about the cheapest combo i know of and dont knock it till youve tried it.
for about 90 bucks.
a cad gxl or mca sp 1 LDC into a behringer mic 100 preamp.
may not be a million dollar royer ssl approach.
but it will save that rent check and get down some decent tracks
for very cheap. if you know how to engineer and mic placement
from what ive heard from people i trust.