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What is a Vocaloid?
A Vocaloid is, specifically, a voice synthesis program used to sing. The user types in lyrics and makes adjustments to the voice, such as pitch, breathyness, gender factor, clarity, and so on. After that, the Vocaloid will take the data and use it to sing. Originally, it was used as a cheap alternative to hiring real backup singers. However, once the solo potential of each Vocaloid was revealed, they were able to branch out into their own musical careers.
Physical Properties
The body of a Vocaloid was contructed to be as similar to a human's as possible. Their skin is realistic and capable of registering pressure and temperature. When the situation calls for it, they are able to blush or even turn pale with fright. It serves as a sort of sensor, just as a normal person's skin does. If something is too hot, the Vocaloid will receive messages or alerts which will prompt them to react accordingly. The skin also prevents water from seeping into the core components; they don't have to be afraid of being caught in the rain. As durable as it may be, the skin is still soft enough to seem realistic. Damage to the skin can come as easily as an injury to any other person.
The structure of the body is primarily metal. They have no muscles, tendons, or ligaments. Everything functions through metal, wires, and pipes. Although the metal is strong, it can still be damaged by any traumatic event (like getting hit by a car). It's a detailed structure, modeled after the human skeletal structure. This provides fluidity and flexibility for the Vocaloid so that they are able to dance as they perform their songs. The body will not wear down easily and will never change. The downside is that they will always be at a set level of strength, never able to gain or lose muscle. In addition to it's flexibility, a warm body temperature is regulated with fluids in tubes lined throughout the structure. This is, in a way, the 'blood'. Unfortunately, the fluids add the risk of a leak and additional damage if punctured. It was a risk the company was willing to take; they wanted the Vocaloids' hands to be warm when they shook the hands of fans.
The core component of the Vocaloid rests within the protective frame of the body. In order to prevent the core from overheating, heat pipes are used to cool it down with very little noise. It conducts the most heat because of the constant processing. It is the 'brain', so to speak. Anything they feel, see, taste, or hear is sent back to the core as data. The core then interprets the data, finds the appropriate response, and sends that action back for the Vocaloid to perform. It's a detailed A.I. programmed to seem as human-like as possible. It also acts like a wireless router, allowing constant access to the Vocaloids' database (AKA the internet). The database is very important to a Vocaloid. It is the only way they can find songs to sing, since they cannot compose or write their own songs. They can only sing what has been uploaded into the database. (For an example, please see Hatsune Mix vol. 4.)
User Agreement
Although they were created by a company, they were programmed to listen to the Producers -- users who paid for the Vocaloid's talent. These paid users are the 'Masters' who compose their songs or direct their music videos. The relationship between a Producer and a Vocaloid is mutually symbiotic. Because a Vocaloid cannot compose their own music, they're incredibly dependent on the Producers to keep their own careers going. A Producer will gain a favorable reputation if their song is a hit, as well as a chance to be credited on a CD or game. Together, they work as a team for mutual benefit.
The non-paying users, usually just fans, can request songs and small performances on occasion. However, because they haven't paid for the services, they can only request existing songs. If they want to remain free-users but have their own song they'd like to hear, they usually have to ask a Producer.
Summary
Vocaloids are artificial beings whose main purpose is to sing and provide entertainment. At first glance, they appear almost completely human. It's their synthetic voices that reveal what they really are.
Updated: 07/24