New with a question

[BerzerkGuts]

Hello, I'm hoping that someone may be able to help me out with figuring out some things.

Here is what I'm after....
Basically I am looking to record vocals which I will be using for voice overs in animations as well as vocal roles in music (hip-hop, some indie rock, etc)
I'm also on a bit of a budget and after much reading through I hear that the Marshall MXLV67G is probably the best vocal mic for the price range.

Here is the issue....
I plan on using my PC for the job. I've got plenty of software and hardware power for the job. However, I have a sound blaster audigy 2 platinum sound card. It's got a bunch of bells and whistles to it (midi in and out, optical, 1/4" headset and microphone jacks, etc etc etc). The problem here is that there is no three pronged jack to get the 48v phantom power for the microphone I stated earlier.

Now finally my questions
1.) Is it possible to get the phantom power by either plugging it into a preamp and then into the 1/4" jack, or even possibly getting an adaptor of sorts with a female XLR to a male 1/4"??
2.) Is there a better alternative microphone in the $100 or less price range without sacrificing much vocal performance AND which doesn't need the phantom power??

Personally I'd like the best quality I can get for vocals in this price range but
any and all suggestions or information on this would be great!
Thanks for any help in advance.

~Guts

[wheelema]

You are not likely to find any fans of SoundBlaster cards here, so your assertion of having plenty of hardware power will most likely be widely razzed. However, if your budget is so constrained as to require the use of the SoundBlaster then so be it.

Insofar as you do not have a preamp it does not much matter whether or not your microphone requires phantom power... whatever preamp you buy will almost certainly have phantom power. I would suggest you look at the M-Audio AudioBuddy (approx. $80) or M-Audio DMP-3 (approx. 150) for two possiblities.

As far as tourqing yourself into a knot trying to get the signal from your preamp into your SoundBlaster, you most likely will be able to roll your own, or find what you want at RadioShack.

Luck.

[BerzerkGuts]

My comment on hardware power was more intended towards my PC itself, not so much the soundblaster card.
However, thank you for the reply! I shall investigate further.

~Guts