Vocaloid 3: Japanese Synthesised Singing Sensation Now Knows English

Vocaloid, the super-popular singing synthesizer from Japan has now gotten an update–and it (she) is bilingual! Meet Megurine Luka, who’s “moody and husky” voice is now yours to command in both Japanese and English.

Vocaloids 1 and 2, featuring much higher-pitched robotic singers became the #1 selling software on Amazon Japan. I think the fact that they had pretty, doe-eyed, teenage anime android girls (complete with “personalities” and “back stories”) as mascots probably helped their appeal.

That’s Luka-chan trying out her synthesized vocal chords in English–singing Amazing Grace. Previously, Western vocaloid fans had to enter all the text in katakana… like this admittedly adorable version of Miku (Vocaloid 2) singing The Proclaimer’s 500 Miles.

[ Gizmodo Japan]