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DEX VOCALOID4 | Songs Albums Notable Originals


This article is about the VOCALOID4 software known as a voicebank. If you are looking for the VOCALOID character then click here.

History[]

2014[]

Zero-G approached EmpathP for a private project. They asked her for being the voice provider of their new American VOCALOID and asked which male vocalist would best compliment her voice. Nostraightanswer (then Kenji-B) and CircusP became the candidates. After several meetings, Lupin was chosen. The voice providers were not to be revealed until later.

2015[]

In March 2015, Zero-G stated that they hoped to release an American male and female VOCALOID4 by the end of May.[1]

In June, Prince Syo commented that he had written the script for DEX, which was similar to the one used for RUBY.[2] The reclist was highly customized for the American accent.

On June 20, VOCALOIDs DEX and DAINA were introduced via livestream and panel at Anime Mid Atlantic. The announcement showcased short demo clips by Circus-P, Nostraightanswer (Lupin) and EmpathP (AkiGlancy).[3] In the stream, Lupin noted that the VOCALOIDs were not final and that certain details were subject to change. It was revealed that Zero-G was unable to create extra vocals due to financial reasons, but if DEX sold well, they may consider the option. There were additional phonemes for him, however, they do not allow multilingual capabilities as Zero-G focused solely on the English language.

A second stream was held to clear up issues that arose from miscommunication in the first. Unlike many other VOCALOIDs, DEX was not recorded within a studio. His voice provider was a professional musician with a suitable mic and he came from the fandom. The voice providers were recruited in December 2014 to help with the beta, along with Lupin and AkiGlancy.

As there were still work to be done, a July release was not possible for DEX. Barring any technical difficulties, he would have been ready for YAMAHA's approval in August.[4]

On July 27, beta testing was finished and final touch-ups were left to the programmers. Further promotions were handled by Zero-G and design work was handed to them for a final decision.[5]

On September 4, AkiGlancy reported that all work requirements were finished. She noted that Zero-G would be responsible to reveal the release date.[6] Later, she explained that the voice providers were likely to be revealed around the months of November or February. This allowed DEX and DAINA to have their initial sales based solely off their software and to avoid any biased sales that may be accumulated through the reveal of their providers. It was unknown if Zero-G would announce this information on their own media or during a convention.[7] It was later confirmed that they would be revealed in February during Katsucon.[8]

On September 6, AkiGlancy tweeted it was unlikely that DEX would be sold as a starter pack.[9] On October 2, she clarified that Zero-G was waiting for YAMAHA's final answer in terms of the release dates. DEX and DAINA were both ready and waited for YAMAHA's approval, which was the reason for their continuous delays.[10][11] On October 12, Lupin confirmed that they would be released separately as digital downloads.[12]

Tests with distributors prompted an alternate design to be produced for DEX, removing his animal traits.[13] On October 22, the alternative design was confirmed to have slight changes to the original, but still retained the theme of The Fox and The Hound. This was done to appeal to non Japanese-styled art fans.[14]

AkiGlancy also briefly explained that Zero-G did not have a plan for the pair's physical copies due to several reasons. One major reason was that the company had observed that their VOCALOIDs tended to sell better as digital downloads and it was too costly to create physical packages. However, if DEX and DAINA sold well, a physical release may be a future option. In the meantime, AkiGlancy planned to ask the company about "mock" boxarts, similar to what galaco had for her original voicebank. She felt that this would be much more beneficial to customers.[15]

On November 2, it was confirmed that DEX was with YAMAHA for over a month and a half for testing. During this period, YAMAHA searched the voicebank for bugs and informed Zero-G about the issues that needed repairing. After repairs, Zero-G needed to resubmit the vocals for additional check ups.[16] It was later mentioned that YAMAHA may complete final compression on the week of November 9 or later. Once compression had been completed, DEX and DAINA would be released shortly after.[17] They were officially released on November 20.[18]

On December 12, DEX was released for Mac via VOCALOID4 for Cubase.[19]

2016[]

During Katsucon on February 13, 2016, it was revealed that Lupin and AkiGlancy were the voice providers for DEX and DAINA.[20]

Product Information[]

Demonstrations[]

Demonstrations

"Feeling Good" and "Yesterday" YouTube
Livestream Demo YouTube
Caitlin CLYP
"Say Something" and "Paparazzi" YouTube
Respire (longer version) SoundCloud
A Wicked Girl and a Tin Boy SoundCloud
Two Weeks SoundCloud
My Impulse SoundCloud
Say Something part II SoundCloud

A cover released on November 25, 2015 was placed on DEX's product page as an example of a track by a "Dex user".[21]

System Requirements[]

  • OS:
    • Windows: Windows 10 (32/64bit) / Windows 8.1 / Windows 8 / Windows 7 (32/64bit)
  • CPU: Intel Dual Core CPU
  • RAM: 2GB or more
  • Hard Disk Capacity: More than 4GB
  • Internet connection.
  • Note: DEX has been compressed to segmented .RAR format for the download. After purchase you will download 7 separate RAR files. The first RAR file contains the installation instructions, user license and audio demos. The total size of the download is 2.98 gigabytes.

Voicebanks[]

Product Information
Optimum
  Genre: Pop, Rock, EDM  Optimum Range: B1 ~ F#3[22]  No. of Keys: W ~ 12, B ~ 8, Total ~ 20
Versions
  Trial/Demo Vers?: No  Starter Available?: No
Package details as noted:

DEX continues as a part of Zero-G's releases, focusing on a specific genre of music. He was announced as a more "Pop, Rock and EDM" focused vocal and has a powerful masculine voice. His accent is described as "general American" like RUBY's. He sings in Tenor and Bass. After his provider was revealed, Kenji-B later stated he is a tenor, so Dex likely leans towards being a tenor.[23]

During recording, the provider was ordered to give as much power to the vocal as possible.[24]

Vocal traits as noted:
  • According to EmpathP:
    • He is one of the most understandable English vocaloids.[25]
    • EmpathP describes DEX as "fantastic", noting that the effort put into the voice showed well within the voicebank.
    • EmpathP stated that DEX was a vocal that many fans had previously asked for.[26]
    • She said that DEX holds pitch as well as AVANNA.
    • He sounds more emotive with DAINA.
  • He has 3 layers of pitch articulations and 6 layers of stationary pitches.[27]
  • Lupin stated that DEX is easier to mix than AVANNA.
  • In the live stream it was said that DEX is a "power" type vocal and is less expressive.
  • DEX has GWL capabilities but not XSY.
  • DEX is not a voice acted voice.
  • He is said to be "very easy" to use.
  • DEX's bass is harsher than YOHIOloid's but not as much as KAITO's.
Phonetic notes as noted:
  • DEX does not support any other language, being focused only on English. However, added phonemes intended for English will make him easier to use in other languages.
  • He has more phonemes than YOHIOloid.
  • Giuseppe confirmed that both DEX and DAINA had the phonetics h\, 4, and e@0, like RUBY. However, unlike RUBY, they both do not have the "R" phonetic.[28]
  • After release and feed back, Kenji-B responded with a phonetic combination chart for anyone who didn't like particular results.'
Software issues as noted:
  • DEX has a flat tone associated with this "power tone" and in consequence, he sounds less emotive than DAINA.
  • In the stream it was revealed they were rushed in production. Despite this, they produce HQ results, but DEX has a higher quality than DAINA.
  • DEX is a lot louder than other Engloid and may overpower his counterpart DAINA.
  • He shares the same problems to AVANNA, to know, loud consonants.
Voicebank sample



References[]

  1. http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=433942&start=15#p6075938
  2. http://www.vocaloidotaku.net/index.php?/topic/60706-zero-g-to-release-2-new-vocaloids/page__p__1264175&#entry1264175
  3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1bJToHUnwM
  4. http://engloids.info/news/dex-and-daina-livestream-summary/
  5. http://www.vocaloidotaku.net/index.php?/topic/60706-dex-and-daina-two-new-vocaloids-from-zero-g/page__view__findpost__p__1282184
  6. http://www.vocaloidotaku.net/index.php?/topic/60706-dex-and-daina-two-new-vocaloids-from-zero-g/page__view__findpost__p__1293580
  7. http://www.vocaloidotaku.net/index.php?/topic/60706-dex-and-daina-two-new-vocaloids-from-zero-g/page__view__findpost__p__1293585
  8. Katsucon
  9. https://twitter.com/AkiGlancy/status/640728234414309379
  10. http://www.vocaloidotaku.net/index.php?/topic/60706-dex-and-daina-two-new-vocaloids-from-zero-g/page__view__findpost__p__1300455
  11. http://www.vocaloidotaku.net/index.php?/topic/60706-dex-and-daina-two-new-vocaloids-from-zero-g/page__view__findpost__p__1307507
  12. http://www.vocaloidotaku.net/index.php?/topic/60706-dex-and-daina-two-new-vocaloids-from-zero-g/page__view__findpost__p__1303082
  13. http://www.vocaloidotaku.net/index.php?/topic/60706-dex-and-daina-two-new-vocaloids-from-zero-g/page__pid__1277363__st__660&#entry1277363
  14. http://www.vocaloidnews.net/en/2015/10/23/dex-and-daina-update-design-change-and-boxed-version/ they're getting alt designs
  15. http://www.vocaloidotaku.net/index.php?/topic/60706-dex-and-daina-two-new-vocaloids-from-zero-g/page__view__findpost__p__1305299
  16. http://www.vocaloidotaku.net/index.php?/topic/60706-dex-and-daina-two-new-vocaloids-from-zero-g/page__st__1095__p__1307775&#entry1307775
  17. Final Compression
  18. https://twitter.com/Kenji_Baionoto/status/667779615193190400
  19. https://www.zero-g.co.uk/store/p546.php
  20. http://www.vocaloidotaku.net/index.php?/topic/65122-voice-providers-for-dex-and-daina-revealed/page__pid__1332951__st__0&#entry1332951
  21. User track cover
  22. Vocal range revealed in video presentation.
  23. link
  24. link
  25. link
  26. link
  27. link
  28. link

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