Originally Posted by Guitarhacker
Audio interface that uses ASIO drivers and has phantom power and audio preamps
That's fairly important, IMHO. The on-board audio in most PCs works 'OK', but has a number of significant downsides ... poorer noise, flimsy connector, wrong sensitivites and output levels to an amp if you use one, no phantom power. Most condensor mics need phantom power.

I think all of the instrument/equipment distributors sell good interfaces ... Sweetwater, Thomann, Gear4Music et al. Small USB modules by the likes Focusrite, Presonus, are the kind of thing you'll want. It'll save all sorts of hassles. Condensor mics are excellent for recording, but you may also want a pop-shield as they can be sensitive to the plosives in in speech, i.e., P and B particularly.

Originally Posted by Guitarhacker
Band in a Box (BB) comes with Real Band ( the Windows version) which is a free DAW packaged with BB.
Strictly RealBand isn't a free DAW, it's proprietary, but it comes included with BiaB, so it's no additional cost.

Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11
BIAB2025 Audiophile, a bunch of other software.
Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts
.