i am going to be doing a chamber quartet (violin, cello, flute, and
pedal harp) in an average studio setting. they want to overdub it
rather than play as an ensemble, and i guess i have two basic
approaches to this - i can idividually mic each instrument and then
mix, or i can set up a nice ORTF pair in the room as if they were
going to play as an ensemble, then track them one at a time with the
instruments situated where they would be if they were playing as a
group (too much build-up of room sound this way?).

the use of individual close mics on each instrument can give a very
intimate feel ("they are here"), while the minimialist/purist crowd
would likely use the second method (a single main pair) to acheive a
more classical feel ("you are there"). i am sure you guys have done
plenty of sessions both ways, and maybe additional ways (main pair
plus spots?). what method(s) have you found that might give the best
results?

if the group also included a piano, would you just mic it as part of
the ensemble, or would you put a one/two spot mics close on the piano
in addition to the main pair? i have schoeps cmc64s, akg c480s/ck61s
and HV3 pres. thanks.