If you're thinking about the software:
* Other singing synthesis programs: There are many other programs that can create synthetic vocals, such as:
* CeVIO: Another Japanese singing synthesis program, known for its expressive capabilities.
* SynthV: A program with a strong focus on AI, allowing for more natural sounding vocals.
* Vocaloid clones: Several programs offer similar functionality to Vocaloid, including those from companies like Yamaha and Roland.
* Text-to-speech (TTS) programs: While not primarily focused on singing, many TTS programs can generate speech with varying levels of expressiveness and pitch manipulation.
* MIDI-based music production tools: Many popular music production programs allow you to manipulate and edit MIDI data, which can be used to control the pitch and timing of a synthetic voice.
If you're thinking about the "singing voice" itself:
* Auto-tuned vocals: Auto-tuning software can manipulate real vocal recordings to create a synthetic, robotic sound that is sometimes similar to Vocaloid.
* Sampling and looping: Techniques like sampling and looping can create repeating vocal phrases that are similar to the repetitive nature of some Vocaloid songs.
* Sound design and manipulation: Sound designers can create synthetic vocals using a variety of techniques like layering, filtering, and distortion, which can result in sounds that are similar to Vocaloid.
If you're thinking about the cultural impact:
* Virtual idols: Vocaloids have become iconic virtual idols, and there are many other virtual artists with similar fanbases and cultural influence.
* Anime and manga characters: Vocaloid characters often have anime-inspired designs and have been featured in anime and manga, blurring the lines between real and virtual characters.
* Internet culture and fan communities: Vocaloids have thrived through online fan communities and collaborations, similar to other internet-based cultural movements.
Ultimately, the "similarity" to Vocaloid depends on the aspect you're focusing on. There are many programs, techniques, and cultural phenomena that share aspects with Vocaloid, but each has its own unique characteristics.