Hi, bluegal! Another two cents' worth.

Never mind the answer, what's the question? Another factor in figuring out what you need is to know what you plan to DO with the recordings you will make. If they are simply to gauge your own performance at home, almost anything will do as far as letting you know whether you are on pitch and in time with the music.

Or do you plan to sell recordings that you make? This would require that you get the very best that you could afford--and I don't mean with the $100 you apparently have in your pocketbook, but budgeting for a low-noise, full-range, high-quality mic and preamp. In that case, figure out what it is and save up for it. Buy a $20 mic until then, or use a friend's superior setup until you can afford the ideal.

I suspect that the answer lies somewhere between. The Behringer Podcast unit would give you a studio-in-a-box (hey, I kinda like the sound of that!) and be as portable as your computer, with the money you have NOW.

Be willing to make mistakes, too. There is no perfect, "right" answer to your question, except as far as it meets YOUR needs. Fact is, we're all learning. Most of us have gear stashed away that we acquired along the way, but which no longer suits our needs. Oopsie.

And welcome to one of the coolest sites on da planet. One thing you get here is perspective, and FAST. I am very grateful for that. Hope to hear what you decide, and what you do after that.

Regards,

Ryszard

"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."