PowerFX Systems AB. General information Type Public Genre Music and video Foundation 1995 Founder Key_people Bil Bryant (Production and CEO) Andreas Tyson (Production Manager) Einar Andersson (Chief Technical Officer) Location Stockholm, Sweden Area_served Europe Industry Software, Internet Products Listed on Wikipedia Services Online shopping Music education Consumer generated media Additional information Vocaloid(s) Sweet Ann Big Al Oliver Website http://powerfx.com/

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PowerFX is a small recording company, based in Stockholm, Sweden. This company has been producing music samples, loops and sound effects since 1995.

AboutEdit

They are the creators of vocaloid Sweet Ann and Big Al. They were first introduced to the software after the introduction of first Vocaloids from Zero-G at the NAMM trade show (Lola and Leon) and were later recommended to Yamaha by Crypton Future Media.

Originally they used an old 20th movie poster style of boxart for both Sweet Ann and Big-Al, but due to fan reaction later would switch Big-Al's artwork to a more western/anime style prior to his release. PowerFX's vocaloids are unique in that they are based on monsters of classic horror and science fiction (sometimes fans call their vocaloids "Monsteroids" / "Monsterloids"). After Big-Al's release they noted they intend to continue this for future vocaloids and were considering even producing a virtual boy band of vocaloids.^[1]

According to Bil Bryant, they chose to do a monster morph-type character design from the beginning to create a character for fans to become familiar with the product, after noting that this is what fans prefer. They felt it was easier to recognize and sell however if they had a comic-esque character design heading the product. Not including a character alienates the product from the fandom.^[2]

VoicebanksEdit

Vocaloid2Edit

Sweet Ann       Feminine; English vocals

Big Al       Masculine; English vocals

Vocaloid3Edit

Oliver       Masculine; English vocals

UnreleasedEdit

Main article: Status

YOHIOloid       Masculine; English/Jpn vocals

Unknown        ???; English vocals

Current Voicebank projectsEdit

PowerFX are currently running tests with various vocalists for the next VocaTone project;

• They have confirmed a vocaloid based on YOHIO with English/Japanese capabilities
• PowerFX also have an American accented vocaloid (currently on hold until YOHIO's vocaloid is released).

Future Voicebank possibilitiesEdit

• Anders confirmed that if English Vocaloids become more popular, Zero-G and PowerFX will consider making Appends for their Vocaloids.
• According to Anders, if there is demand updates for all past Zero-G and PowerFX Vocaloids to newer engines, it is a possibility. The major factor in this though is the workload needed and involvement in the process against the demand.
• PowerFX have recently confirmed they want to do a V3 Sweet Ann, but due to focus on their soundation product, and pulling together money for update, they currently cannot produce this voicebank.

Promotional involvementEdit

MusikMesse fairEdit

The first song demo using Big-Al, “Make Me Feel”, was prepared by Alexei Ustinov for the Frankfurt MusikMesse 2007 fair.

My SpaceEdit

Sweet Ann was originally given a My Space page as part of promotion for her.

Sweet Ann boxart competitionEdit

After the much welcomed improved artwork of Big-Al, there were talks of a competition to design a new artwork for Sweet Ann.^[3][4]

Fan feedbackEdit

They are also one of two studios that supports Vocaloid Otaku forums which they use for fan feed back the other studio being Zero-G.

YOHIO Vocaloid boxart competitionEdit

PowerFX will be holding a competition for the package design of their upcoming Vocaloid voiced by YOHIO. More details are to be announced.

ReferencesEdit

External linksEdit

• Official site: PowerFX
• Twitter: PowerFX
• MySpace: Sweet Ann
• Engloid Blog: Interview: Bil Bryant (Production and CEO of PowerFX)
• Youtube Channel: PowerFX Systems
• Facebook: Vocaloid Oliver

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