UTAU is a popular synthesizer software that allows users to create vocals for music tracks. It’s an excellent alternative to other similar programs such as VOCALOID, as it’s free to use and has an active community that creates and shares voicebanks. However, before you can start creating music tracks, you need to install UTAU and voicebanks properly.
In this article, we’ll provide a step-by-step guide on how to install UTAU voicebanks on your computer. We’ll also cover the key things you need to know before starting the installation process, how to configure your voicebanks, and what to do if you encounter any problems.
Before you can start installing UTAU voicebanks, there are a few things you need to prepare first.
Check System Requirements
Before installing UTAU, ensure that your computer meets the minimum system requirements. Your computer should have at least Windows XP or later, and a 1GHz processor or faster. Additionally, you’ll need a sound card and speakers to hear the UTAU output.
Download UTAU Software
The next step is to download the UTAU software from the official website or other reputable sources. Ensure that you download the latest version of UTAU, as it may have new features and bug fixes. After downloading, extract the files to your preferred location.
Locate and Download Voicebank Files
The final step in preparation is to locate and download the voicebank files you want to install. You can find voicebanks on various websites such as DeviantArt, YouTube, and UTAU wiki. Ensure that you download voicebanks from trusted sources to avoid any malware or viruses. It’s also essential to check if the voicebanks are compatible with the UTAU version you have downloaded.
Installing UTAU Voicebanks
Once you’ve prepared all the necessary files, you can start installing UTAU voicebanks. Here are the steps to follow:
Extract Voicebank Files
Most voicebanks come in a compressed file format such as zip or rar. To use them in UTAU, you need to extract them first. Right-click on the compressed file and select “Extract all” or use a program such as 7-Zip or WinRAR to extract the files.
Move Voicebank Files to UTAU Directory
After extracting the voicebank files, you need to move them to the UTAU directory. To do this, open the UTAU program folder and locate the “voice” folder. Then, drag and drop the extracted voicebank files into the voice folder.
Adding Voicebanks to UTAU
The final step is to add the voicebanks to UTAU. Open UTAU and click on “Project” and then “Voicebank Settings.” In the window that appears, select “Add.” Browse to the location where you saved the voicebank files and select the “oto.ini” file. After adding the voicebanks, you can start using them in your music projects.
Configuring UTAU Voicebanks
After you’ve installed the voicebanks, you need to configure them to work correctly in UTAU. Here are the steps to follow:
Check Voicebank Settings
Before using the voicebanks, it’s crucial to check their settings. Open UTAU and click on “Project” and then “Voicebank Settings.” In the window that appears, select the voicebank you want to configure and check the “Details” tab. Ensure that the “Name,” “Author,” and “Web” fields are filled correctly. You can also check other settings such as the “Flags” and “Character Encoding.”
Set Up Aliases
Aliases are alternative pronunciations for a particular sound or word. Setting up aliases can help improve the quality of the voicebank output. To set up aliases, open the voicebank folder and locate the “oto.ini” file. Open it with a text editor and add the aliases under the appropriate sound or word.
Test Voicebanks
After configuring the voicebanks, it’s essential to test them to ensure that they work correctly. Open UTAU and create a new project. Select the voicebank you want to test and enter some lyrics. Play the notes and listen to the output. If there are any issues, you can go back and adjust the voicebank settings or aliases. Once you’re satisfied with the output, you’re ready to start creating vocal tracks.
Configuring UTAU Voicebanks
After installing UTAU voicebanks, you need to configure them to work correctly. Here are the steps to configure your voicebanks:
Check Voicebank Settings
The first step is to check the voicebank settings. Open UTAU, then click on the “Voicebank” tab and select “Voicebank Settings.” Ensure that the voicebank’s settings match the specifications for the voicebank you installed. If not, you can change the settings to match them.
Set Up Aliases
Aliases are alternative pronunciations of a word or phrase that users can use when creating vocals. You can set up aliases for your voicebanks to make it easier to create vocals. To set up aliases, click on the “Tools” tab, then select “Voicebank Settings.” Under “Aliases,” click “Add,” then type the alias and its pronunciation.
Test Voicebanks
After configuring your voicebanks, it’s essential to test them to ensure that they’re working correctly. Open UTAU, then click on the “Voicebank” tab and select “Test Playback.” Select the voicebank you want to test and play it back. If the voicebank plays back correctly, it’s ready to use.
Troubleshooting UTAU Voicebank Installation
Even with proper preparation and installation, you may encounter problems when installing UTAU voicebanks. Here are some common installation problems and their solutions:
Voicebank Not Showing Up
If the voicebank doesn’t show up in UTAU, ensure that you’ve installed it in the correct directory. If you’re not sure, check the UTAU wiki for installation instructions. You can also try restarting UTAU or your computer.
Voicebank Not Playing Back Correctly
If the voicebank isn’t playing back correctly, it may be due to incorrect voicebank settings. Check the voicebank settings and ensure that they match the voicebank’s specifications. You can also try re-installing the voicebank.
Conclusion
In conclusion, installing UTAU voicebanks is a crucial step in creating vocals for music tracks. By following our step-by-step guide, you can install and configure voicebanks correctly. Proper installation and configuration ensure that your voicebanks work correctly and produce high-quality vocals.
Remember to check the system requirements, download the latest version of UTAU, and download voicebanks from trusted sources. If you encounter any problems, use the troubleshooting tips we provided. Finally, experiment with different voicebanks and create unique vocals for your music tracks.
