Advice B4 buying M-Audio MobilePre USB

[cbsc]

First of all, thank you for this forum.

After reading most of these threads, I think buying a preamp is my next step
in turning my laptop into a bare bones, easy to use, and inexpensive recording studio that will produce halfway decent demos (which is all I want).

I just want to record one track at a time, but maybe have the option to
record guitar and voice at the same time.

Current situation:

Dell Laptop: 1.66 GHz, 512 ram, 30G hard dive,
Windows XP Media Center Edition
with a SB Audigy Advanced MB soundcard (not so advanced- HA!!!).
Audacity software/freeware
SM-57 plugged into the Line in/Microphone port.

While this yields a nice tone for the bass guitar, it is terrible for voice
and guitar, and as I have learned-- "a big no-no."

I am interested in buying a M-Audio MobilePre USB preamp.
Is this my next step?
Many users had trouble with configuring settings.
Would a M-Audio MobilePre USB preamp be compatible with what I have?.
Any other items to consider for purchase?-- I know I should eventually
get a nice mic for vocals. Unfortunately, right now my buget is tight, so
I can afford one more item(s) under $200. I would be willing to save to get
firewire box (or whatever that was people mentioned) if it is worth it.

Thank you for the help,
cbsc

 

[studiomaster]

Get a condenser mic. AT3035 or SP C1?

 

[scrubs]

I would be more inclined to go with the Fast-Track-Pro, of the M-Audio USB interfaces. The Fast Track Pro supports 24-bit recording (the MobilePre is only 16-bit) and has a few more bells/whistles.

 

[cbsc]

Awesome

Thank you guys-- that really helps-- I will probably go with the fast track and eventually get one of those mics.
Keep up the good work,
cbsc