CUL (software) explained

CUL
Screenshot Size:200px
Developer:Internet Co., Ltd.
Released:December 22, 2011
Operating System:Windows
Platform:PC, Mac
Language:Japanese
Genre:Vocal Synthesizer Application
License:Proprietary

is a female vocal software originally released for Vocaloid 3. The voicebank of CUL was created using voice samples of Eri Kitamura, a Japanese voice actress and singer. The characters name, CUL, has double meanings both meaning Culture and Culnoza, a collaborative group organized by Hiroto-P.[1]

Development

CUL's first appearance as a character was as the mascot for the television program VOCALO Revolution, in which she utilized the voicebank of VY1 for her promotional appearances in the show. She also made an appearance in shorts such as CUL makes Revolution! and her own website, CUL project: official, a website designed to promote making her an official voicebank.[2]

On June 8, 2011, Yamaha Corporation announced that CUL would become an official Vocaloid, with Eri Kitamura as her voice provider, and the publisher to be Internet Co., Ltd.

Additional software

In 2011, a male counterpart of CUL was announced to be released as a Vocaloid called REV designed by CUL's creator, Hiroto-P, however, plans fell through and this never came to fruition.[3]

In July 2013, Internet Co., Ltd. announced a Mac version of the CUL voicebank for the Mac version of Vocaloid 3, VOCALOID NEO.

In March 2021, ROSA, the younger sister of CUL, was announced by Hiroto-P to be receiving an AI voicebank in the near future.[4] ROSA was later released as a Talk Voice by ZAN-SHIN Co., Ltd. for CeVIO.

On March 27, 2022, Hiroto-P announced the RE:CUL Project, a project revolving around CUL's sisters.[5] One of CUL's sisters, WHITECUL, was later announced to be receiving a speech library for VOICEVOX.[6]

Characteristics

Name CUL
Release December 22, 2011
Suggested Tempo 40 - 200 bpm
Suggested Vocal Range F2 - E4

Notable music

Even though CUL is considered to be a less popular Vocaloid, she has a few notable songs, such as:

Numerous other songs and covers featuring CUL have also reached over 100,000 views on YouTube and Niconico.

Video Game

CUL has appeared in an iOS game called "Vocadol" along with other Vocaloid characters Anon & Kanon, VY1, Aoki Lapis, Merli, Lily and Kokone.[7]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: VOCALOID™3 CUL|株式会社インターネット . www.ssw.co.jp . 23 April 2024.
  2. Web site: 初音ミクみく 20110222 . 23 April 2024 . 9 December 2012 . 9 December 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121209160231/http://vocaloid.blog120.fc2.com/blog-date-20110222.html . bot: unknown .
  3. Web site: deecloud - Twitter . 23 April 2024.
  4. Web site: deecloud - Twitter . 23 April 2024.
  5. Web site: deecloud - Twitter . 23 April 2024.
  6. Web site: CUL1224 - Twitter . 23 April 2024.
  7. Web site: VOCADOL. 27 April 2016.