Berliner Meister Schallplatten | From Scratch | Quiet nights (One Point Blumlein)

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.

Actually, we used an enhanced One Point Blumlein setup! Two Sennheiser MKH30 (fi gure-ofeight) in a 90° angle (original Blumlein) gave us a good balance and perspective of piano, drums and saxophone, while the double-bass could not be placed close enough to the microphone without getting in the way of the other instruments.

In order to get the desired volume, closeness and low end, we added a Sennheiser MKH20 (omni) under the bridge of the double-bass. Placing the players and their instruments as closely together as possible made quite a difference for the musicians to hear each other. Still, the microphone is further away from the sound sources, and the result is a different sound quality – oldfashioned, more relaxed, less strenuous.

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