SF-A2 codename miki (SF-A2 開発コード miki) is a Japanese VOCALOID developed and distributed by AH-Software Co. Ltd., and was initially released in December 2009 for the VOCALOID2 engine. She was updated to the VOCALOID4 engine in June 2015.[1] She was announced to be receiving an AI voice database for Synthesizer V Studio for her 15th anniversary in December 2024.
Her voice is provided by the Japanese female singer-songwriter, Furukawa Miki (フルカワミキ / 古川美季).
Concept[]
Etymology[]
Often shortened to just "SF-A2 miki", her codename of "miki" comes from her provider's name "Miki Furukawa". In Japanese, 'codename' or 'development code' translates as 'kaihatsu koudo'. The meaning of the "SF-A2" part of her name has never been stated.
Appearance[]
Her VOCALOID2 design was unique among the VOCALOIDs. She had no references to YAMAHA-based musical instruments and was designed to look cybernetic, giving her a more sci-fi look than most other VOCALOIDs at the time.[2] She generally has a star-theme motif and has a star symbol somewhere in every design for her.
According to information that came from the 2012 redesign, miki was designed to look like she was made out of an inorganic material and was conceptualized as an android. Her body was designed to look like that of a child, but also give her the overall appearance of a young teenage female. Though she is an android, she is covered in muscles made from various materials such as carbon nanotubes, but were made loose to give a mild deformed look about them. Having an immature-looking body allowed her to appear younger than she looks, similar to how Hatsune Miku and Kagamine Rin could do the same.[3]
The illustrator also gave an "SFA2 bike" version in 2010 showing miki with her hood up and on a sci-fi themed bike.
Her look was given an overhaul in her VOCALOID4 update and her cybernetic flesh appearance was abandoned. The general science fiction appearance, however, was kept.
Relations[]
- Utatane Piko - Originally, miki and Piko were developed as a pair, but due to complications, they were split between two companies.[4]
History[]
In spite of being one of AH-Software Co. Ltd.'s first three singing vocals, miki's direction was very different from that of Hiyama Kiyoteru and Kaai Yuki. Much of her planning and development for VOCALOID2 was handled by HEARTFAST, while the rest of her planning was carried out by AHS (together with the overall planning of its other two debut vocals, which began in 2007). She was originally meant to be the partner vocal of Utatane Piko and was made with a different company, but due to problems, she was separated from her "brother" vocal,[4] who ended up being owned by Ki/oon Music Inc. (a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment Japan). She, Kiyoteru, and Yuki were released the same day on December 4, 2009; "SF-A2 codename: miki" (as her voicebank was officially dubbed), whose creation was a joint effort by both AH-Software and YAMAHA Corporation, was released as part of an "artist edition series".
miki and many other AH-Software vocals were announced to be receiving updates for VOCALOID4 on November 20, 2014's livestream, after their silhouettes were revealed on a poster two weeks earlier without providing any further context.[5] On May 14, 2015, AHS confirmed that miki would only have a Natural voicebank and would release on June 18, 2015; it was possible to buy SF-A2 miki V4 Natural either as a standalone product or as a Starter Pack bundled with the VOCALOID4 Editor.[6]
2023[]
On December 1, 2023's AHS livestream, it was announced that both miki and Kiyoteru would be receiving AI voice databases for Synthesizer V Studio for their joint 15th anniversary in 2024.[7]
Marketing[]
To promote the release of SF-A2 miki, an album featuring her singing Christmas songs, VOCALOIDS★X’MAS, released in November 2009. Notable VOCALOID song creators' works are included.[8][9]
She, along with Kaai Yuki and Hiyama Kiyoteru, were introduced to expand the VOCALOID market and to give producers more choices.[10]
Until May 2011, all AH-Software VOCALOIDs were banned from KARENT.
Voicebanks[]
- SF-A2 miki - Natural
- The "Natural" vocal is meant to be a realistic representation of the provider Furukawa Miki. At the time of its initial release in VOCALOID2, it was considered the most realistic professional voicebank. It was also noted for its ability to sound like a different vocalist in different ranges, leading to high potential for voice morphing thus allowing it to sound very different to its raw unedited state.
- SF-A2 codename: miki (VOCALOID2), December 4, 2009
- SF-A2 miki V4 (VOCALOID4), June 18, 2015
- SF-A2 miki Natural (Mobile VOCALOID Editor)
- AI miki
- An AI singing voice database planned for miki's 15th anniversary, she will be able to use Synthesizer V Studio Pro's Cross-Lingual Singing Synthesis feature to sing in not only Japanese but also English, Mandarin and Cantonese Chinese, and Spanish.
- AI miki (Synthesizer V Studio), in development, expected December 2024
Reputation[]
Reaction[]
SF-A2 miki was the most popular of the first three AH-Software VOCALOIDs. However, all three were slow to gain popularity and were among the least popular of the Japanese VOCALOIDs for a while.[11] When interviewed, Tomohide Ogata mentioned he had a feeling SF-A2 miki was very popular overseas.[12]
Misc[]
An independent search on niconico revealed that most VOCALOIDs had less than 1,000 videos uploaded in 2011 between July 1 and December 15. SF-A2 miki fell into this category.[13]
Trivia[]
- Kio's model is available for purchase from Windows 100% magazine and the MMD Starter Pack magazine. Previously, the model was available to download from his site, however, it ceased distribution after users violated the model's terms of use.
- SF-A2 miki's voice provider, Miki Furukawa, used to work for Ki/oon Records, which is owned by Sony: the same group Utatane Piko's provider, Piko, comes from.
Achievements[]
- One of the first three AH-Software VOCALOID2 voicebanks to be released.
- One of the two first female AH-Software VOCALOIDs.
- First VOCALOID of the Artist Edition series to be released.
References[]
- ↑ https://twitter.com/ahsoft/status/535606633712197633
- ↑ http://sekiseblog.blog51.fc2.com/blog-entry-150.html
- ↑ http://vocaloid.blog120.fc2.com/blog-entry-12097.html
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 https://vocaverse.network/threads/general-discussion-thread.32/page-27
- ↑ https://twitter.com/tomo_ahs/status/530305583916646400
- ↑ https://www.ah-soft.com/press/vocaloid/150514_v4.html
- ↑ https://twitter.com/ahsoft/status/1730572443927167143
- ↑ Heartfast.jp - VOCALOIDS☆Ｘ‘MAS
- ↑ Heartfast.jp - Xmas CD
- ↑ VOCALOID Enjoy
- ↑ VCC - How big is the Japanese Vocaloid community?
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/yamaha.vocaloid/photos/a.232686870185206.50979.138697466250814/696817480438807/?type=1
- ↑ http://www.vocaloidism.com/2012/01/04/the-harsh-realities-of-vocaloid-on-nico/
External links[]
Articles[]
[]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||