heres asome names and prices of gear you should look into.
(prices are us funds):
ROLAND STUDIO PACK: you can have 24 track/24 bit recording and 96khz capability.
the vm3100pro mixer has 12 analog inputs with 2 of them being xlr with phantom power. compressors,reverb,eq and a lot of other fx stuff. you can exchange 8 channels at a time. and it comes with logic rpc. with that you can record 8 tracks at a time and playback 24 all at once and you can sequence. $695.98
(no sound card needed. pci slot is required.with this external pre amps and compressors are optional because you have everything onboard)
MICROPHONES:
akg c1000s condenser: $199
shure 58 dynamic: $99.99
rode NT1 condenser: $199.99
rode NT3 condenser: $159.99
audio technica at3525 condenser: $239.98
akg d880 dynamic: $94.98
EXTERNAL COMPRESSORS (opitional if you buy the roland pack):
presonus blue max compressor limiter:$149.99
dbx 266 dual compressor/gate: $149.98
art leveler tube compressor/limiter: $99.99
alesis 3630 compressor/limiter/gate: $149.99
EXTERNAL PRE AMPS (opitional if you buy the roland pack):
art tube mp studio: $125.99
art dio preamp system(has digital outs): 254.98
presonus blue tube stereo pre:$149.99
MONITORS (you must get an amp $175-$300)
alesis monitor ones:$249.99
jbl 4206:$320
tannoy proto j:$225
event 20/20:$300
Yorkville YSM-1:$178.00
now if my budget was $1300 i would get the roland pak because all you need is a pci slot and your all digital and you can transpots 8 channels at a time. plus you have your mic pre's with phantom power and onboard fx units and dynamic processors.
if i purchased that i would hold off on the mic pre and external compresser.
a good mic is NEEDED. so i would choose a akg c1000 or rode nt1 or the shure 58 (dont forget the popper).
good monitors are NEEDED. i would take the events or alesis monitors with
an alesis ra 100 amp ($260)
so what is your TOTAL budget? 1300 in us bucks or 2000 in us bucks? if i were you i would STRONGLY look into that roland studio pack. remember your on a budget. get the MOST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK!!!!! you need something now and to get you in the ball park. if it was me i would get the roland setup and worry about an external pre and external compresser later.
czar
ps you DONT have pro money you have a LIMITED BUDGET. get the most bang for your buck.