I think you should be able to get a decent recording with the USB mic. I know better mics, pre-amps and everything make some difference but I don't think enough to keep you from making a decent recording with a good balance. A couple of thoughts:

1. You might check whether add reverb is added on your Real Tracks in the Real Tracks preferences. If it is you might want to remove the check box to allow you to have more control. You can always add back reverb in Real Band.

2. The tracks you are going to mix together are going to be full and clear alone when you solo them. However together they may become muddy and not balanced well. EQ is what I am learning from some online courses that can help you get the vocal to sit well in the mix. Not the only thing but definitely the foundation upon which you build. You need to find the dominant frequencies for the vocal and make sure you don't have any other instruments "competing" for that same frequency. If you do add a slight cut in that area on that instrument. Basically you are trying to give each instrument it's dominant frequency in the mix, so you need to do similiar things with your Bass, guitars, keys etc. I have found that Joe Gilder at www.Homestudiocorner.com has some pretty good tips. The thing I like about him is he focuses more on the "how" you do it versus getting into the technical details right off the bat.

Hope this helps along with the other suggestions. I know I have struggled with this for years and though I am better am making an effort to focus on the basic foundational stuff this year and try to get it down solid. With all the new toys, tools, and software it is always tempting to get so much stuff you just plain out cannot learn it all.

Terry

TerryB

Windows 10, Dell 8700 XPS i7, 12MB Ram.