Michael Moore & Paul Berner - The Gift
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"A beautifully uncomplicated recording. This could be an excellent way to find out just how well your system images"
- Hifi News and Record
Michael Moore - clarinet
Paul Berner - double bass
Total time: 41:50
Original recording format DXD 352kHz.
Sound Liaison provide the one to one copy of the original master.
This is a One Mic recording.
Mastered by an HQ analog chain to PCM352kHz-32bit.
All other formats are converted versions of the original master.
"In total relaxation, a magnificent dialogue unfolds, with few notes, but in such a way that every note hits, yet much remains unsaid, precisely in the space between the melody and the bass line"
- Lex Bohlmeijer (Passaggio)
"These duets are the epitome of refinement, barring all things extraneous. They leave room only for melody, an aside or two, and the chance to absorb the natural beauty of their instruments."
- Jim Macnie
Michael Moore & Paul Berner - The Gift
It’s magical listening to Michael Moore and Paul Berner play. The music seems to flow in a natural unhindered stream, each note being an obvious continuation of what was played before. It was a thrill to be in the producer's seat at this session, witnessing these two masters feeding off each other, passing the ball at just the right moment, shaping the songs by polishing, simplifying or embellishing where needed, yet all the time being aware of the freshness and immediacy of creating in the moment.
In order for musicians to function at this level, the environment has to be right. Engineer Frans de Rond deserves credit for designing a sound stage upon which Michael and Paul could thrive and create. Frans experimented with various microphone set ups before deciding to keep it as simple as possible by using only the Josephson C700S to record the duo. When Frans was satisfied with the balance of the musicians and the ambient sound of the hall, we invited Michael and Paul up to the control room, hoping they would agree that this was the sound with which we were going to proceed. "This is us, this is how we sound, this is so real" was Michael's reaction upon listening. Paul just smiled at Frans and said: "Let's play!"
The combination of the C700S microphone and the ears and expertise of engineer Frans de Rond, ensures perfect imaging, great sense of depth, superior realism and complete phase coherence. I love the result. There is in my opinion no better tool for optimizing speaker placement and finding the optimal listening position, than a One Microphone recording done with the C700S. Listening to 'The Gift', I marvel at the completeness of the album, how each song sounds as if it could not have been played in any other way. And I marvel at the vivid naturalness of the sound, it’s as if I am there, standing at the sweet spot where Frans placed the microphone.
- Peter Bjørnild
"Since Bach’s time it has been clear that two voices are all you need for harmony to be heard. These recordings are a dialogue between Paul and myself - we collected a number of our favorite songs and a few originals with the only concept being we wanted to play them simply. The simplicity of just one microphone in front of us and the relaxed atmosphere in the studio, helped create these very close intimate recordings, so perfect for this music.
I’d especially like to thank Frans de Rond and Peter Bjørnild - they were a joy to work with.."
- Michael Moore
"Recording THE GIFT and AMULET: in the midst of the corona epidemic turned out to be our good luck charm, keeping us artistically safe and thriving through this difficult period. Heartfelt melodies played simply and honestly."
- Paul Berner
Frans explains how the Josephson C700S works to Michael and Paul
'The Gift' is the partner to the album AMULET.
Both albums were recorded in December, 2020.
'Amulet' on December 5th and 'The Gift' on December 6th.
Recording, mixing and mastering by Frans de Rond
Recorded at MCO, Studio 2 Hilversum, The Netherlands, on December 6th, 2020
Produced by Peter Bjørnild, Michael Moore and Paul Berner
Used equipment:
Microphones:
Main system - Josephson C700S
Micpre's: Merging Horus
Cables by AudioQuest
Speakers: TAD Compact Evolution One
Poweramp: Moon 760A
Mixing headphones: Hifiman HE1000se / Sennheiser HD800S
Graphic design of front cover by Isabelle Vigier
Catalog Number: SL-1058A