Single (music)
The term refers to a single sound carrier, which mostly contains only two tracks of an artist as opposed to an album. The variation between album and single is called EP.
The single is the music industry today primarily as a marketing tool to promote the sale of music albums. The first single of the album title is generally thereby released before the launch of the actual album. When the album is successful, usually there are more extractions. In addition to the single release from the album, the recordings still usually contain remixes of the title track or unreleased song material that was not used for the album. Singles are available as a vinyl record or compact disc, which asserted itself in the mass market during the market introduction of the CD, the CD single as the sole single medium.
Vinyl singles
7 "single
Singles have in their original form as a record, unlike the LP, a diameter of 7 " inches (about 17.9 cm), and in contrast to the LP instead of 33 1/3 at 45 revolutions per minute played ( only since February 1949). Previously, the 10 " single with a speed of 78 revolutions was customary., the central hole of a conventional vinyl single is greater than that of a LP, so to play an additional adapter piece, the so-called Puck, is required ( does not apply to pressed in the UK Singles; . these have a small center hole like LPs ) the origin of the format is in the Battle of the speeds mentioned format war between Columbia Records and RCA Victor 1948/49, after its settlement were turntable usual with two speeds and center hole adapters with which the compatibility gap was bridged. these singles were later used in jukeboxes. Alternatively, a so-called star can be clamped into the large center hole of each single. This allows the use of singles on turntables with AC function. Today's singles are pressed mainly still in the ( underground ) Metal, Punk and Grindcore area as well as in funk and soul, often renounce to the larger center hole, often due to the production methods of pressing plants.
The transition from the single with a speed of 78 revolutions on the single with 45 revolutions took place abruptly in the USA. On May 1, 1954, the RIAA reported that the 78 single only still having a revenue share of 52% of selling singles. As of July 1954, the 45th single of the big six record companies was offered nationwide. One of the first was the doo-wop hit Sh- Boom by the Chords, released in June, 1954 ( albeit from a so-called independent label ).
A vinyl single, like other records usually also recorded two sides, the A and the B-side. On the A - side is the main title on the back as described above, an additional piece, a remix of the main title or a part 2 of the main title. In rare cases, the B-side was more popular than the A- side. Located on a vinyl single two songs on the front and back, both of which are mentioned in their titles, then one speaks of a double A - side (example: Strawberry Fields Forever / Penny Lane by the Beatles ).
From 1988, the so-called A- singles were offered that contained on the back instead of another title an interview or spoken information to song or artist, but cost less money than traditional singles, Bobby McFerrin Do not Worry of which, Be Happy in August 1988 was the first. These singles were offered at the time for half the price of about 3.00 DM.
Special formats
The group Westworld published in 1987, a single 5.5 " format ( about 13 cm). This so-called mini- Single owned, due to their size only a small central hole and was playable on any record player with 45 rpm.
Single formats with extended playing time
10 " Single
As of July 1910, in the U.S. the 10 " shellac 78 rpm single with the usual format. Your playing time reached 3 minutes per side. In addition to the conventional 7 "single exist with the 10 " single and 12 " single more vinyl single formats. Due to the limited playing time per side and increasing the lengths Title 10 " single ( 25 cm diameter) was introduced with extended run time. This format, however remained alongside the compact, popular 7 "single is rather rare.
Maxi-Single
With the Maxi or 12 " single, another single format was put on the market from the mid- 1970s. Provides you with the diameter of a conventional LP (30 cm) a further increased playing time. It contains the two playback speeds of 45 and 33 min -1.
Initially, 12 " singles were sold only as a promotional copies to DJs. The first commercial 12 " single was released in 1976 with Ten Percent by Double Exposure on the New York disco label Salsoul Records.
Due to the significantly broader compared to conventional singles and LPs groove, which allows a higher playback quality, a higher overall volume and a significantly better dynamic range (heavier bass and treble) is achieved. This 12 " single that the identical recording as the 7 in origin " contained single, was offered as a super sound single. The development of the 12 " single is due primarily to the needs of long, danceable so-called disco versions of popular hits for nightclubs ( now known Remix). In addition, the higher overall volume causes a better signal -to-noise ratio, so that when - required in nightclubs - higher playback volume the sound quality has been improved.
Today's importance of vinyl singles
Conventional vinyl singles in 7 "format can be found even today. Especially with punk rock, reggae and dub releases they enjoy a lasting popularity. Also, 10 " singles you meet every now and then at Independent publications. They have a rather idealistic view as material value within the collector scene and DJ culture. The classic 12 " maxi-single is used in numerous hip-hop and electronic music to this day and is one of these genres to the basic equipment of the DJ. Vinyl singles have survived despite their really technical obsolescence to date and recorded in the above fields again growth rates. This is due to, among other things the vinyl needs of DJs.
CD single
The introduction of the CD has also led to the single market changes. As a successor to the vinyl singles, the CD single and a year were from October 1985 later introduced the CD maxi-single, initially in small numbers, depending on the record company in the 8-cm ( so-called mini - CD) or 12 - cm - format. The first CD single ever applies Brothers in Arms by Dire Straits which was released in October 1985. The very first CD single in Germany was the single No star in Athens ( 3-4-5 x in 1 month) by Stephan Remmler, which was released in November 1986. In October 1986, published by Erasure CD Maxi-Single Sometimes one of the first of this format.
Originally intended for music - singles mini- CD format (8 cm format ) which has less than a third of the space of a conventional CD, did not sit through. Main arguments for this: The potential for savings in the calculations of the record companies was negligible due to the comparable production costs. Especially, the Mini - CD, in contrast to normal CD even less presentation space for the important for the sale cover. Also for pressing plants to produce 8 -inch singles was not interesting, because 12 -cm single and CD album are technically identical. The mass production of a second CD format has had a negative ( in particular by becoming necessary conversions) effect on the flexibility of production and thus on the efficiency of a production line. Another point was that initially not all available CD player supported the smaller format and as 7 " vinyl singles adapters were needed.
From the early 1990s, the music industry led to the German market at that time considered to be particularly strong financially ( priced according to the 12 " vinyl maxi ) a 12- cm CD Maxi in Slimcase that until now the standard format on the German singles represents market. It contains, in contrast to normal single ( generally with two titles ) often three or four titles. In other European countries, however, continued from the beginning which is also 12 cm CD-Single ( priced according to the 7 " vinyl single ) in Pappcover by.
So-called slot-in drives that do not have a drawer, can play the smaller CDs only with adapter. Slot-In drives pull the disk by a special mechanism automatically and throw them out as well, so you have to push the disk only to a certain extent through a slot. Such devices were becoming more widespread, as there had been fewer and fewer CDs on the market, which differed from the normal circular 12 -centimeter slices. Especially with mountable CD players for automobiles dominated this technique.
The decision for the maxi-single format in Germany had an impact on consumer behavior: As to vinyl times Maxis were of special interest in disco area so that this kind of music was able to record above-average sales figures in Germany, while sales in the rock and pop area declined sharply. The rock and pop music audience had little interest in most unattractive or even poor quality remixes and B- sides. The set of the music industry, hardly justifiable high price structure ( with time up to twelve DM about twice a previous vinyl single ) meant that many customers refrained from buying maxi-singles and instead resorted to the same album. Since the early 1990s also Airplay inserts are included in the single charts, so continue to rock and pop music are represented in the charts. This compensation of the actual buyer behavior is particularly so made because the singles charts still have a much higher importance for the music marketing as the album charts. However, it is observed that no longer meet singles in the German market has long been their original function. Single - success and album sales are often worlds apart. Musicians whose albums sell very well find themselves less and less back on top places in the singles charts.
It was not until the early 2000s, the music industry responded to the increased customer demand, again offer CD singles at cheaper prices. Reasons for this are particularly triggered by the MP3 format increased price pressure and the associated steadily declining CD sales, which promise significant higher profit margins. The on the German market as a limited " 2-track CD" in Slimcase appearing recordings are identical from the selection mostly with the CD singles available abroad. However, the limited number of pieces with the result that some of the titles known from television or radio single mix only a short time is available. Examples of this have included productions by Pet Shop Boys ( "Miracles", " Flamboyant " ) and Depeche Mode ( " Enjoy the Silence '04 ", " Precious" ).
However, this step could not prevent the collapse of the CD single market. In a time in which the music consumer can individually acquire any title of an album as an audio file on the Internet, has the single as a sound carrier in the mass market, apart from the meaning for collectors, no significant attractiveness more. Today, most rich 5000 weekly sales in Germany to achieve top ranks of the top 10 singles chart. For the top 100 rich, according to Manfred Gillig - Degrave, chief editor of the trade magazine Music Week " three-digit numbers."