KAITO (Vocaloid)
KAITO is a voice synthesis software distributed by Crypton Future Media. The software uses the VOCALOID engine developed by Yamaha. Vocals and backing vocals can be synthesized by inputting lyrics and musical scale.
Developer
Crypton Future Media
Operating System
Windows Vista/7/8
macOS
Type
Music Synthesis, DTM
Voice Synthesizer
Software
KAITO's was initially 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 voice synthesis software to use the Vocaloid engine, after MEIKO. The software uses a voice library recorded from musician Naoto Fuuga. The software's genre is unspecified and it can be used for music from pop, rock, jazz, or R&B. The software is expected to be a good fit for duets with MEIKO.
The name KAITO is not a reference to the voice provider. Suggestions were publicly gathered from users to find a name for "a male Japanese Vocaloid." The submissions were in katakana and 10 names were picked randomly. Of them, KAITO was selected as it was easy to pronounce for foreigners and it fits well with the name MEIKO.
KAITO V3 was released in February 2015. The software had 3 Japanese libraries: Straight, Soft, and Whisper; as well as an English library. It was also bundled with the original keyboard editor DAW PreSonus Studio One (English).
Package Illustration
The figure of a young man with a scarf is on the package illustration. As with MEIKO, the design is anime-style. This is due to MEIKO having succeeded in adopting an image as a character. The designs are intended to appeal as a product that can create vocals.
Although the package illustration was not intended to be used as a character, Crypton announced the "Piapro Character License" in June 2009 which defines terms in which KAITO may be used as a character. KAITO is equipped with a headset mic. Hatsune Miku, Kagamine Rin, and Megurine Luka similarly have a headset mic.
Influence
KAITO was not expected to sell as many units as MEIKO did prior. However, sales were still below expectations with only 500 in sales during the first year compared to MEIKO's 3000. The product was considered a complete failure. The failure was attributed to the fact that most DTM users were male, thus there was low demand for male vocals. Crypton later said, "a male voice might be no good." For this reason, subsequent Vocaloid products focused on female vocals.
However, in August 2007, Hatsune Miku was released using the new VOCALOID2 engine. Videos using Hatsune Miku were uploaded to Nico Nico Douga one after another. As these videos grew in popularity, so did videos using KAITO. Kaito was then viewed favorably as the only male Vocaloid. KAITO's popularity soared and sales were rising quickly at the end of 2007.
With Hatsune Miku, Crypton started pushing the Vocaloid products series as characters who are able to sing. With Hatsune Miku's rise in popularity as a character, KAITO, who was not initially intended to be recognized as a character, became recognized as "a character related to Hatsune Miku". His popularity as a character rose as well. An illustration titled "Hatsune Miku's Answer" (Hatsune Miku no Kaitou, 初音ミクの回答) was uploaded. It depicted KAITO eating ice cream. KAITO subsequently became associated with ice cream. In 2008, a figure of KAITO with ice cream was released.
As original music created using KAITO was uploaded to Nico Nico Douga, some were covered by the voice provider of KAITO, 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 1st, 2009 "Sennen Dokusouka" (千年の独奏歌) was released.
Merchandise at a Glance
Nendoroid KAITO (Good Smile Company)
Nendoroid Plus Plushie Series 03: KAITO (Gift, Good Smile Company)
Nendoroid Petit VOCALOID #01 (Good Smile Company)
Pullip Dolls Taeyang Vocaloid Kaito Groove
Kaito's Fruits Soda Ice (Family Mart)
Other Collaboration
Ameba Pigg Miku Miku Area
On September 18, 2012 at "Narikiri Street" within the "Ameba Pig" area, the "Miku Miku Area" was opened for a limited time. There, cosplay items for characters such as Hatsune Miku, Kagamine Rin and Len, as well as guitar items, synthesizer items, room decorations, and figures were available. They sold starting at 80 AmeGold. Additionally, there is a device set up which causes Hatsune Miku to appear if five Pigs do a certain action. A user can become a DJ and play music videos from Youtube and enjoy music with other users at the "Pig Channel Floor." Here, there is a special area called the "Miku Miku Floor" dedicated to Hatsune Miku where users can enjoy music videos of her.