Mid-year vocal synth predictions for 2020

[lIlI]

So I know we normally stick to annual prediction threads, but I thought it might be a bit of fun to make slightly more educated guesses about what's coming up in the second half of 2020. I don't think anyone could have predicted how the first half of this year would turn out, so perhaps we all deserve a second go?

What do you think is going to happen in the world of vocal synths between now and December?

 

[xuu]

Oh boy oh boy oh boy!! My time to shine.

VOCALOID

• Ling V5 and Yanhe V5 are released in Q4, but they don't really make a huge splash. VSinger continue to be successful and get a few more endorsements.

CeVIO

• We finally get some full-length demos of CeVIO AI and it's announced for a 2021 release.
• Maybe one new voicebank is announced but will release with CeVIO AI.

Synthesizer V

• Eleanor Forte's full voice database is released in Q4 and becomes one of the most-used English vocal synths. Her sales exceed expectations and Animen begins work on a new English voice database for release in early 2021.
• Work begins on Yamine Renri's full Synthesizer V voice database and she is rerecorded. A Chinese voice database also enters development, but may not be released at the same time.
• Zero-G partner with Dreamtonics to become a western distributor of Synthesizer V and create a pair of new vocals, male and female. They are announced but might not be ready for release. None of their previous VOCALOID characters receive Synthesizer V voice databases.
• AHS announce a Synthesizer V voice database for one of their established VOICEROID characters and explore the possibility of making a Synthesizer V voice database for Yuzuki Yukari.
• Quadimension's new male voice database is successful, and earns a dedicated fanbase. The succeeding female voice database isn't Xingchen but is well received, with a more mature tone. The second male voice database enters development but doesn't release by the end of the year.
• Two or three new companies partner with Dreamtonics and start to develop new vocals, mostly in Japanese, including a new Japanese male.
• ST MEDiA partner with Dreamtonics to support Synthesizer V in Korea and begin their crowdfunding project, which is funded. The stretch goal for an additional language isn't met but the vocal receives appends.

Misc.

• Tohoku Itako's NEUTRINO bank is well received, but doesn't take off in popularity like Kiritan. Development continues on NEUTRINO and its naturalness improves.
• Boxstar releases the DeepVocal engine update, but not the GUI update.
• Ameya is still MIA and comes back early next year again.

 

[lIlI]

I should add my own predictions:

A CeVIO character does a weird product endorsement
An original SynthV is released that makes a big splash in fandom for their cool design
Over one hundred Western fans email Dreamtonics about English voicebanks, they announce a collab with a new Japanese developer instead. Maybe next year...
DeepVocal gets an update and gains its footing as a competitor to UTAU
ST MEDiA vanishes like Tuxedo Mask
Quadimension does something which sparks discourse
And in the twist of the century, a new Vocaloid is released (??!!)