Tsurumaki Maki English (Synthesizer V Studio)

* Physicals
* Digitals

* Complete
* AI Standalone

* Standard
* AI

* AHS Store (AI)
* AHS Store (AI; user discount)
* AHS Store (Complete, Std & AI)
* AHS Store (Std & AI; user discount)
* Amazon (AI)
* Amazon (Complete, Std & AI)
**Digital copies**:

* AHS Store (Std & AI)
* AHS Store (Starter Pack, Std or AI)
* AHS Store (Starter Pack, Std or AI; user discount)
* animate GAMES (AI)
* animate GAMES (Std)
* DLSite (AI)
* DLSite (Std)
* Dwango JP Store (AI)
* Dwango JP Store (Std)
* SONICWIRE (AI)
* SONICWIRE (Std)
* Vector PC Shop (AI)
* Vector PC Shop (Std)
**Lite versions:**

* AHS (Std & AI)
* Dreamtonics (Std & AI)

**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

### 2020

On December 25, 2020, AH-Software Co. Ltd.'s YouTube channel published a video announcing Tsurumaki Maki's *CeVIO AI* and *Synthesizer V AI* voice databases, which featured official illustrations by Umetani Atarō for her CeVIO AI design and Ohmi Chiko for her Synthesizer V AI design. She was announced to have both Japanese and English banks for both engines. It was also announced via livestream that Manami Tanaka was the voice provider instead of Tomoe Tamiyasu, Maki's voice actress for her VOICEROID voicebanks. This was due to a communication error between AH-Software and Tomoe Tamiyasu's management company. The agency would not allow the original voice actress to keep the role, so AH-Software needed to find a new voice provider for Maki. The original voice actress was allegedly not notified of the change in providers during the production of the new banks. AH-Software later released a letter during a press release regarding the situation and asked for support of the new voice provider.

### 2021

On March 30, 2021, reference sheets for Maki were revealed. On May 12, Maki was confirmed to be releasing on June 18. For Synthesizer V Studio, the Japanese and English voice databases were to be available as separate physical packages for both Standard and AI. The lite editions of her voice databases were released on June 3. Maki's full voice databases were released on June 18 as intended.

### 2022

On March 25, 2022, after the implementation of Vocal Modes via Synthesizer V Studio Version 1.6.0., AH-Software announced that other AI voice libraries, such as Tsurumaki Maki, were planned to receive them. On June 30, it was announced that Maki English AI would be receiving a standalone physical package, which was expected to release on July 21, with pre-orders beginning on July 1.

On July 21, Tsurumaki Maki English AI was one of the AI voice databases to receive an update for HDVM compatibility (a feature introduced in Synthesizer V Studio Pro 1.7.0, also released the same day), as well as access to five new Vocal Modes, including: Adult, Breathy, Power\_Pop, Twangy, and Whisper, respectively.

However, some users complained about unstable voice-quality results when re-rendering in 1.7.0 projects saved under earlier versions of the editor that made use of her voice database (after updating it to v106). On July 22, Dreamtonics explained that by default, the AI Retakes feature favors "rich timbre and expressions over smooth and stable vocalization", resulting in inconsistent behavior relative to previous versions; as a workaround to stabilize the voice output, both Dreamtonics and AH-Software offered these steps below:

* Empty the selection.
* Open AI Retakes panel, go to Timbre tab.
* Under Takes -> Global Settings, reduce Expressiveness.

Responding to requests from users, both Dreamtonics and AHS made available for download that same day rolled-back versions of Tsurumaki Maki English AI (as well as other affected AI voice databases distributed by them) by logging in to their respective websites.

### Updates

#### AI - Full Version

Tsurumaki Maki English AI v103 - December 23, 2021
A free update for Tsurumaki Maki English AI was released following the Synthesizer V Studio 1.5.0 update. This enables her to support cross-lingual singing synthesis.

Tsurumaki Maki English AI v106 - July 21, 2022
A free update for Tsurumaki Maki English AI was released following the Synthesizer V Studio 1.7.0 update. This enables her to use the new High Dynamics Voice Models and AI Retakes features, as well as giving her access to the Vocal Modes feature from the 1.6.0 update. Her Vocal Modes are named Adult, Breathy, Power\_Pop, Twangy, and Whisper.

Tsurumaki Maki English AI v104 - July 25, 2022
A free downgrade for Tsurumaki Maki English AI that removes HDVM compatibility, but retains the Vocal Modes introduced in v106.

Tsurumaki Maki English AI v107b1 - November 10, 2022
A free update for Tsurumaki Maki English AI was released following the Synthesizer V Studio 1.8.0b1 update. This enables her to use the new Diffusion Probabilistic Models (DPM) feature.

Tsurumaki Maki English AI v107 - November 24, 2022
Final version update compatible for Synthesizer V Studio 1.8.0 and enables Tsurumaki Maki English AI to use the new Diffusion Probabilistic Models (DPM) feature if the beta version was not installed previously.

Tsurumaki Maki English AI v108b1 - June 21, 2023
A free update for Tsurumaki Maki English AI 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.

Tsurumaki Maki English AI v108 - July 6, 2023
Final version update compatible for Synthesizer V Studio 1.9.0 and enables Tsurumaki Maki English AI to use the rap feature (English and Mandarin Chinese only) and allow for Cantonese Chinese Cross-lingual Singing Synthesis if the beta versions were not installed previously.

Tsurumaki Maki English AI v109b1 - August 2, 2023 A free update for Tsurumaki Maki English AI 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.

Tsurumaki Maki English AI v109b2 - September 28, 2023 A free update for Tsurumaki Maki English AI 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.

Tsurumaki Maki English AI v109 - October 19, 2023 Final version update compatible for Synthesizer V Studio 1.10.0 and enables Tsurumaki Maki English AI to use Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback (RLHF) as well as other enhancements (as listed in v109b1 and v109b2's notes) if the beta version was not installed previously.

Tsurumaki Maki English AI v110 - October 26, 2023 A free update for Tsurumaki Maki English AI was released that added support for the Japanese language to the rap feature.

#### AI Lite

Tsurumaki Maki English AI Lite v101 - June 18, 2021 A free update for Tsurumaki Maki English AI Lite was released to coincide with the Synthesizer V Studio 1.3.0 update.

## Voice Database Information

### Voice Databases

* Standard
* AI

Product Information
**Optimum**

  **Genre:** Band Music, Rock, & Pop  **Range:** A#3 ~ F5  **Pitch Group:** C4, D#4, G#4, C5
**Versions**

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

Maki is a feminine English voice database voiced by Manami Tanaka. She is noted to have a fast attack and articulation, as well as a clear, energetic, and cute voice. According to AH-Software, this voice database is suitable for band music, rock songs with fast and good-paced tempos, as well as bright and pop-like idol songs. The voice database would make a compatible back vocal.
**Vocal traits** as noted:

Maki's English voice database has a Japanese accent.
**Phonetic notes** as noted:

* Phoneme format: ARPABET
* Additional voice files are included with Maki's CeVIO AI Talk Voice or Synthesizer V AI voice database. There are over 2000 audio files to use for a wide variety of genres.
	+ List of recorded audio
		- Japanese Talk voice files
		- English Talk voice files
		- Musical voice files
	+ On June 17, 2022, her exVOICE files were updated to be Pitagoe Appli compatible. These are available after user registration on AH-Software's website.

**Software issues** as noted:

* As Maki's Synthesizer V voice databases were voiced by Manami Tanaka instead of Tomoe Tamiyasu, she may not sound the same as her VOICEROID voicebanks.
	+ As an alternative, her CeVIO AI talk voicebank could be used in collaboration with the Synthesizer V voice databases as these share the same voice actress. This is available in both Japanese and English, unlike the original Japanese-only VOICEROID voicebank.
* As the Lite voice databases are generally restricted to monopitch (one pitch) only, Maki's range is noted to be Ds4 in this version.

**System requirements** as noted:

	+ Intel Core series 4th generation i5 (i5-4xxx) or higher
	+ AMD Athlon X4 845, Ryzen series or higher
* RAM: 2GB or higher
* Disk Space: 1 GB or higher (for installing one voice database)
	+ The amount of space required depends on the number of voice databases installed.
* Display: 1280 x 800 or higher

	+ Windows 10/8.1
	+ Mac OS X: 10.11 or higher
	+ Linux Ubuntu 16.4 or higher

**Other:**

* DVD-ROM Drive (physical edition only)
* Sound card
* Internet connection is necessary for activation and obtaining updaters.

**License agreements** as noted:

* AH-Software's End User License Agreement - Japanese
* AH-Software's End User License Agreement - English
* Regarding the Lite version:
	+ AH-Software does not accept technical inquiries regarding free software nor do they guarantee or support the operation of all free software.
	+ AH-Software is not liable for any damages (including loss of data) caused by using free software. Users are cautioned to use the free software at their own risk.
	+ The program may not be transferred, sold, lent, distributed or rented without AH-Software's permission, regardless of whether it is paid or free of charge.
	+ Reverse engineering, including modification, decompilation, and disassembly, of their program for any purpose is prohibited.
	+ Tsurumaki Maki English Standard Lite may not be used commercially in any way
	+ When using the Lite version of this voice database, "This work uses the Lite version" must be mentioned on any uploads.

**Voice database sample**

* Tsurumaki Maki English Standard Solfège:
* Tsurumaki Maki English Standard Lite Solfège:
* A preview of Maki English's Synthesizer V Studio AI and Standard voice databases (provided by the Dreamtonics website):

Product Information
**Optimum**

  **Genre:** Band Music, Rock, & Pop  **Range:** G#3 ~ E5
**Versions**

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

Maki is a feminine English voice database based on the singing style of Manami Tanaka. She is noted to have a fast attack and articulation, as well as a clear, energetic, and cute voice. According to AH-Software, this voice database is suitable for band music, rock songs with fast and good-paced tempos, as well as bright and pop-like idol songs. The voice database would make a compatible back vocal. As expected of an AI voice database, this enables Maki to sing with a more human-like and realistic voice.
**Vocal traits** as noted:

* Maki's English voice database has a Japanese accent.
* As per the Synthesizer V Studio 1.7.0 update launched on July 21, 2022, through High Dynamics Voice Models (HDVM), which later migrated to Diffusion Probabilistic Models (DPM) per the 1.8.0b1 update on November 10, AI voice databases may use AI Retakes to create multiple "takes" of a sung section with variations in pitch, dynamics, and timbre. This replicates the randomness of human vocalists, adds a more realistic feel, and allows users 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
* Additional voice files are included with Maki's CeVIO AI Talk Voice or Synthesizer V AI voice database. There are over 2000 audio files to use for a wide variety of genres.
	+ List of recorded audio
		- Japanese Talk voice files
		- English Talk voice files
		- Musical voice files
	+ On June 17, 2022, her exVOICE files were updated to be Pitagoe Appli compatible. These are available after user registration on AH-Software's website.
* On December 23, 2021, with the announcement of Synthesizer V Studio 1.5.0, all AI voice databases would be able to use cross-lingual singing synthesis. This allows Maki's English AI to be able to sing in not only English but also in Japanese and Mandarin Chinese using this new feature. Since the release of her v108b1 update on June 21, 2023, she can also sing in Cantonese Chinese 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.

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

* As of July 21, 2022, the paid version of Tsurumaki Maki English AI became compatible with the Vocal Mode function introduced in Synthesizer V Studio 1.6.0. Her v106 update included 5 variations:
	+ "Adult"
	+ "Breathy"
	+ "Power\_Pop"
	+ "Twangy"
	+ "Whisper"

**Software issues** as noted:

* As Maki's Synthesizer V voice databases were voiced by Manami Tanaka instead of Tomoe Tamiyasu, she may not sound the same as her VOICEROID voicebanks.
	+ As an alternative, her CeVIO AI talk voicebank could be used in collaboration with the Synthesizer V voice databases as these share the same voice actress. This is available in both Japanese and English, unlike the original Japanese-only VOICEROID voicebank.

**System requirements** as noted:

	+ Intel Core series 4th generation i5 (i5-4xxx) or higher
	+ AMD Athlon X4 845, Ryzen series or higher
* RAM: 2GB or higher
* Disk Space: 1 GB or higher (for installing one voice database)
	+ The amount of space required depends on the number of voice databases installed.
* Display: 1280 x 800 or higher

	+ Windows 10/8.1
	+ Mac OS X: 10.11 or higher
	+ Linux Ubuntu 16.4 or higher

**Other:**

* DVD-ROM Drive (physical edition only)
* Sound card
* Internet connection is necessary for activation and obtaining updaters.

**License agreements** as noted:

* AH-Software's End User License Agreement - Japanese
* AH-Software's End User License Agreement - English
* Regarding the Lite version:
	+ AH-Software does not accept technical inquiries regarding free software nor do they guarantee or support the operation of all free software.
	+ AH-Software is not liable for any damages (including loss of data) caused by using free software. Users are cautioned to use the free software at their own risk.
	+ The program may not be transferred, sold, lent, distributed or rented without AH-Software's permission, regardless of whether it is paid or free of charge.
	+ Reverse engineering, including modification, decompilation, and disassembly, of their program for any purpose is prohibited.
	+ Tsurumaki Maki English AI Lite may not be used commercially in any way
	+ When using the Lite version of this voice database, "This work uses the Lite version" must be mentioned on any uploads.

**Voice database sample**

* Tsurumaki Maki English AI Solfège (v102 versus v103):
* Tsurumaki Maki English AI Solfège (v104 versus v106):

* A preview of Maki English's Synthesizer V Studio AI and Standard voice databases (provided by the Dreamtonics website):

## References

1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmqBPc-ps4A
2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMCKyH7Btls
3. ↑ https://twitter.com/tammy\_now/status/1342495702471962625
4. ↑ https://twitter.com/Rylitah/status/1342616819874586624 - Livestream summary by @Rylitah
5. ↑ https://www.ah-soft.com/images/products/maki/seiyuu.jpg
6. ↑ https://twitter.com/maki\_gyungyun/status/1377099522464096259
7. ↑ https://twitter.com/maki\_gyungyun/status/1392677212273340421
8. ↑ https://twitter.com/maki\_gyungyun/status/1400350915647860741
9. ↑ https://twitter.com/ahsoft/status/1507273221976260609
10. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJVmg0cIZrM
11. ↑ https://twitter.com/ahsoft/status/1542711016860962816
12. ↑ https://twitter.com/dreamtonics\_en/status/1550050403613835264
13. ↑ https://twitter.com/dreamtonics\_en/status/1550520904291012609
14. ↑ https://twitter.com/dreamtonics\_en/status/1550520905868009472
15. ↑ https://twitter.com/ahsoft/status/1550385484027035649
16. ↑ https://twitter.com/dreamtonics\_en/status/1550520907159851009
17. ↑ https://twitter.com/ahsoft/status/1550385686389616640
18. ↑ https://dreamtonics.com/en/cross-lingual-support-for-synthesizer-v-ai/
19. ↑ https://dreamtonics.com/en/synthesizer-v-studio-1-7-0-update-ai-retakes-feature/
20. ↑ https://twitter.com/ahsoft/status/1551774834983866368
21. ↑ https://dreamtonics.com/en/synthesizer-v-studio-1-8-0b1-update/
22. ↑ https://dreamtonics.com/en/synthesizer-v-studio-1-8-0-final-update/
23. ↑ https://twitter.com/ahsoft/status/1595674717200916481/
24. ↑ https://dreamtonics.com/synthesizer-v-studio-1-9-0-final-update/
25. ↑ https://twitter.com/dreamtonics\_en/status/1671427830629154816
26. ↑ https://www.bilibili.com/read/cv24826703/
27. ↑ https://twitter.com/ahsoft/status/1676865674898206720
28. ↑ https://twitter.com/dreamtonics\_en/status/1686648078571655168
29. ↑ https://t.bilibili.com/825177687051993121
30. ↑ https://dreamtonics.com/synthesizer-v-studio-1-10-0b1-update-enhancing-pitch-generation-with-user-feedback/
31. ↑ https://twitter.com/ahsoft/status/1686653272474738689
32. ↑ https://twitter.com/dreamtonics\_en/status/1707304150059639108
33. ↑ https://dreamtonics.com/synthesizer-v-studio-1-10-0b2-update/
34. ↑ https://twitter.com/ahsoft/status/1707304906535956719
35. ↑ https://dreamtonics.com/synthesizer-v-studio-1-10-0-final-update/
36. ↑ https://twitter.com/ahsoft/status/1714919114182181140
37. ↑ https://twitter.com/ahsoft/status/1717451110305366047
38. ↑ https://twitter.com/ahsoft/status/1405724076769910792
39. ↑ https://twitter.com/ahsoft/status/1405725227305213955
40. ↑ https://www.ah-soft.com/synth-v/maki/english.html
41. ↑ https://dreamtonics.com/en/synthesizerv/
42. ↑ https://twitter.com/maki\_gyungyun/status/1537730091786305537
43. ↑ https://dreamtonics.com/en/synthesizer-v-studio-1-8-0-final-update/
44. ↑ https://twitter.com/dreamtonics\_en/status/1550048543624564736
45. ↑ https://twitter.com/dreamtonics\_en/status/1550048543624564736
46. ↑ https://twitter.com/maki\_gyungyun/status/1537730091786305537
47. ↑ https://twitter.com/dreamtonics\_en/status/1473941453810577410
48. ↑ https://twitter.com/MSyphn/status/1550098934558851072