Berliner Meister Schallplatten | From Scratch | Quiet Nights

Two records with the same musicians playing the same numbers in the same room, but recorded with different microphones at two different sessions. Musicians and microphones placed and recorded in two completely different configurations and positions in relation to each other.

Different sound, different performances – different feeling. 

In other words, this is an exceedingly rare opportunity to be able to hear how using different microphones and set-ups can subtly (or not-sosubtly) alter the sound (and performances) of a recording. Normally, the only people who hear these differences are sound engineers, record producers and the artists as they decide how to record a session. But this time you – the record buyer and listener – are invited into the process. You can listen to both sessions and hear the differences. And because both these sessions were recorded using the Direct-to-Disc method, where no tape or digital recording is involved, and the music is cut directly to the record lathe, you are as close to the sound actually heard by the musicians and recording team in the recording studio as it’s possible to get.

The setup for this album consists of two Neumann KM140 as drum overheads, an Audix D6 (cardioid) for the bass drum and a Neumann KM140 for the snare. Four microphones for the piano: two Sennheiser MKH800 (in cardioid) close to the hammers, and two DPA 4006 omnis above the sound board. A Josephson C722 (back-to-back twin-cardioid) for the saxophone. For the double-bass, a Sennheiser MKH20 (omni) under the bridge and a piezo pick-up in the bridge. Leaving some space between the instruments and placing a few screens around the drum kit gave us more separation for the microphones. Close miking each instrument and adding a little natural reverb from our reverberation chamber yields a wide, close and yet airy sound.

From Scratch:
Simon Becker-Foss (Saxophone)
Helge Adam (Piano)
André Neygenfind (Bass)
Dieter 'Zipper' Schmigelok (Drums)

Side A

1. The Way You Look Tonight

2. You And The Night And The Music

3. My Romance

4. My Funny Valentine

Side B

5. Whisper Not

6. Corcovado

7. Stella By Starlight

8. What A Wonderful World