Hg20 Eerie Cinematic Classic

A definitive and experimental take on a cinematic water based classic played by percussion virtuoso Paul Clarvis. The Spitfire team take this instrument beyond its vintage horror stereotype and discovers its inspirational beauty when recorded in the hall at Air Studios.

Hg2O is a set of samples performed by Paul Clarvis of a metallic atonal acoustic musical instrument consisting of a stainless steel resonator bowl or pan with a cylindrical neck and bronze rods of different lengths and diameters around the rim of the bowl. The resonator may contain a small amount of water giving the instrument a vibrant ethereal sound that has appeared in countless movie soundtracks, record albums, and live performances.

Recorded by Jake Jackson at Lyndhurst Hall - Air Studios, one of the finest scoring stages in the world through a huge array of priceless vintage microphones via Neve "Monserrat" pre-amps to a beautifully serviced Studer 2" tape machine and then into digital at 96k via the best Prism AD converters this is an unparalleled signal chain.
Spitfire sampled deeply both bowed or drummed with movements to affect the water inside. This creates the resonant characteristics of the bowl and rods in combination with the movement of the water. The sound of the instrument is often used to evoke mystery and suspense.