Soundcheck

Due disclosure - This post contains affiliate links and I may be compensated on any purchase made.

In this post on Soundcheck, I am featuring the Novation MiniNova Compact Keyboard Synthesizer, 37-Key.  I am choosing to feature this product for one unique reason - the built in VocalTune that allows for vocal manipulation.  Think Nick Rhodes in "The Reflex," both recorded and live - except on a much smaller scale.  

If you are intrigued by what a keyboard synth offers to music, whether in a recording studio or in a live performance, consider the Novation MiniNova Compact Keyboard Synthesizer, 37-Key.

https://www.zzounds.com/a--3960264/item--NOVMININOVA
$399.99 OR 8 Payments of $50

Features -

- Compact keyboard synthesizer/USB MIDI controller

- 37 velocity-sensitive mini keys

- Sound engine creates "massive sounds and effects"

- Vocoder, VocalTune processing, Gooseneck mic

- 14 filter types, 6 envelope generators, 3 LFOs

- Up to 18-note polyphony

- 256 preset sounds

- Store up to 128 own sounds

- Layer up to 5 effects per voice

- Connects to computers via USB (USB cable included)

- MiniNova Editor software included

- Patch Librarian software included

- Novation Bass Station

- Loopmasters sample pack

In the launch edition of Soundcheck, I stated that Soundcheck would highlight the technical end of music.  With that said, below is a brief video of the Novation MiniNova Compact Keyboard Synthesizer, 37-Key in action -

I would best guess the level of proficiency for the Novation MiniNova Compact Keyboard Synthesizer, 37-Key at semi-professional, where you are skilled at playing the keyboards and are well-versed in the complex end of the synthesizer, built-in functions, and technical features but still need to fine tune your skills on the latter end.  

This instrument would be best for those who do not have space in their home for a full professional setup.  

So.  If you are intrigued by this instrument and all that it has to offer, follow the link above to explore.

Sounds of Portugal - Mariza

Set List has become a global blog with audience in many countries.  In this post, I thought I would reflect on my international base.

I recently came across the Portuguese singer, Mariza.  Although there is no translation available, her voice is a unifying constant - simply beautiful.  Consider Mariza - Chuva (Concerto em Lisboa).  English translation - Mariza - Rain (Concert in Lisboa).

Marisa dos Reis Nunes - Mariza - is a well known Portuguese fado singer (follow the link for the meaning and history of the fado genre).  Mariza's musical roots are in gospel, soul, and jazz.  As a fado singer, Mariza has sold over 1,000,000 records worldwide.

Mariza's success -

Her first album - Fado em Mim (Fado in Me) - was released in 2001.  In Portugal, the album sold 100,000 copies (4,000 copies is considered successful).  On a global scale, the album sold 140,000 copies.

As of Mariza's second album in 2003 - Fado Curvo (Curved Fado) - she garnered international recognition.  

In March 2003, Mariza was the recipient of BBC Radio 3's award for Best European Artist in World Music.  (Side note - Follow the BBC Radio 3 link for more information.)

In the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, Mariza sang "A Thousand Years" with Sting.  

In 2004, Mariza won a European Border Breakers Award (EBBA).  This award honors "ten emerging artists or groups who reached audiences outside their own countries with their first internationally released album in the past year." (Wikipedia)

Mariza's third album - Transparente (Transparent) - was released in 2005.

Mariza has since gone on to promote Portuguese culture in such countries as Australia, Finland, the United States, and Argentina.  Transparente reached the Top 10 in The Netherlands, Spain, and Finland.  She has won awards in Denmark, Australia, Canada, Germany, UK, Guinea-Bissau, and Equatorial Guinea.

Mariza has performed in -

- Carnegie Hall, Central Park, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Hollywood Bowl

- Barbican (performing arts center in Barbican Estate in London)

- London's Royal Albert Hall, Union Chapel, and Royal Festival Hall

- Lisbon's Centro Cultural de Belem, Centro Cultural de Macau

- Frankfurt's Alte Oper

- Paris' Theatre de la Ville

- Madrid's Teatro Albeniz

- Barcelona's Teatro Grec

- Moscow International House of Music

- Toronto's Massey Hall

- Sydney Opera House

- National Concert Hall in Dublin

Mariza's 2007 album, Concerto em Lisboa, was nominated for a Latin Grammy Award for Best Folk Album.  Her 2008 album, Terra, was nominated for a Latin Grammy Award for Best Folk Album.

Mariza's following albums include Fado Tradicional (2010), Mundo (2015), and Mariza (2018).

Album Certifications -

*Phonographic Association of Portugal (AFP) based

Fado em Mim - 6x Platinum

Fado Curvo - 4x Platinum

Transparente - 3x Platinum

Terra - 4x Platinum

Fado Tradicional - Platinum

Mundo - 2x Platinum

Live Album Certifications -

Concerto em Lisboa - 5x Platinum

Terra em Concerto - Gold

(Source - Wikipedia)

My take away -

My mission for Set List has long been to bring global unity through music as a constant that all can agree on.  Mariza has shown proof of such a mission.  Although the world speaks many languages, the only language that needs no interpretation is music.

Coveted Diamond Certification

In this edition of At the end of the day, I am featuring the coveted Diamond certification and top 12 artists that achieved elite certification status with 20x Platinum or more.

Refresher - Diamond certification is 10+ million 

1.  Eagles - Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975) 
38x Platinum
2.  Michael Jackson - Thriller 
33x Platinum
3.  Eagles - Hotel California 
26x Platinum
4.  The Beatles - The Beatles 
24x Platinum
5.  Billy Joel - Greatest Hits Volume I & Volume II 
23x Platinum
6.  Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin IV 
23x Platinum
7.  Pink Floyd - The Wall 
23x Platinum
8.  AC/DC - Back in Black 
22x Platinum
9.  Garth Brooks - Double Live 
21x Platinum
10.  Hootie & the Blowfish - Cracked Rear View 
21x Platinum
11.  Fleetwood Mac - Rumours 
20x Platinum
12.  Shania Twain - Come On Over 
20x Platinum

The full list of RIAA Diamond Certifications, as well as a list of artists with the most album certifications and list of artists with the most single certifications (and Diamond Certification for Latin artists) can be found on Wikipedia.

Trending Favorite - The History of RIAA

In this edition of Friday Fave, I am taking a slight detour.  In this post, I am sharing a Pinterest trending favorite - The History of RIAA.

As a brief refresher, the RIAA - Recording Industry Association of America - represents the recording industry in the United States.  The RIAA is "responsible for certifying Gold and Platinum albums and singles in the United States." (Wikipedia)  In 1999, the Diamond Award was introduced.

Recap of requisite sales for levels of certification -

Digital single certification (i.e.: iTunes, Spotify, YouTube) -

Gold - 500,000 units

Platinum - 1,000,000 units

Multi-Platinum - 2,000,000 units (with increments of 1,000,000 after)

Diamond - 10,000,000 units

Album certification -

Gold - 500,000 units

Platinum - 1,000,000 units

Multi-Platinum - 2,000,000 units (with increments of 1,000,000 after)

Diamond - 10,000,000 units

Video Longform certification (DVD and VHS releases/Live albums and Compilation albums) -

Gold - 50,000 copies

Platinum - 100,000 copies

Multi-Platinum - 200,000 copies

(I missed this section in the original post.)

(Wikipedia)

As a wrap up, the trending favorite will say the rest of it.  Follow the link above.

Lauren's Weekly Favorite - Alesis CompactKit 4 Portable Tabletop Drum Kit

In this edition of Lauren's Weekly Favorite, I am choosing to highlight not only a favorite post but also a favorite product from zZounds - the Alesis CompactKit 4 Portable Tabletop Drum Kit as found on Play It Sunday.

As a refresher, the drum kit is perfect for novice aspiring drummers with built-in songs, a music coach, LCD screen notes, and feeling like part of a band.  Drum sticks and a power adapter are included.  (Note - the drum kit requires 6 C batteries that are not included.)

If you are a beginning drummer, the Alesis CompactKit 4 Portable Tabletop Drum Kit would be a pretty good investment.

And so for this reason, I choose Play It Sunday as my favorite.

Set List Reader Poll - Album Certification

Dear readers and passersby,

In this post, I have a question for your consideration -

Is album certification such as in the U.S. - Gold, Platinum, Multi-Platinum, and Diamond - more impressive, less impressive, or the same as winning a major award such as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award?

Leave your thoughts in the comments section below!

Billboard Hot 100 Background

The RIAA defines the United States music industry in terms of certification - Gold, Platinum, Multi-Platinum, and Diamond.

The Billboard Hot 100 defines the United States music industry in terms of record chart.

Where the RIAA has a history, so too does Billboard.

Billboard Background -

- Best Sellers in Stores - First Billboard chart (est. 1940)*

*Ranked biggest selling singles in retail stores

- Most Played by Jockeys - Billboard's original airplay chart*

*Ranked the most played songs on U.S. radio stations

- Most Played in Jukeboxes*

*Measured song popularity with young generations

*Point of interest - Many radio stations refused to play rock and roll 

Billboard Magazine references Best Sellers in Stores prior to the Hot 100. 

In 1955, Billboard created The Top 100.  The Top 100 combined sales, airplay, and jukeboxes to determine a song's performance.

In November 1957, Most Played in Jukeboxes was discontinued as radio stations began to integrate rock music into their playlists.

In July 1958, Most Played by Jockeys and Top 100 charts were also discontinued.

In August 1958, Billboard launched The Hot 100.  The Hot 100 became the music industry standard.  In October, Best Sellers in Stores was discontinued.

The Hot 100 metrics -

- Radio airplay audience impressions (measured by Nielsen BDS)

- Sales data (compiled by Nielsen Soundscan)

- Streaming activity (provided by online music sources)

(Component details within The Hot 100 can be found on Wikipedia.)

Weekly chart details and year-end chart details can be found on Wikipedia.  

My take away -

The history behind Billboard Hot 100 is as detailed and extensive as Billboard itself.  There are so many technical aspects covered by Billboard that go behind a song's scenes, if you will.  As for weekly and year-end chart designations, there are components that appear complicated to the average person.  In the end, though, I find greater appreciation for what is produced by Billboard and specifically Billboard Hot 100.

Where time, patience, and dedication go behind recording songs into an album and eventual airplay, technical determination goes behind defining what lands the Billboard Hot 100 list.