aaronmcoleman
The truth is out there!
Just cruise around here for a while and pick up some info before you buy anything else. As long as you have a decent mic and a regular interface (with the built in pres), you can make some nice recordings while learning about equipment.
A nice "warm" pre is GAP-73 for $300.
Ask specific questions about what you want to know, and price range, and you'll get some good responses. I'd recommend spending some time getting to know what's available before buying anything.