KAITO (Vocaloid)
KAITO is a text-to-speech software distributed by Crypton Future Media. The software uses the VOCALOID engine developed by Yamaha. Vocals and choruses can be synthesized by inputting lyrics and musical scale.
Promoter
Crypton Future Media
Operating system
Windows Vista/7/8
macOS
Type
Musical synthesis, DTM
Voice synthesizer
Software
KAITO was originally released on February 17, 2006. On February 15, 2013, "KAITO V3" using the updated VOCALOID3 engine was released.
KAITO (initial version) is the second Japanese text-to-speech software to use the Vocaloid engine, after MEIKO . The software uses a voice library recorded from musicianNaoto Fuuga. The genre of the software is not specified and it can be used for pop, rock, jazz, or R&B music. The software is expected to be suitable for duets with MEIKO.
The name KAITO is not a reference to the voice provider. User suggestions were publicly collected to find a name for "a male Japanese Vocaloid." The suggestions were in katakana, and 10 names were randomly selected. Among them, KAITO was selected because it was easy for foreigners to pronounce and matched well with the name MEIKO.
KAITO V3 was released in February 2015. The software had three Japanese libraries: Straight, Soft, and Whisper, as well as an English library. It also came with the original DAW keyboard editor PreSonus Studio One (English).
Package illustration
The packaging illustration depicts a young man wearing a scarf. Like MEIKO, the design is anime-style. This is due to MEIKO's success in adopting an image as a character. The designs are intended to appeal as a product capable of generating reactions.
Although the package artwork is not intended for use as a character, Crypton announced the "Piapro Character License" in June 2009, which defines the conditions under which Kaito can be used as a character. Kaito is equipped with a headset. Hatsune Miku , Kagamine-Rin , and Megurine Luka also have headsets.
Influence
KAITO was not expected to sell as many units as MEIKO had previously. However, sales were still below expectations, with only 500 units sold in the first year, compared to MEIKO's 3,000. The product was considered a complete failure. The failure was attributed to the fact that most DTM users were male, so there was little demand for male vocals. Crypton later stated, "A male vocal might not be good." For this reason, subsequent Vocaloid products focused on female vocals.
However, in August 2007, Hatsune Miku was released with the new VOCALOID2 engine. Videos featuring Hatsune Miku were uploaded to Nico Nico Douga one after another. As these videos gained popularity, so did those featuring Kaito. Kaito was then favorably regarded as the only male Vocaloid. Kaito's popularity skyrocketed, and sales increased rapidly by the end of 2007.
With Hatsune Miku, Crypton began promoting the Vocaloid product series as characters capable of singing. With Hatsune Miku's rise in popularity as a character, Kaito, who was not originally intended to be recognized as a character, became recognized as "a character related to Hatsune Miku." Her popularity as a character also increased. An illustration titled "Hatsune Miku's Response" (Hatsune Miku no Kaitou, 初音ミクの回答) was posted online. It depicted Kaito eating ice cream. Kaito was later associated with ice cream. In 2008, a Kaito figurine with ice cream was released.
As the original music created using KAITO was uploaded to Nico Nico Douga , some were covered by KAITO's voice provider, Naoto Fuuga. On December 28, 2008, the cover album "Hikyou Sentai Urotanda" (卑怯戦隊うろたんだ) was released on CD. On July 1, 2009, "Sennen Dokusouka" (千年の独奏歌) was released.
Product Overview
Nendoroid KAITO (Good Smile Company)
Nendoroid Plus Series 03 Plush: KAITO (Gift, Good Smile Company)
Nendoroid Small VOCALOID #01 (Good Smile Company)
Pullip Taeyang Vocaloid Kaito Groove Dolls
Kaito Fruit Soda Ice Cream (Family Mart)
Other collaborations
Ameba Pigg's Miku Miku Zone
On September 18, 2012, on Narikiri Street in the Ameba Pig Zone, the Miku Miku Zone opened for a limited time. Cosplay items for characters such as Hatsune Miku, Kagamine Rin, and Len, as well as guitar items, synthesizer items, room decorations, and figurines were available. They were priced from 80 AmeGold. In addition, a device is installed that makes Hatsune Miku appear if five pigs perform a certain action. A user can become a DJ and play music videos from YouTube and enjoy music with other users on the Pig Channel Floor. Here, there is a special area called Miku Miku Floor dedicated to Hatsune Miku where users can enjoy her music videos.
