Nightcore originates from music created using the Yamaha VOCALOID sound synthesizer programs developed by Yamaha and Crypton Future Media (
Japan). Yamaha corporation debuted the VOCALOID sound synthesizer software in
Japan in
2004 to wide acceptance and popularity.
The software was originally created for artists who were composing music or their own lyrics but may not have access to a singer to perform their works, the software allows the composer to feed their lyrics directly into the program and supply a general pitch range and the program sings the songs back. Yamaha and Crypton created voices based upon
Anime characters that they developed to give personality to their sound sets. The first being Yuzuki Yukari based upon a 16 year
old Japanese sound actress. Other voice packs followed with both female and male sound sets.
Many Japanese in the
Anime cultures embraced VOCALOID and began to hold
live concerts during Anime conventions and gatherings featuring VOCALOID generated songs and Muki Muki Dance
3D generated/syncronized versions of the VOCALOID
Anime characters to "perform" the songs. The music quickly caught on and spread outside of
Japan.
This eventually became an offshoot genre of dance and trance music and has been called Nightcore.