Recording a CONCERT HARP? Success stories please..

[storm-01]

Next week I’ll be recording a concert harp and I’ve never recorded one before, so I was hoping to get some real life, tried and true experiences. I value everyone’s opinions, but for this post I want to hear from those who have actually recorded a concert harp with success and what mics you used and how/where you placed them. I’ve looked at some posts on the DUC, but my situation is slightly different. The musician will be by herself in a room about 20’X14’. She would also like to sing and play at the same time, but I will try to get her to record it separately.

Here’s the gear I have available:

MICS:

2- AKG 451s
2- SM81s
2- 414s
2- R-121s
2- Groove tubes GT55s
2- KSM 32s
1- AEA R84
2- K.E.L. audio HM-1s

PRES:

2- GT Vipres
2- Avalon 737s
6- API 512Cs
2- Chameleon Labs
1- Grace 101
Digi Pres


When you recorded the concert harp, did you use pencil/large dia. condenser mics, or a combo of both? Where did you place them in relation to the harp? Did you use room mics? Did you use ORTF, X/Y, stereo separation, etc? At what area on the harp did you face the mics towards? Ideally, I would like to get a stereo image of the harp from high to low.

To add another challenge to the mix, this lady would like to sing and play the harp at the same time, so I was thinking about using a large dia. mic in a figure eight; using the null point to my advantage. Thoughts? Ultimately I would like to have the playing and singing separate, but she’s always recorded everything live, so I want to make her comfortable. I'm going to try and convence her to sing and play separate.

I’ve done some research online, but I didn’t find the help I was looking for, so your advice is much appreciated.