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Aurum, formerly known as ausgris (AW-gree), is an upcoming vocal synthesizer character to be developed by VocaTone Studio in collaboration with Misbah Studios for the upcoming singing synthesis engine Maghni AI. They are expected to be released as a Maghnite for Maghni AI in December 2024, following a successful crowdfunding campaign launched in December 2023. They were formerly developed as an unreleased, private beta voicebank for VOCALOID4.
Concept[]
Aurum was originally designed as an "Agender EDM voice"[1] and is described as a "Warm tenor for any tempo".[2] They are based on a 1930's radio producer and inspired by Orson Welles's famous The War of the Worlds audio drama. They were also inspired by gold in contrast to Audine's silver to create chemistry between the two.[3][4]
As part of the IndieGoGo crowdfunding campaign, Aurum was given a slightly updated profile and description of their vocal. Aurum is described as emotive, lively, and warm, having a voice type that allows for both lighter style modern pop and heavier dance-pop music. Aurum is noted to be a very unique and flexible library.[5]
Etymology[]
The name Aurum means “a new glowing dawn”.[3] In a stream it was mentioned their name was changed from ausgris due to it being hard for people to pronounce and not being able to settle on a single pronunciation,[3] aswell as the Katakana spelling (オーグリー) looking similar to the spelling of the English loanword "ugly".[6]
Appearance[]
The first conceptual illustration of ausgris as a beta voicebank for VOCALOID, features a greyscale portrait of a character, illustrated by Necronatural, with plum-colored hair, green eyes, rectangular-rimmed glasses, a metallic right arm, and wearing a brown hooded sweatshirt and brown messenger cap. They carry a smug expression with lips that are curved in an upward shape, similar to that of a cat's mouth. Concept artwork also illustrated by Necronatural of the design later reveals a brown vest underneath with a white-collared undershirt, a silver chain, a pair of brown pants with holes torn at the knees, brown boots laced up with yellow shoe-laces and a black wristband on their left arm. Other illustration outfit concepts were released featuring ausgris in summer, spring and fall attire.
In December 2020, with the announcement of VocaTone's official vocal synthesizer Maghni AI, ausgris, now referred to as "Aurum", received an updated design illustrated by Necronatural, following a similar theme and color scheme albeit with updated elements. The design featured the same hoodie, vest & undershirt combination as ausgris, though is now adorned with a yellow tie and other embellishments as well as a singular brown glove on their left hand. Their messenger cap is instead replaced with a set of brown headphones, and their torn pants are replaced with a pair of brown capris. They wear a pair of brown work boots and carry a golden, retro-styled microphone.[7]
= In 2023, with the production of Maghni AI entering the crowdfunding phase, Aurum's design was updated once again, featuring a new illustration by Crossy, the project's lead illustrator, featuring updated elements to Aurum's design. Aurum now sports a brown hooded trench coat in lieu of their hooded sweatshirt, atop a red undershirt and accompanied with a pale orange scarf. Aurum's messenger cap returns in combination with a pair of yellow, deer-horn shaped headphones.
Relations[]
- Audine - Counterpart
History[]
2016[]
A sample of a male vocalist developed by VocaTone was showcased early 2016. It was later explained that "ausgris" was a working title.[8] On VocaTone's Tumblr they replied that it's unlikely they will keep the name.[9] A preview of the finished design was revealed on VocaTone's social media [10] and a few details about the product were revealed on Tumblr: the vocalist was described as having a quirky and upbeat voice, able to sing and speak at a low pitch. The vocalist was not a professional singer and sung-spoke the lyrics. The voice was described as "fun to use".[11]
It should be noted that the demo was of a single pitch, more would likely be added if the project continued. VocaTone also had a few ideas on names that would suit them better then "Ausgris".[12] One thing holding back the product was the recent number of young masculine vocals that were being produced at the time of demonstration. VocaTone stated ausgris would be released if there was interest, but would remain untouched for the moment.[13]
A full image of ausgris was revealed on OLIVER's official twitter account on September 16, 2016.[14] Their release was uncertain at the time.[15] Although originally introduced as a 'young male vocal', ausgris was later confirmed to be agender.[16]
2017[]
In July 2017, VocaTone stated that they were making steady progress with 3 potential English vocals; one of which being ausgris.[17]
2020[]
On December 14, 2020, VocaTone posted a teaser image featuring two toy figures, with a quote stating that "our strategy is in motion".[18] On December 18, VocaTone posted teaser images of the eyes of two new characters in production, with artwork illustrated by Necronatural and encouraged fans to "keep two eyes open" for an announcement the following week.[19][20] On December 22, VocaTone posted two images of the silhouettes of the two previously teased characters, offering a "sneak peek" of what would be coming in the next few days.[21]
On December 25, 2020, VocaTone revealed they were working in collaboration with Misbah Studios to create a new vocal synthesizer, Maghni AI, which needed to be funded via Kickstarter.[22] The first two vocalists were revealed to be Audine and Aurum, the latter being the final version of ausgris.[23] Both were expected to be made trilingual in English, Japanese, and Spanish according to their reveal video. The announcement of their new software suggests that VocaTone departed from VOCALOID. In a Christmas Q&A with Natalia Shmueli, the owner of Misbah Studios on the VocaVerse Discord, she mentioned that Audine's voice was "absolutely adorable" and "Super bright and cute".[24]
2021[]
On June 4, 2021, VocaTone noted that due to the rush of meeting the previous deadline for the Kickstarter fundraiser, the team finalized designs for the characters earlier than intended. With a new deadline in mind, Aurum and Audine's designs would have have a bit more time to be developed.[25]
Aurum and Audine received new designs following the VocaTone Studio rebrand and the launch of the newly refreshed official website.[26]
On December 25, 2020, VocaTone revealed they were working in collaboration with Misbah Studios to create a new vocal synthesizer, Maghni AI, which needed to be funded via Kickstarter.[2] The first two vocalists were revealed to be Audine and Aurum, the latter being the final version of ausgris.[27] Both were expected to be made trilingual in English, Japanese, and Spanish according to their reveal video. The announcement of their new software suggests that VocaTone departed from VOCALOID. In a Christmas Q&A with Natalia Shmueli, the owner of Misbah Studios on the VocaVerse Discord, she mentioned that Aurum sounds even better now and that their voice provider "has greatly improved at singing"[24]
2021[]
Aurum and Audine received new designs following the VocaTone Studio rebrand and the launch of the newly refreshed official website.[28]
2022[]
On January 16, 2022, following the renewal of their official Blog on the VocaTone website, VocaTone announced that they would be providing monthly updates on the development of Maghni AI. They noted that development had been in progress for nearly a year at this point and were very excited to announce the near completion of the beta version of Maghni AI. It was noted that the beta engine itself was complete, the final mission would be to complete the GUI and wrap up the development of the demonstration voice libraries.[29]
On February 11, 2022, VocaTone released their February update on their official blog, noting the significant progress on the software's GUI, including the completion of the piano roll and the section for parameter manipulation being nearly finished. It was also noted that the voice library development for Aurum and Audine was steadily progressing. Two additional voice library developers joined the project as members of VocaTone Studio, and would help to speed up the development process. At this time, the linguistics president noted that Maghni AI could support up to 71 languages including:
- Akkadian
- Albanian
- Amharic
- Arabic
- Armenian
- Basque
- Belarusian
- Bengali
- Bulgarian
- Cantonese
- Carolinian
- Catalan
- Chamorro
- Cherokee
- Czech
- Danish
- Dutch
- English
- Esperanto
- Finnish
- French
- Georgian
- German
- Greek
- Hausa
- Hawaiian
- Hebrew
- Hindustani
- Hokkien
- Hungarian
- Icelandic
- Irish
- Italian
- Jamaican Patois
- Japanese
- Kazakh
- Khmer
- Kinyarwanda
- Kiowa
- Korean
- Kurdish
- Laotian
- Latin
- Malay
- Mandarin
- Mongolian
- Nahuatl
- Norweigian
- Odia
- Ojibwe
- Persian
- Polish
- Portuguese
- Romanian
- Russian
- Scottish
- Serbo-Croatian
- Somali
- Spanish
- Swahili
- Swedish
- Tagalog
- Tamil
- Thai
- Toki Pona
- Turkish
- Ukranian
- Vietnamese
- Welsh
- Wu
- Zulu
It was noted that Aurum and Audine may or may not support these language models.[30] On March 7, 2022 the next monthly update revealed that the beta version of Maghni AI was at 90% completion, and would soon be distributed to the designated beta testers.[31]
The May 22, 2022 update included the development of multithreading - connecting the back-end of Maghni AI to the GUI that the user would utilize to make the vocal instruments sing.[32]
On June 7, 2022, VocaTone updated their licensing to include terms of use for their characters including Oliver, Aurum, and Audine.[33]
2023[]
On September 20, 2023, VocaTone announced their continued research into the the use artificial intelligence. It was noted that while the engine had previously used artificial intelligence features on top of a concatenative base, the team announced the complete transition to AI generation. Updates were noted to be limited and VocaTone presented a brief update on the work with funding groups that was "paying off" and were seeing significant progress in that pursuit. VocaTone noted that all of their libraries and other features for launch were being prepared and had hoped to share them soon.[34]
On December 20, 2023, VocaTone announced the completion of the Maghni AI engine through a comic featuring Aurum and Audine with the crowdfunding campaign announced to be held through IndieGoGo beginning on December 26. An early first look at the GUI, highly-requested features and backer-exclusive merchandise would be announced and fans were encouraged to stayed tuned.[35] On December 23, a promotional image of Aurum was posted at the three-day mark for the crowdfund.[36]
The Maghni AI IndeGoGo was officially launched on December 26, 2023. A promotional teaser was uploaded featuring Oliver and producer CircusP showcasing a teaser of Oliver's Maghni AI database, aiming for a winter 2024 release.[37] The crowdfund featured various tier rewards offering a selection of merchandise featuring the three VocaTone characters, including Aurum, Audine and Oliver. An Aurum-themed tier, the "Aurum Advocate" tier, includes a selection of specially illustrated wallpapers including the VocaTone characters and a Audine-themed tier, the "Audine Aficionado" tier, includes a downloadable PDF file including the concept art for all the VocaTone characters. Other tiers included merchandise such as a set of thank you cards, bookmarks, and stickers featuring the three VocaTone characters.[38][39] They were also included in a button set featuring Aurum, Audine, and Oliver as well as an exclusive keychain, prints of the VocaTone character concept arts and wallpaper illustrations. As part of the campaign, an exclusive IndieGoGo campaign only physical box was in development.[40] Two tiers: the Digital Voice Pick-One tier or the Physical Voice Pick-One tier, offers supporters the option to pick either a digital or physical copy of Aurum, Audine, or Oliver to receive on the launch of Maghni AI, also receiving an exclusive associated keychain as all previous rewards. A Completionist Bundle tier was also offered offering supporters the chance to receive every previous reward including all three libraries with a special box cover for each, a fundraiser-exclusive pillow, each of the character keychains, and early access to the Maghni AI editor before it's public release. The final Maghni Maker Deluxe tier allowed supporters who were interested in developing a voice library the exclusive early access slot to develop a voice library for Maghni AI, scheduled to be fulfilled shortly after the end of the year one development cycle. Additional add-on tiers were also included such as a custom additional voice sample to the preorder-exclusive voice material bundle, a digital album containing all of the Maghni AI launch demo songs, a "Olirondo" full comic print, featuring Aurum, Audine, and Oliver as well as the Digital Library Standalone tier, allowing supporters who did not wish to receive the merchandise to receive the three launch libraries and secure a digital download code for one of the libraries early. Additional stretch goals were announced for additional demo songs for each launch library, alternate box art inserts for each launch library, additional voice colors for each launch library, additional supported language for each launch library, art-accurate 3D models for Oliver, Aurum, and Audine, as well as Consumer-led projects based on polling. Aurum was announced as a Lyric Tenor vocalist with a optimal range of A2~F4. Their voice was described as emotive, lively, and warm, having a voice type that fits allows for both lighter style modern pop and heavier dance-pop music and was noted to be a very unique and flexible library.[41]
A special celebratory Q&A livestream, marking the halfway point of the crowdfund, was held by VocaTone staff on January 28, answering questions about Maghni AI's development and the IndieGoGo crowdfund.[42][43]
On December 29, 2023 VocaTone announced the official Maghni AI rollout schedule timeline, with Aurum's English demo announced to be released in January 2024, two demos in March 2024 featuring both Aurum and Oliver, Aurum's Spanish demo to be released in May 2024, beta testing to begin in November 2024 and the final Maghni AI release in December 2024.[44]
The IndieGoGo $20,000.00 goal was reached on December 31, 2023, shifting a focus to the stretch goals.[45]
2024[]
A sneak peak of the crowdfunding exclusive storybook box covers and keychains were revealed on Jaunary 6, 2024.[46][47] The first stretch goal was reached two days later on January 8, prompting the development of additional demo songs for each library.[48]
Concept illustrations and designer's guidelines for Aurum, Audine and Oliver's Maghni AI designs were released on January 17, 2023.[49] Images of the exclusive keychain designs were released the same day.[50] The second campaign stretch goal was met on January 22, 2024, allowing for the exclusive additional inserts for the physical boxes.[51]
The third stretch goal was met on January 25, 2024 on the eve of the crowdfunding's end date prompting for the development of additional voice colors for Oliver, Aurum, and Audine allowing for an even wider range of expression. The same day, concept draft illustrations for Aurum's Spanish, Oliver's French, and Audine's Mandarin Chinese potential designs were released.[52] Following the reveal, prior to the conclusion of the Maghni AI IndieGoGo crowdfunding campaign, VocaTone posted a sample of Aurum and Audine's voice providers singing, giving users a sample of what the vocalists are intended to sound like.[53]
The crowdfund ended on January 26, 2024, garnering a total of $38,430 USD raised by 287 backers.[54]
Marketing[]
Aurum has been featured in various pieces of merchandise created by VocaTone as rewards for the IndieGoGo campaign, including illustrated wallpapers, concept artwork, a set of thank you cards, bookmarks, and stickers.[55][56] They were also included in a button set featuring Aurum, Audine, and Oliver as well as an exclusive keychain, and prints of the VocaTone character concept arts and wallpaper illustrations. As part of the campaign, an exclusive IndieGoGo campaign only physical storybook box is in development.[57]
Voicebanks[]
- Aurum (Maghni AI), In development, expected for December 2024.
References[]
- ↑ Aurum did you know twitter fleet
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Maghni AI announcement
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 VocaTone/Misbah Studios Q&A transcript
- ↑ December 27 Q&A summary
- ↑ https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/maghni-ai-a-popstar-in-your-pocket/x/27013737#/
- ↑ https://vocaverse.network/threads/maghni-ai-by-vocatone-and-misbah-studios-kickstarter.5467/page-3#post-33139
- ↑ https://twitter.com/VocaTone/status/1342518814563565568
- ↑ http://vocatoneofficial.tumblr.com/post/143069231607/yay-welcome-back-i-was-actually-checking-here-a
- ↑ http://vocatoneofficial.tumblr.com/post/143353148267/are-you-really-gonna-name-him-ausgris
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/VocaTone/photos/a.249884465155209.1073741825.214314255378897/778825342261116/?type=3&theater
- ↑ http://vocatoneofficial.tumblr.com/post/143252784637/if-you-guys-do-follow-through-with-that-beta
- ↑ http://vocatoneofficial.tumblr.com/post/143721936437/you-should-really-keep-the-name-ive-grown
- ↑ http://vocatoneofficial.tumblr.com/post/143121711142/is-there-any-way-you-could-give-this-VOCALOID-more
- ↑ ausgris' full image
- ↑ https://twitter.com/VOCALOID_oliver/status/776873479559929856
- ↑ http://vocatoneofficial.tumblr.com/post/150710216542/so-is-ausgris-a-boy-or-a-girl
- ↑ http://vocatoneofficial.tumblr.com/post/162633614402/vocatone-is-making-steady-progress-with-3
- ↑ https://twitter.com/VocaTone/status/1338533124280623106
- ↑ https://twitter.com/VocaTone/status/1339938812890378243
- ↑ https://twitter.com/VocaTone/status/1339990453844885504
- ↑ https://twitter.com/VocaTone/status/1341455189077856256
- ↑ https://twitter.com/VocaTone/status/1342420884838096901
- ↑ https://twitter.com/VocaTone/status/1342518814563565568
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 Christmas Q & A
- ↑ https://twitter.com/VocaTone/status/1400878276902535178
- ↑ https://twitter.com/VocaTone/status/1473715947148042245
- ↑ https://twitter.com/VocaTone/status/1342518814563565568
- ↑ https://twitter.com/VocaTone/status/1473715947148042245
- ↑ https://www.vocatone.studio/blog/maghni-ai-update
- ↑ https://twitter.com/VocaTone/status/1492231021915512835
- ↑ https://www.vocatone.studio/blog/maghni-march-update
- ↑ https://www.vocatone.studio/blog/maghni-dual-update
- ↑ https://twitter.com/VocaTone/status/1534178425321181184
- ↑ https://www.vocatone.studio/blog/maghni-update
- ↑ https://twitter.com/VocaTone/status/1737623927424172468
- ↑ https://twitter.com/VocaTone/status/1738716161846452428
- ↑ https://twitter.com/VocaTone/status/1739692511298256922
- ↑ https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/maghni-ai-a-popstar-in-your-pocket/x/27013737#/
- ↑ https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/maghni-ai-a-popstar-in-your-pocket/x/27013737#/updates/11
- ↑ https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/maghni-ai-a-popstar-in-your-pocket/x/27013737#/updates/10
- ↑ https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/maghni-ai-a-popstar-in-your-pocket/x/27013737#/
- ↑ https://twitter.com/VocaTone/status/1739739549440397580
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zo8U-b7q3kI
- ↑ https://twitter.com/VocaTone/status/1740941136867594366
- ↑ https://twitter.com/VocaTone/status/1741583544533615043
- ↑ https://twitter.com/VocaTone/status/1743765268927496519
- ↑ https://twitter.com/VocaTone/status/1743774806833500504
- ↑ https://twitter.com/VocaTone/status/1745862868287861069
- ↑ https://twitter.com/VocaTone/status/1747749612826312975
- ↑ https://twitter.com/VocaTone/status/1747749676869181616
- ↑ https://twitter.com/VocaTone/status/1749625060157972585
- ↑ https://twitter.com/VocaTone/status/1750623232527331421
- ↑ https://twitter.com/VocaTone/status/1750639732311089367 Note: no Engine output is utilized in this video. Vocals are provided by each respective vocalist's voice provider.
- ↑ https://twitter.com/VocaTone/status/1750994712226590884
- ↑ https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/maghni-ai-a-popstar-in-your-pocket/x/27013737#/
- ↑ https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/maghni-ai-a-popstar-in-your-pocket/x/27013737#/updates/11
- ↑ https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/maghni-ai-a-popstar-in-your-pocket/x/27013737#/updates/10
External links[]
Official[]
- Official VocaTone Studio Website
- Official VocaTone Studio Twitter
- Official VocaTone Studio YouTube Channel
- Official VocaTone Facebook
- Official VocaTone Studio Online Store
- Official Maghni AI Indiegogo Crowdfunding Campaign
[]
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