Ah, I didn't know of the Mountain Dulcimer - that's interesting! I'd guess many cultures across the globe have their own version of the same basic concept of this kind of instrument.

I don't remember if I have already posted a link to this - but in any case, I'm glad that the kantele as an instrument is not dead and not merely museumized - it is alive and kicking, with both the traditional use, and then some of the new generation developing new ways. There is also a new evolution of the instrument itself, like the electric kantele etc.

What comes to the microphones, I think Sami has an array of different kind of mics, but then what we actually have been using most of the time is a portable device we call simply H2. I think it is a slightly older version of this - not exactly a cheap one, but sure worth the price for it serves well for different situations. A couple of different kind of windscreens come handy, as well.