make his voice calmer and relaxed which is suitable for laid-back songs, and "Passionate" to mellow out his natural tone without fully sounding soft while enhancing his tone.
	+ "**Strained**": Adds a significant degree of tension and is particularly noticeable in the upper register. Can brighten the vocal track and add a little more character to the song when mixed with other Vocal Modes. With other adjustments, it can produce raspy lines. Suggested combinations include "Rough" to bring out more grit and intensity, "Passionate" to find a middle ground between tension and performance, and "Clear" to bring out more raspiness.
	+ "**Rough**": A somewhat experimental Vocal Mode that adds a degree of grit and power. Works best in combination with other Vocal Modes where effects can be more subtle. On its own, it could also create a very different tone. Suggested combinations include "Open" and "Strained".
	+ "**Open**": Provides a much more resonant and choral sound compared to the default settings. Using it in small amounts could round out pronunciation into a more classical style. In large amounts, it could create a dramatic performance. Suggested combinations include "Passionate" to calm the degree of intensity from "Open" while still be able to leverage its powerful tone, and "Theatrical" for the most operatic and dramatic sound.
	+ "**Closed**": Considered the most unusual Vocal Mode when used alone. Gives the voice a more nasal and mumbly quality. Best used in small amounts to adjust the openness of other Vocal Modes. To improve mixing quality, it was suggested that users could try the separated Aspiration Output settings in the render panel to isolate aspiration. Suggested combinations include "Warm" to create a sound more ideal for musical styles (examples: ambient, soft jazz, lo-fi), "Gentle" to add more of a dynamic impression, and "Strained" to add a more nasally factor.
	+ "**Passionate**": Closest to the default tone, but adds a subtle degree of style and performance. Could generally be used to boost the voice's emotive quality, elevating the tone of most other Vocal Modes. It could function as "ASTERIAN+" in this way. Suggested combinations include "Strained" to add more tension and brightness, "Clear" to somewhat brighten his tone and improve the simplicity of integrating his vocals in the mixing process, and "Warm" to add a fuller tone.
	+ "**Theatrical**": The most open and operatic Vocal Mode with a uniquely dramatic quality suitable for more intense songs. When combined with "Open", the effect could be increased further. Could also be differently stylized when blended with modes such as "Gentle" or "Closed". Suggested combinations include "Open" for the most operatic and dramatic sound that's ideal for cinematic usages or chanting lines, "Strained" to create a more emotional performance which is ideal for more dramatic pieces, and "Rough" to create a unique and gritty tone alongside more cinematic sounds.

**Software issues** as noted:

* Regarding the gap between the core and falsetto ranges, Eclipsed Sounds explained that there was some lower-quality output. Above the core range, the notes were noisier, which was to be expected when an AI singer went out of range, and the note right below the falsetto range did not "quite hit falsetto tone right". The company noted that advanced users may make this gap of notes work. Since ASTERIAN's v102b1 update, this gap was removed due to improvements to his high range.

**System requirements** as noted:

* **OS**: Windows 11/10/8.1 or later, Mac OS X 10.11 or later, Ubuntu 18.04 or later (64bit)
* **RAM**: 2GB or higher
* **CPU**: Intel Core i5 or equivalent AMD processor
	+ **For editing AI in high quality mode**: 4th Generation Intel Core i5 series or later, AMD Athlon X4 845 or later, including Ryzen

**License agreements** as noted:

* Synthesizer V ASTERIAN License Agreement - English
* Regarding the Lite version:
	+ ASTERIAN Lite may not be used commercially in any way
	+ In uploaded works using the Lite version, the user must indicate in the upload title or prominently in the description or associated text that they used "ASTERIAN Lite"
	+ Users may not attribute this vocal to any other source other than "ASTERIAN Lite" or "Synthesizer V ASTERIAN Lite"

**Voice database sample**

## References

1. ↑ https://twitter.com/eclipsedsounds/status/1592277700663996419
2. ↑ https://twitter.com/eclipsedsounds/status/1592246126962302978
3. ↑ https://twitter.com/eclipsedsounds/status/1592254163794407424
4. ↑ https://twitter.com/eclipsedsounds/status/1592248352804331520
5. ↑ https://www.eclipsedsounds.com/asterian
6. ↑ https://twitter.com/eclipsedsounds/status/1592277702396227584
7. ↑ https://twitter.com/eclipsedsounds/status/1592277694640947201
8. ↑ https://twitter.com/eclipsedsounds/status/1592277698508099585
9. ↑ https://twitter.com/eclipsedsounds/status/1592312949758386176
10. ↑ https://twitter.com/eclipsedsounds/status/1592254434914217985
11. ↑ https://twitter.com/eclipsedsounds/status/1592251039084089344
12. ↑ https://twitter.com/eclipsedsounds/status/1592262968057950208
13. ↑ https://twitter.com/eclipsedsounds/status/1592356675104624640
14. ↑ https://twitter.com/eclipsedsounds/status/1592356261764288513
15. ↑ https://twitter.com/eclipsedsounds/status/1592277694640947201
16. ↑ https://twitter.com/eclipsedsounds/status/1593424359284252674
17. ↑ https://twitter.com/eclipsedsounds/status/1593425466005901312
18. ↑ https://twitter.com/eclipsedsounds/status/1593428419894812672
19. ↑ https://twitter.com/eclipsedsounds/status/1593757974870228993
20. ↑ https://twitter.com/eclipsedsounds/status/1593766708497506306
21. ↑ https://twitter.com/eclipsedsounds/status/1595918891993206784
22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 https://twitter.com/eclipsedsounds/status/1598191243590524928
23. ↑ https://twitter.com/eclipsedsounds/status/1598192090051125249
24. ↑ https://twitter.com/eclipsedsounds/status/1598193008687869953
25. ↑ https://twitter.com/eclipsedsounds/status/1598480808897138688
26. ↑ https://twitter.com/eclipsedsounds/status/1630798883168059394
27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 https://www.eclipsedsounds.com/post/asterian-for-synthesizer-v-studio-demos-range-vocal-information
28. ↑ https://www.eclipsedsounds.com/post/solaria-sundial-illustration-contest-results
29. ↑ https://eclipsedsounds.tumblr.com/post/719575487441158144/will-asterian-be-getting-lite-version-like-solaria
30. ↑ https://eclipsedsounds.tumblr.com/post/719580582213992448/hi-will-asterian-be-also-available-on-the
31. ↑ https://eclipsedsounds.tumblr.com/post/719578639503638528/a-few-questions-i-have-about-asterian-im-looking
32. ↑ https://twitter.com/eclipsedsounds/status/1715486061235782121
33. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/C0iiZsRv4Hr/
34. ↑ https://dreamtonics.com/en/synthesizer-v-studio-1-8-1b1-update/
35. ↑ https://twitter.com/dreamtonics\_en/status/1622505781265563648
36. ↑ https://twitter.com/eclipsedsounds/status/1622975599236218880
37. ↑ https://twitter.com/eclipsedsounds/status/1622975601983520770
38. ↑ https://twitter.com/eclipsedsounds/status/1623127706077372417
39. ↑ https://dreamtonics.com/synthesizer-v-studio-1-8-1-final-update//
40. ↑ https://twitter.com/dreamtonics\_en/status/1626100512675500033
41. ↑ https://dreamtonics.com/synthesizer-v-studio-1-9-0-final-update/
42. ↑ https://twitter.com/dreamtonics\_en/status/1671427830629154816
43. ↑ https://www.eclipsedsounds.com/post/asterian-solaria-beta-update-released-for-synthesizer-v-studio-version-1-9-0
44. ↑ https://www.bilibili.com/read/cv24826703/
45. ↑ https://twitter.com/eclipsedsounds/status/1677076855822721025
46. ↑ https://twitter.com/dreamtonics\_en/status/1686648078571655168
47. ↑ https://t.bilibili.com/825177687051993121
48. ↑ https://dreamtonics.com/synthesizer-v-studio-1-10-0b1-update-enhancing-pitch-generation-with-user-feedback/
49. ↑ https://twitter.com/dreamtonics\_en/status/1707304150059639108
50. ↑ https://dreamtonics.com/synthesizer-v-studio-1-10-0b2-update/
51. ↑ https://dreamtonics.com/synthesizer-v-studio-1-10-0-final-update/
52. ↑ https://dreamtonics.com/synthesizer-v-studio-1-11-0b2-update/
53. ↑ Prior to v102b1.
54. ↑ Originally listed as E2 ~ D4 (core); G4 ~ C5 (falsetto)
55. ↑ https://www.eclipsedsounds.com/about-us
56. ↑ https://shoutout.wix.com/so/b6OLhqkNG?languageTag=en&cid=30e2113e-6e8c-43b4-994f-b04d6d2ca4c7
57. ↑ https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/695380056943493280/1043302456018354316/image.png - ASTERIAN FAQ; Screenshot as of November 18, 2022
58. ↑ https://shoutout.wix.com/so/b6OLhqkNG?languageTag=en&cid=30e2113e-6e8c-43b4-994f-b04d6d2ca4c7
59. ↑ https://twitter.com/eclipsedsounds/status/1687499186667757575
60. ↑ https://twitter.com/eclipsedsounds/status/1687499188253118465
61. ↑ https://twitter.com/eclipsedsounds/status/1687499190316797952
62. ↑ https://twitter.com/eclipsedsounds/status/1597815444349804547