Share Your Thoughts on a New AI Voice Software for Tamiyasu Tomoe
VOICEROID fans, do you remember Tamiyasu Tomoe? If her name rings a bell, it’s because she’s the original voice provider for Tsurumaki Maki’s VOICEROID bank, which is even officially called VOICEROID+ Tamiyasu Tomoe (Tsurumaki Maki) Ex!
Although Maki has a new voice provider for her Synthesizer V and CeVIO AI banks, some news has surfaced that could give Tamiyasu a second chance at being a voice provider for a voice synth product! Read on to learn about it and share your thoughts!
Message from AI Inc. to Tamiyasu Tomoe
On April 24, 2021, Tamiyasu – who is active as a Vtuber named たみー / Tammy – made a surprise tweet announcing that she would be uploading an urgent new video that day at 9:00 PM (JST) after talking with AI Inc., creator of A.I.VOICE.
The tweet was also quote retweeted by the official A.I.VOICE account, asking that fans watch the video and share their opinions.
Video Message Summary
The video is now online and can be watched below.
Here is a summary of what Tamiyasu talks about and asks her fans to now do.
She first explains to her viewers how she was the voice provider for Tsurumaki Maki’s VOICEROID product, which was developed by AI Inc. and distributed by AHS.
However, last December, it was announced that AHS would be redeveloping Maki as Synthesizer V and CeVIO AI products with a new voice provider, Tanaka Manami, which Tamiyasu was completely unaware of at the time!
She even expressed her surprise on Twitter, saying:
“A DM from a voice actor friend of mine came flying in asking ‘Tsurumaki Maki-chan is changing voice providers!?’ That does seem to be the case💦 So they’re proceeding to change voice providers without even letting her current one know about it…
“To those who have loved using her voice up to now, thank you so much. I’ve watched so many of your wonderful video works! Moving forward, it would make me really happy if you continue to remember her former voice.”
Tamiyasu realized that the tweet caused a lot of her followers to worry about her, for which she deeply apologized. While she was indeed a little sad to be separated from a character whom she loved so much, she encouraged her fans to continue supporting the new upcoming Maki. Tamiyasu also reminded her fans that Maki’s VOICEROID+ product is still on the market, and can be purchased by anyone who still wants to use and hear her speak with Tamiyasu’s voice.
And then in early April 2021, she was contacted by AI Inc., asking “Would you like to development a new voice program using your voice?” That’s because they had heard that Maki was getting updated without Tamiyasu as her voice provider anymore, and also that Tamiyasu became a freelance voice actress as of April 1, 2021.
Tamiyasu’s initial reaction was “It should be alright, shouldn’t it?” But then she stopped to think and wonder, “Is this really what everyone wants?” She spoke with the person in charge of the project and asked, “Do fans really wish for new voice software from Tamiyasu Tomoe that isn’t Tsurumaki Maki?” a point that had her really concerned. If they really make the new software with a new character, then of course she’ll be a wholly separate character from Maki.
AI Inc.’s response is that they can develop the new software and make Tamiyasu’s voice capable of far greater degrees of expression than before, and that it’s something that they’ve been really wanting to do. Tamiyasu is very grateful for the sentiment, but still worries over the fact that voice synth fans who have come to love and associate her voice with Maki wouldn’t want to hear her voice used for another character.
After expressing these concerns to AI Inc., they come up with this idea: Let’s ask the users what they think. And so Tamiyasu created this video, and also put up a survey online to reach an even greater amount of people.
Survey
The survey can be taken here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoYOZskin95Pi8ysjpmhAvc5c7Nfcrx1TNTym2l5TTx_Kc0w/viewform
Survey deadline: May 3rd at 12:00 AM (JST)
Questions:
- Your name (nicknames acceptable; will not be shared with AI Inc.)
- Your email address (will not be shared with AI Inc.)
Then comes the important part where you cast your valuable vote that will determine whether or not Tamiyasu Tomoe’s new voice software gets made, and in what way:
Question: Please check the option below that best represents your feelings.
- I want Tamiyasu Tomoe’s multipurpose voice software to be made into a new commercially available AI product
- I want Tamiyasu Tomoe’s voice software to be made available only to a limited number of people, such as for custom order
- I do no want to Tamiyasu Tomoe’s voice software to get made
Once you have selected your vote, choose from one of the next three questions to answer based on your vote:
- For those who answered “make commercially available,” please tell us your reason (free answer)
- For those who answered “make for custom ordering,” please tell us your reason (free answer)
- For those who answered “I do not want her to get made,” please tell us your reason (free answer)
Remember that you only need to choose ONE of these options, based on your earlier decision.
Then the final question (number 4 above) asks:
“4. Thank you for participating in our survey. If you have any messages that you would like to leave, please leave them here.”
Make sure to take the survey before its deadline of May 3rd at 12:00 AM (JST)!
At the end of the video, Tamiyasu reminds fans that this survey strictly involves only her and AI Inc., and asks fans to refrain from asking questions about it to any related companies or other voice actresses. All questions should be directed to only her or AI Inc.
When the survey period is over, the results will be passed along to AI Inc., who holds the final decision.
They also ask that you help disseminate the survey to as many people as possible by retweeting the following tweets:
We hope everyone answers honestly so that the best course of action will be taken in regards to Tamiyasu Tomoe’s voice software product!
Links
Tamiyasu Tomoe:
AI Inc.
