If there was one thing you would tell newcomers, what would it be?

Shasta

Professional Lurker
Global Mod
Defender of Defoko
As the title says, what about UTAU (fandom or software,) would you want all newcomers to know? It can be more than one thing, just in general. What do you want all newcomers to know when they start using UTAU?

Personally, I'd tell them to not get discouraged and watch who they vent to. You can't trust everyone, but there are people out there who will listen. Venting to the wrong person can get you in one heck of a situation. With that being said, it's not ok to keep it all bottled up. Join discord server and make friends with fellow users. Fellow users are the best way to get help with pretty much anything.
 

Kiyoteru

UtaForum power user
Supporter
Defender of Defoko
I think the most important thing that I try to tell everyone is to have fun. UTAU is a hobby, and there's not much point in a hobby you don't enjoy. Want to record a monopitch CV? Great! Want to record 20 pitches of CVVC? Awesome! Want to leave your UTAU character-less? Cool! Want to create a crazy deep backstory and then have your UTAU get married to a Vocaloid? Same, bro! (I am really not kidding at all about this bit.) We're all in this to have fun, and nobody is better or worse than anyone for deciding to do their own thing. The only thing that can make this not fun is when people aren't treating other people with respect. That, and sometimes people get tired and don't really want to do UTAU anymore, and that's also fine.
 
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legolasorbraceface

Momo's Minion
As the title says, what about UTAU (fandom or software,) would you want all newcomers to know? It can be more than one thing, just in general. What do you want all newcomers to know when they start using UTAU?

Personally, I'd tell them to not get discouraged and watch who they vent to. You can't trust everyone, but there are people out there who will listen. Venting to the wrong person can get you in one heck of a situation. With that being said, it's not ok to keep it all bottled up. Join discord server and make friends with fellow users. Fellow users are the best way to get help with pretty much anything.
If I were to say anything to a new tile user I would say
1. Don't be afraid of not making a perfect vb. You use the knowledge you've obtained from working on them to improve your future releases.

2. Go at your own pace. Everyone works at their own speed, and if you put a lot of time in your work, it will show.

3. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. That's all a part of the fun!

4. Take breaks if you need or want to. If it's not fun, then why do it?

5. Make friends but don't trust them completely right away because some people just want to steal from and/or take advantage of you.

6. If you're going to ask for concept art, and oto, etc. for a vb, make sure you give the person doing it something in exchange. Otherwise it's just not fair.

7. Do your best to not seek attention. It won't be fun and it will only lead to frustration, and you probably won't get the attention you want.

8. Always put your real life before your status in the Utau community. Good people will understand if you have to leave because of a super important thing happening IRL. If they complain, then they aren't worth paying attention to.

9. If someone gives you constructive criticism, consider taking it. If it's real constructive criticism, then it's meant to help you, not tear you down.

10. If you didn't make something you're using, ALWAYS credit the person who did. I don't care if it's a song, UST, remix, voicebank, piece of art, etc. CREDIT THE CREATOR.

Wow. I actually had a lot more to say than I thought I would. Maybe I'll make a YouTube video to elaborate on each one.
 

ReticentResolve

Ancient Master of Filibustering
Supporter
Defender of Defoko
It doesn't have to be good. Just try.

Don't get all up in your collars. It's an easy way to make enemies.

And sing when you're recording. It doesn't need to be perfectly on pitch, but singing and even changing your tone at certain points can give your utau a distinct style. Also singing the recordings helps with the realism.

And you don't NEED a good microphone. If you don't have money to spend, sing in your closet with you and your recording device under a blanket. (And use a very mild noise reduction) Or walk somewhere nice and secluded.
 
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Chianachini

Ruko's Ruffians
Defender of Defoko
Wow. I actually had a lot more to say than I thought I would. Maybe I'll make a YouTube video to elaborate on each one.

I'd like to encourage you to do this. We have a lot of beginner tutorials about using the software, but no tips like this.

To add to the discussion, art is very challenging! Practice really helps, but you have to be really active to improve. Don't be discouraged and keep trying; you'll be so proud of yourself when you see improvement.

You don't have to commit to traditional art, either. It could be 3D! Start by playing with MMD parts to see if you enjoy the concept and then try to make some parts on your own.
 

Soursop the fruit

✧ Fruity & Happy ✧
Defender of Defoko
It's ok if you can't speak english perfectly, but don't ever be afraid to talk to us and make language mistakes!
Take 2-3 sentences out from your mind cause we'd like to hear it.
We appreciate your effort and courage to try cause that's a big step for wider knowledge. We'll try to understand and correct them if you need it!

I'm not a native english myself, i make grammar mistakes sometimes, but i always try to be better so dun be afraid guys!~
 

kimchi-tan

Your local Mikotard
Global Mod
Defender of Defoko
If you're using UTAU just for popularity, this community is not for you. UTAU is a niche stemmed from a niche (Vocaloid) so this is the wrong place to be expecting fame as you will be disappointed.

Always remember the reason why you wanted to use UTAU in the first place. Wanted to use your favorite voicebanks? Go straight for it and make your favorites sound amazing! Wanted to make a high-quality voicebank? Continuously train your voice to get that perfect tone! Wanted make a bunch of memes with UTAU? Meme on, my friend!

Always remember those reasons and using UTAU will never be boring for you :wink:
 

Ti Pai

Ruko's Ruffians
Defender of Defoko
I suppose I'd tell them to take in as much advice as possible if they're looking to get better. Some people like to learn by themselves as they go along, but all-the-while there are so many talented and long-time UTAU users who are willing to help if asked, so take the chance!
 
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RaccoonButler

Founder of The Church of Mawarine Shuu
Defender of Defoko
Have you heard of our lord and savior mawarine shuu

No, but I'd probably say, don't bite off more than you can chew. It's better to start small and work your way up in terms of making a vb, don't expect to make the world's greatest vcvcvvc multipitch powerscale right off the bat. Look to the greats for inspiration but remember that rome wasn't built in a day and we all start somewhere. They've all been users for a long while, it takes time to learn and we all have our pace, so don't feel inadequate or rushed.
 

Dangosan

Jellie Bellie Pete Rat Gummie Candie
Defender of Defoko
Please change the comma to a point in your regional settings. Having the wrong decimal symbol will result in rendering glitches.
 
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lunari162

Defoko's Slaves
Defender of Defoko
A lot of what I was going to say is already here, so I'm sorry if I accidentally repeat something!

One of the most important things is to just be yourself. If you're someone who wants to put yourself out there, you don't have to be the same as everyone else. You'll have the most fun and the most motivation by trying what you want to try instead of trying to follow the "UTAU standards" that seem to be so prevalent in the community.

Another thing: don't be afraid! There's all kinds of different people here, but most of us are friendly and won't be extremely rude to you if you make a mistake, ask a question, or post a cover/experiment. There's always going to be haters; thankfully, there aren't too many here.

And if this makes any sense, here's my last tip: think of the community in general as a family or a school club. For the most part, we're pretty close. Word gets around quickly and many people will become good friends through using UTAU. That being said, try to stay out of drama. That's one of the few things here (not just UF) that explodes into chaos. That happens anywhere, but this is a smaller community, so it really spreads quickly.
 

Gehenna

Ruko's Ruffians
Defender of Defoko
Don't be scared to cover songs that have already been covered, even with the same voicebank. Don't discredit yourself if the song has already been covered (This also goes for UST/MIDI releases of songs.) And don't feel discouraged if people don't like your stuff. You can only improve from starting out, even if it may seem slow.
Don't feel expected, or expect others to always come out with godly tuning/mixing abilities. It causes unnecessary stress. Enjoy and appreciate yourself, and what you create.
(Sorry if I repeated anything OTL)
 

IrisFlower

Precious Flower with Thorns
Supporter
Defender of Defoko
I would say:

Don't let people who are better than you discourage you or stop you from branching out and trying new things.

99% of the time, that really talented artist or user has been at it for years already. You're just starting. Of course your stuff isn't going to be nearly as "good". But do it anyway. We ALL have to start somewhere. Make that art. Compose that song. Write that fanfiction. That user is not you. You are not them. You both have equally important and different things to offer to this community.

And someone out there is waiting for and will appreciate that thing you have to create.
 
P

partial

Guest
Start small. It's ok to do a monopitch CV vb, and it's best to learn to oto from that first. I say as I start with vccv.

Always give credit. Credit the UST makers, original composers, anyone who helped you mix or drew art. Please don't ask for art and then take credit. Don't retune a UST and say you made it yourself.

If someone offers to help, it doesnt mean the same thing as offering to do all the work. They are offering to help you and help you learn, please don't take advantage of that. (Please learn to oto. Generally we are fine helping, but not after the 32nd time. ^___^;;; )

Don't get angry or upset that no one uses your UTAU. There are a lot of banks out there! The important thing is that you are satisfied with your work. You could have a 64 pitch VCV and it still may not get attention.
 
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Nohkara

Pronouns: He/him
Supporter
Defender of Defoko
Creating an UTAU is basically creating a regular OC with a canon voice*.

An UTAU does not have to be a teen age kid that has Crypton (i.e. Hatune Miku, Kagamine's etc) inspired design/futuristic/sailor/school uniform design to be an UTAU: An UTAU character can look like ANYTHING - only a sky is a limit. Try think outside box and taking inspirations from multiple resources (fashion magazines, fairytales...) - not just one.

Of course basic unwritten rules applies to UTAU too: Avoid rip offing ANY popular character's design from any fandom. Getting inspired from someone else's character is fine but please, respect the original and don't copy it 100%. Using a little common sense is more than a welcome.

If you want to make non-human UTAU, don't be discouraged just because some people only like human designs. There will be and always is someone that is interested in your UTAU even if it isn't a human me! Don't think too much what other people like or don't like: create what YOU want and what make: YOU happy!

It's fine if your art skills aren't polished or best possible. The more you practice, the better you'll come. Don't worry if your UTAU doesn't have the most awesome design or art: a super good voicebank tuning and mixing can be compensate a bad design/art (I don't mean by this that you shouldn't try your best but to be really honest I know many UTAU that has super boring generic non-standing out design, has not good art and/or overally not good design at all (IMO) but people still love them because their voice offers something special). Most of us cares more about usableness/quality of VB than how beautiful art/character design it has cuz after all the art is mostly for promotion attraction tool to grap people's first attention/impression.

*this is not a case always of course, there are some characterless UTAU. If you want to not make a character avatar to represent a VB, that's completely fine!
 

Arissa

Ritsu's Renegades
Defender of Defoko
Hm, I'd say that for one it's okay to get discouraged if your skills aren't what you want them to be. It's okay to be a rookie at tuning, art, otoing, etc. Those are skills that gradually improve over time if you're willing to allow yourself to progress and learn. It's fine to make mistakes and all. Another thing I'd point out is that there's no single way to do things; it's pretty easy to get caught up in how members of the community say things should be done, but it's not unwelcome to try new things or do things in a way that are helpful to you.

Another note is that the fandom is just like any other, nice people here and there, mean people here and there. There's no need to get super involved in the community, but it can still be worthwhile to make a couple good friends. I think in the case of friendship, it's a good idea to have quality over quantity, like a close-knit group of neat friends instead of having a bunch that don't hold your best interests at heart.

Finally, I'd advise not to get so absorbed in superficial things like 'being popular', (its not as good as it's chopped up to be, in all honesty) and if you don't feel compelled to participate in Utau activities of your own will, then there's no need to burden yourself. The experience ought to be fun, not draining. It's also good to have some independence so when you need to you can stand on your own two feet, one, so you don't have to rely heavily on others, and two, it's a valuable skill to have on its own :smile:
 
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P

partial

Guest
If someone offers to help, it doesnt mean the same thing as offering to do all the work. They are offering to help you and help you learn, please don't take advantage of that. (Please learn to oto. Generally we are fine helping, but not after the 32nd time. ^___^;;; )
I feel I need to elaborate on my earlier post. It isn't so much irritation after the "32nd time", lmao, but the inevitable expectation someone will always help oto the banks.
 

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