Vocaloid 5

VOCALOID 5 is a digital audio workstation software developed by Yamaha Corporation for synthesizing singing voices from inputted lyrics and melodies, serving as the fifth iteration in the VOCALOID series, the direct successor to VOCALOID 4, and predecessor to VOCALOID6 (2018–2022).^[1]^[2] Released on July 12, 2018, it introduced enhanced tools for music production, allowing users to generate realistic vocal performances across various genres using voice databases known as "voicebanks."^[1] The software was designed to improve upon previous versions by emphasizing ease of use and expressive capabilities, featuring a drag-and-drop interface for song creation with over 2,000 preset phrases and audio clips to streamline the production process.^[1] It expanded vocal control with 13 expression parameters, including three new ones—vocal tone, breath amount, and opening—enabling finer adjustments to nuances like breathiness and clarity in synthesized singing.^[1] Additionally, VOCALOID 5 incorporated a Style function offering approximately 100 predefined singing styles and an Emotion tool for visualizing and applying emotional variations to vocals, alongside 11 built-in audio effects for track processing.^[1] VOCALOID 5 supports integration as a VST or AU plugin in digital audio workstations and accepts external MIDI input, broadening its compatibility for professional music environments.^[1] It is backward compatible with voicebanks from VOCALOID 3 and 4, and includes the VOCALOID 4.5 Editor for Cubase to facilitate upgrades and workflow continuity.^[1] Available in Standard and Premium editions, the former bundles four English and Japanese voicebanks (Amy, Chris, Kaori, and Ken), while the latter adds four more (VY1, VY2, CYBER SONGMAN II, and CYBER DIVA II) for greater diversity in vocal timbres.^[1] As of 2025, VOCALOID 5 remains supported by Yamaha, with software updaters and additional V5-compatible voicebanks, such as Yan He V5 and Yuezheng Ling V5, available for purchase through the official VOCALOID SHOP.^[3]^[4]^[5] The platform runs on Windows 8.1/10/11 (64-bit) and macOS 10.13–15 (64-bit), with support for Apple Silicon on macOS (version 5.6.3 and higher for macOS 10.15–12, 5.7.2 and higher for macOS 13+), requiring at least 4 GB of RAM (8 GB recommended) and at least 20 GB of storage for the Standard edition or 35 GB for the Premium edition.^[6]

Development and Release

Announcement and Development

Vocaloid 5's development was led by Yamaha Corporation's internal team, building on the foundation of Vocaloid 4 released in 2014, with a focus on improving synthesis efficiency and user workflow. The primary goals centered on enhancing vocal expressiveness through the addition of 13 parameters, including new controls for vocal tone and breath amount, to allow for more natural and varied singing styles compared to previous versions.^[1] This effort also emphasized expanded integration of multi-language voicebanks, supporting both English and Japanese to broaden accessibility for global music producers.^[7] The software was announced by Yamaha on July 12, 2018, via an official press release, coinciding with its immediate digital release as a downloadable product from the VOCALOID Shop. Preceding the announcement, Yamaha scheduled maintenance for the official website on July 12, 2018, from 00:00 to 11:00 JST, which served as an indirect teaser building anticipation within the Vocaloid community.^[8]^[1] This update came four years after Vocaloid 4.^[1] Notably, Vocaloid 5 was the first iteration in the series sold exclusively as bundles including default voicebanks—Amy and Kaori for female voices, Chris and Ken for male—eliminating standalone engine purchases to streamline entry for users.^[7]

Release Details

Vocaloid 5 was officially released on July 12, 2018, by Yamaha Corporation as the successor to Vocaloid 4, available initially for both Windows (versions 7, 8.1, and 10, 64-bit) and macOS (OS X 10.11, macOS 10.12, and 10.13, 64-bit).^[1] The software launched exclusively through digital download on the official Vocaloid Shop website, with no physical media options provided at release, facilitating immediate access for users worldwide.^[1] It was bundled with four default voicebanks in the Standard Edition—Amy and Chris for English, and Kaori and Ken for Japanese—allowing users to begin creating vocals right away.^[1] Initial pricing was set at 25,000 Japanese yen (approximately $226 USD at 2018 exchange rates) for the Standard Edition and 40,000 Japanese yen (approximately $362 USD) for the Premium Edition, which included eight voicebanks by adding VY1, VY2, CYBER SONGMAN II, and CYBER DIVA II.^[1] Upgrade editions from prior Vocaloid versions were offered at reduced rates of 15,000 yen for Standard and 24,000 yen for Premium.^[1] Distribution emphasized seamless integration with the existing Vocaloid ecosystem, as the software supported compatibility with Vocaloid 3 and 4 voicebanks, enabling users to incorporate their previous libraries without needing to repurchase content.^[9]^[6] This digital-only model and backward compatibility contributed to early adoption among established producers in the virtual vocal production community.^[6]

Features and Capabilities

Core Enhancements

Vocaloid 5 introduced significant advancements in its vocal synthesis engine, building upon the foundations of Vocaloid 4 to deliver more natural and expressive singing voices. The engine features three new vocal expression parameters—bringing the total to 13—that enable finer control over elements such as tone, breathiness, and gender factors, allowing users to adjust dynamics, vibrato, and overall vocal timbre with greater precision than in previous iterations.^[1] These enhancements result in improved handling of subtle nuances like breath control and vibrato variation, making synthesized performances sound more lifelike and emotionally varied.^[10] A key innovation is the phrase-based editing system, which streamlines song assembly by providing over 2,000 customizable preset phrases and audio samples for drag-and-drop integration. This approach reduces the need for extensive manual parameter adjustments, enabling quicker prototyping of vocal tracks while maintaining high fidelity in blending transitions between phrases.^[1] The system supports approximately 100 singing styles through an emotion tool that visualizes and applies stylistic variations, further enhancing expressivity without compromising synthesis quality.^[1] Audio processing capabilities were expanded with 11 built-in effects, including reverb, pitch correction, and attack/release modifiers, which can be applied directly to vocal tracks for real-time refinement. These effects integrate seamlessly with the synthesis engine, offering tools like breath and gender adjustment to simulate diverse vocal performances efficiently.^[1] Multi-language support saw notable improvements, particularly in phoneme handling for English and Japanese voicebanks.^[1]

User Interface and Tools

Vocaloid 5 introduced a redesigned user interface that emphasizes intuitiveness and efficiency, featuring a simplified timeline for parameter editing that allows users to visually adjust elements like pitch, dynamics, and voice color directly on the track view. This overhaul includes drag-and-drop functionality for inserting pre-recorded voice phrases and audio samples onto the timeline, streamlining the process of building vocal arrangements without manual note entry. The interface supports multi-track projects with color-coded VOCALOID tracks, selectable from 16 distinct colors to organize multi-voice compositions clearly.^[11]^[12] Key tools within the editor include a built-in tuner accessible via the piano roll, enabling real-time pitch curve adjustments for precise intonation control during synthesis. The style selector panel offers preset combinations of singing styles, voice colors, and effects, with options for word/tag search and customization to apply consistent vocal characteristics across phrases. Effect chaining is facilitated through integrated audio effects such as gain, de-esser, compressor, equalizer, and reverb, alongside attack-release parameters for pitch, dynamics, tone, and ornamentation, allowing sequential processing directly in the editor without external dependencies.^[11]^[13] Workflow efficiencies in Vocaloid 5 reduce reliance on external plugins by removing support for Job Plugins, integrating all essential processing into the core software for a more self-contained environment. An embedded sample library browser provides access to over 1,000 customizable voice phrases and more than 1,000 audio samples in WAV format (44.1 kHz/16-bit), complete with preview playback and drag-and-drop integration to the timeline. These changes promote faster iteration in vocal production, particularly when combined with synthesis enhancements like improved rendering performance.^[14]^[11]^[12] To enhance accessibility, Vocaloid 5 incorporates extensive keyboard shortcuts, such as Ctrl+1 for the arrow tool, Ctrl+E for the emotion tool, and Ctrl+I for inserting lyrics, facilitating quicker navigation and editing for users at all skill levels. Tutorial integration is available through the Help menu (F1), linking to the reference manual and official walkthrough videos that guide beginners on interface basics, track setup, and parameter tuning.^[11]^[12]

Editions and Pricing

Standard Edition

The Standard Edition of Vocaloid 5 serves as the entry-level package, providing users with the core vocal synthesis software and four bundled voicebanks designed for basic music production needs.^[1] It includes the full Vocaloid 5 synthesis engine, which supports drag-and-drop song creation using over 2,000 preset phrases and audio clips, along with access to 13 vocal expression parameters—including three new ones—vocal tone, breath amount, and opening—to enable nuanced control over synthesized vocals.^[1] Additionally, the edition features 11 built-in audio effects for processing, such as reverb, chorus, and pitch correction, and offers compatibility with VST, AU plugins, and MIDI input for integration into digital audio workstations on Windows and macOS.^[1] The included voicebanks are Amy, an English female voice suited for expressive R&B and pop styles; Chris, an English male voice with a wide range for R&B genres; Kaori, a Japanese female voice delivering soulful tones and powerful sustains; and Ken, a Japanese male voice characterized by sharp articulation ideal for J-pop.^[1] These voicebanks provide bilingual coverage for beginners experimenting with vocal synthesis across English and Japanese tracks, emphasizing versatility in diverse musical genres without requiring advanced customization.^[1] Unlike the Premium Edition, the Standard Edition lacks additional voicebanks, making it suitable for hobbyists and entry-level users who seek an affordable introduction to vocal synthesis.^[15] Launched at approximately 25,000 yen (equivalent to about $225 USD at the time), it is available exclusively as a digital download through the official Vocaloid Shop.^[1]^[15] This pricing and content structure targets aspiring creators exploring vocal synthesis for personal projects, offering essential functionality without the overhead of premium bundles. As of 2025, it remains available digitally through the VOCALOID SHOP.^[16]

Premium Edition

The Premium Edition of VOCALOID5 encompasses all functionalities of the Standard Edition while incorporating four additional voicebanks to offer greater versatility for music production. Priced at 40,000 JPY (approximately $360 USD at the time of release), this edition is designed for professional studios and advanced producers requiring an expanded set of singing voices without immediate need for separate purchases.^[17] Key inclusions beyond the Standard Edition's four voicebanks (Amy, Chris, Kaori, and Ken) are the Japanese-language female voicebank VY1, Japanese-language male voicebank VY2, English-language female voicebank CYBER DIVA II, and English-language male voicebank CYBER SONGMAN II, enabling access to over 1,000 combined phrases and styles across diverse vocal timbres and languages.^[1]^[18] The software supports professional workflows, including fine-grained parameter adjustments, multi-track export capabilities for seamless integration into larger projects, and compatibility with digital audio workstations (DAWs) such as Cubase via VST3 and AU plugins.^[1]^[19] Availability is limited to bundled digital downloads through the official VOCALOID SHOP, with upgrade paths available at discounted rates for owners of prior VOCALOID editors, including priority access to software updates and maintenance patches.^[20] This positioning emphasizes its utility for complex productions, such as those involving multilingual tracks or varied vocal expressions. As of 2025, it remains available digitally through the VOCALOID SHOP.^[16]

Voice Libraries

English Voicebanks

The English voicebanks for Vocaloid 5 consist of four primary libraries designed to provide natural American English synthesis suitable for a range of contemporary music genres. Released alongside the Vocaloid 5 software on July 12, 2018, these voicebanks emphasize improved phonetic accuracy and expressive capabilities, building on prior generations while adapting to the engine's enhanced editing tools. Amy and Chris serve as the bundled standard vocals in both the Standard and Premium editions, offering accessible entry points for English-language production, while Cyber Diva II and Cyber Songman II represent updated versions of earlier libraries, available as separate downloads for expanded options in electronic and rhythmic styles. Amy is an expressive female voicebank tailored for contemporary singing, featuring natural pronunciation and a versatile range of vocal tones that suit genres from R&B to pop. Recorded with a focus on dynamic expression, it allows users to achieve varied timbres through parameter adjustments in the Vocaloid 5 editor, making it ideal for melodic and rhythmic tracks. As part of the core package, Amy integrates seamlessly with the software's phrase-based workflow for quick song assembly. Chris provides an authentic male voicebank with an R&B foundation, capable of delivering a wide dynamic range from delicate, soft bass notes to powerful, sustained high tones. This versatility supports both ballads and upbeat compositions, with an emphasis on natural English phonetics to ensure clear articulation in synthesized performances. Like Amy, Chris is included in the standard Vocaloid 5 editions, enabling producers to layer or alternate vocals efficiently within projects. Cyber Diva II is an updated female voicebank derived from the Vocaloid 4 library, offering smooth vocals characterized by clear articulation and powerful long tones suitable for dance and electronic music. The minor adjustments in this version enhance compatibility with Vocaloid 5's interface, preserving the original's energetic delivery while refining stability for extended phrases. Released on July 12, 2018, it is sold separately for users seeking a bolder, performance-oriented English option.^[18] Cyber Songman II serves as the male counterpart update from Vocaloid 4, delivering clean-cut vocals adaptable to all genres, with a particular strength in R&B and hip-hop styles through precise tone control. This voicebank includes subtle refinements to the source material for better integration with Vocaloid 5, maintaining its reputation for versatile, professional-grade synthesis. Also launched on July 12, 2018, it is available as a standalone purchase to complement the standard libraries.^[21]

Japanese Voicebanks

The Japanese voicebanks for Vocaloid 5 are designed to capture the nuances of the Japanese language, including hiragana input support for precise phonetic rendering, enabling natural synthesis of lyrics in genres like J-pop, rock, and ballads. These libraries emphasize cultural vocal styles, such as clear enunciation and emotional depth, which differ from English voicebanks' focus on accent neutralization and broader phonetic flexibility. Developed primarily by Yamaha and partners like AH-Software and Gynoid, they feature professional recordings optimized for the Vocaloid 5 engine's enhanced parameters for dynamics and expression. Kaori serves as the default Japanese female voicebank bundled with Vocaloid 5, offering a soulful tone suitable for versatile applications across various genres. Recorded by an undisclosed Japanese vocalist in a professional studio setting, it excels in emotional expression through adjustable parameters for breathiness and vibrato, making it ideal for expressive J-pop and ballad performances.^[17] Ken, the complementary Japanese male voicebank also included as standard in Vocaloid 5, provides a powerful and clear timbre well-suited for rock and dynamic ballads. Its recording process involves studio sessions emphasizing a wide dynamic range, with engine parameters allowing control over intensity and resonance to achieve robust vocal delivery.^[17] VY1, Yamaha's inaugural female Japanese voicebank for Vocaloid 5, delivers smooth, natural vocals with clear and powerful long tones, building on refinements from prior versions for enhanced clarity. Recorded in a professional environment to prioritize versatile highs, it supports emotional phrasing through the engine's blend controls, suitable for a range of tempos and styles.^[22] VY2, the counterpart male Japanese voicebank from Yamaha, features an energetic and inviting tone with a sexy edge and strong projection, ideal for engaging performances. Its studio recording focuses on edgy, carrying qualities across lows, with Vocaloid 5 parameters enabling dynamic adjustments for power and nuance.^[23] Haruno Sora, developed by AH-Software and released in July 2018, offers two variants: Natural, with a soft and gentle quality from voice actress Kikuko Inoue, perfect for lyrical ballads and elegant mid-tempo songs; and Cool, providing powerful resonance for sharp, dynamic expressions. Both were recorded professionally to capture Inoue's renowned versatile range, incorporating attack and release effects for refined emotional control and anime-inspired youthful tones.^[24]^[25] Meika Hime and Mikoto, twin female voicebanks by Gynoid released in March 2019 with an ume tree motif and voiced by Kotori Koiwai, emphasize cute and whispery styles alongside powerful delivery. Hime's bright, cheery vocals suit gentle, upbeat tracks with a wide pitch range (D2–C5), while Mikoto's cool, intense tone handles dynamic ranges effectively; both feature over 300 supplementary WAV phrases from studio recordings optimized for Vocaloid 5's phonetic blending and tempo flexibility (50–220 BPM).^[26]^[27]

Other Language Voicebanks

Vocaloid 5 received updated Mandarin Chinese voicebanks in collaboration with Shanghai HENIAN Information Technology Co., Ltd., providing V5-optimized versions of existing characters for enhanced synthesis within the engine.^[28] These voicebanks were released on February 12, 2023, with international digital availability starting April 26, 2023, and utilize pinyin input for lyrics to ensure accurate phonetic rendering, while displaying simplified Chinese characters for user convenience.^[28]^[29] Unlike earlier versions, Vocaloid 5 does not support cross-lingual cross-synthesis (XSY), limiting advanced vocal blending to within-language capabilities. The Luo Tianyi V5 voicebank features a soothing, young female vocal designed for versatile music creation, including Chinese pop styles. It includes three distinct configurations: Meng (Normal) for a balanced and adaptable tone, Ning (Power) for dynamic and forceful expressions, and Wan (Nature) for gentle, soft nuances suitable across genres.^[30] This update builds on her status as the world's first Chinese Vocaloid, enhancing expressiveness with improved Mandarin phoneme accuracy.^[30] Yuezheng Ling V5 provides a youthful and energetic female voice, characterized by bright and powerful vocals that inspire lively performances. It comprises two voicebanks: Chi (Normal), offering a full, resonant quality optimized for higher ranges, and You (Dark), which adds emotional depth and flexibility for varied musical interpretations.^[5] The design emphasizes improved Mandarin articulation, allowing for energetic styles in contemporary Chinese music production.^[5] Yan He V5 delivers a mature, versatile female voice with a unique, deep-toned and androgynous quality, evoking a refreshingly futuristic style. It features two voicebanks: Qing (Normal) for full and resonant tones, and Mu (Sweet) for gentle, smooth emotional conveyance.^[4] This configuration prioritizes dialect accuracy in Mandarin, supporting a broad range of expressive singing from powerful to whispery deliveries.^[4]

Compatibility and Updates

Backward Compatibility

Vocaloid 5 maintains backward compatibility with voicebanks from Vocaloid 3 and Vocaloid 4, allowing users to load and utilize these libraries directly within the editor without additional configuration. Upon installation and startup, older voicebanks are automatically detected and displayed in the voice selection interface, enabling seamless integration into new projects.^[31] Projects created in Vocaloid 4 and Vocaloid 3, saved in the .vsqx file format, can be opened or imported into Vocaloid 5, preserving the core structure including lyrics, melody, and basic parameters. However, certain advanced features from prior versions, such as Job Plugins and Cross-Synthesis, are not supported in Vocaloid 5, requiring users to recreate any effects reliant on these tools. Additionally, the Growl function is limited to compatible Vocaloid 4 voicebanks only.^[32]^[6] The software's system requirements ensure compatibility with modern hardware while accommodating a range of setups from legacy users. It supports Windows 8.1, 10, and 11 (64-bit only, with latest updates) and macOS 10.13 (High Sierra) through 15 (Sequoia), with a minimum of 4 GB RAM (8 GB recommended) and at least 20 GB of free storage for the standard edition. Note that Windows 7 and 8 are no longer supported due to ended Microsoft updates, though earlier installations may still function on minimum specs with varying performance. For optimal audio performance on Windows, ASIO-compatible drivers are recommended to minimize latency during editing and playback.^[6] Yamaha provides free updater tools for Vocaloid 5, including patches for the editor and voicebanks, to address compatibility issues and enhance performance with legacy content; for instance, updates from version 5.7.0 onward include safeguards against data overwrites in older projects. These updates can be downloaded directly from the official support site, ensuring continued usability for users transitioning from previous versions.^[20]

Software Updates and Maintenance

Following its release, Vocaloid 5 underwent a series of updates to enhance stability, performance, and user experience, with multiple major versions released between 2018 and 2023. Early maintenance efforts focused on platform-specific improvements, such as version 5.1 in 2019, which addressed macOS stability issues to prevent crashes and improve compatibility with Apple hardware.^[20] Subsequent updates introduced new features and bug fixes, including enhanced integration with digital audio workstations like Cubase through updates to the VOCALOID Editor for Cubase (version 4.5 and later), allowing smoother workflow in professional production environments. Bug fixes targeted phrase rendering, notably in version 5.6.0 (released April 2020), which added gradual part rendering to reduce processing times and audio artifacts during synthesis.^[20] Voicebank expansions continued via downloadable content (DLC) until 2022, enabling users to acquire additional singing voices compatible with the engine without needing a full software upgrade. The final stable release, version 5.7.2 on December 7, 2023, incorporated security patches and resolved compatibility issues, such as preventing the AU plugin from failing to load in Logic Pro on macOS 14 Sonoma.^[20] Following the release of Vocaloid 6 on October 13, 2022, Yamaha shifted primary development focus to the newer engine, with the final update to Vocaloid 5 (version 5.7.2) released on December 7, 2023. As of November 2025, no further updates have been issued, though legacy support for existing installations continues.^[2]^[20]

Reception and Impact

Critical Reviews

Professional reviewers praised Vocaloid 5 for its advancements in vocal expressiveness and user accessibility, particularly highlighting the new phrase customization options that allow for over 1,000 editable phrases and singing styles to create more natural-sounding performances.^[33] The inclusion of 11 built-in audio effects, such as reverb, chorus, and distortion, was noted for providing greater variety in vocal processing directly within the software, reducing the need for external plugins in initial mixes.^[17] These features were seen as making the software more approachable for producers seeking quick, realistic vocal prototypes without extensive manual tuning.^[15] Critics pointed out several shortcomings in the user interface, describing it as clunky in areas like the lack of a dedicated button to collapse the lower editing zone, requiring keyboard shortcuts instead, which disrupted workflow for some users.^[15] The removal of the cross-synthesis (XSY) feature from previous versions frustrated professional users who relied on it for blending voice characteristics across libraries, forcing workarounds or abandonment of complex hybrid vocals.^[33] Additionally, voice settings tied to individual MIDI clips rather than tracks complicated edits in multi-part arrangements.^[15] In comparisons to Vocaloid 4, reviewers noted improvements in realism through parameters like Singer Skill and breath control.^[33] Tech outlets assigned ratings around 9/10, commending its accessibility for beginners while noting it fell short in speeding up professional workflows compared to human vocal recording.^[33]^[15]

Community Response

Vocaloid 5 gained traction within the fan community for its role in producing hybrid English-Japanese tracks, allowing producers to blend voicebanks like Amy and Ken with Japanese counterparts for more versatile song creation. This adoption was facilitated by its integration as a VST/AU plugin, streamlining workflows in popular digital audio workstations and enabling quicker experimentation in fan music production.^[33] User feedback highlighted the software's enhanced voice quality, with voices described as warmer and more expressive due to features like the Singer Skill parameter, which introduces natural imperfections for realism, and improved dynamics for better blending. However, some users expressed frustration over the removal of Vocaloid 2 voicebank compatibility and the cross-synthesis (XSY) parameter, which previously allowed advanced tuning for custom voice colors, increasing perceived complexity in editing. Discussions on production forums echoed this mix, praising the rebuilt user interface for its preset-based flexibility while noting a learning curve for intricate tuning tasks.^[33] The release boosted independent creators by reducing vocal production time—such as shortening phrase rendering from six minutes in Vocaloid 4 to five in Vocaloid 5—and providing tools for abstract sound design, harmonies, and effects without needing live vocalists. This accessibility empowered "Vocalo-P" producers to share work on platforms like NicoNico, fostering a vibrant subculture of fan videos and original compositions that extended Vocaloid's cultural reach. Following the release of Vocaloid 6 in October 2022 with AI enhancements, community interest shifted toward the newer version, though Vocaloid 5 remained a staple for many hobbyists.^[33]^[2] As of 2025, Vocaloid 5 continues to receive software updates, such as version 5.7.2 in December 2023, and maintains an active user base in online forums and production communities.^[34]