In this tutorial video, we’re going to show you how to make computer vocals using Yamaha’s Vocaloid 5 plugin.

As a producer, when I’m composing music that has lyrics I prefer to test them out first to be sure they sound great before I head into the studio to record with an actual vocalist. This is where Yamaha’s Vocaloid 5 comes in to streamline my creative workflow!

If you’ve never heard of it, Vocaloid is a software synthesizer that emulates the sound of a real human voice. It’s as easy as adding in MIDI notes to your DAW of choice (or into the stand-alone software), typing in your lyrics and hitting play. Vocaloid will automatically disperse each syllable of your lyrics over the MIDI notes you’ve added.

This software enables you to select from a wide variety of vocal types, styles, languages, and effects. With all of these options, it’s super easy to find a sound that fits nicely into your track. But it doesn’t stop there! Vocaloid allows you to selectively edit the beginning and end of each MIDI note and word to modify the expression of the vocalist. This includes things like the breathiness of the voice, yelling or growling, that sexy way Brittany Spears ends some of her lines (you’ll know it when you hear it), and even how robotic you want it to sound (if you were looking for a sound closer to how Drake’s engineer processes his vocals).

In this video, I take you through my top 3 favorite features of Yamaha’s Vocaloid 5 and give you a good look at all the controls and functions you’ll have at your fingertips in this impressive synth.

For more RAD, vocal related content, check out Ian Gallagher’s video on mixing vocals by clicking here!