(COMPUTER) recording set up

I am of a similar mind to Bobbsy.  I don't think the $100 pres are really much (any?) better than the small mixers.  They're pretty much the same class of device - cheap, but usable.  To improve meaningfully you have to spend a few hundred on a preamp.  

One situation where a mic preamp would be better is if your soundcard was so crappy that you want to come into your PC via firewire or USB to bypass the soundcard.  There are devices that do this as well.  But if you go with the Emu or something like the M-Audio Audiophile 2496 that would not be an issue.

I think Bobbsy & others have you on the right track.  There are other places on the web to learn, but keep in mind that audio geeks are particular and will suggest certain favorite gear and defend their choice to the death...   So be patient and take everything with a grain of salt (even me.  Maybe especially me.    )

One place to learn about good cheap mixers is the web site of the manufacturers. The information may be a bit overpowering at first, but you know it is usually pretty thorough and correct.

For many years I used a Soundcraft Notepad mixer out in the field and as a home unit to link the stereo system, some DAT and tape machines, CD's and mics, and fed it into a couple of computers, one of which used a Turtle Beach Santa Cruz soundcard as mentioned earlier in this thread.  It cost very little and worked extremely well.

There may be lots of info on other sites, but why not start with somewhere like

http://www.soundcraft.co.uk/product_sheet.asp?product_id=1

and look at the data sheets and user guides.

well after reading tons of reviews on sounds cards. The MA^ and the EMU404 Im scared t get one lol. Lots of people are saying that they a very complicated and cant record over 20 mins, and more then 2 tracks.Also lots of pops and cracks.. The good reviews are more then likely advertisement purposes. And everyone keeps talkin about programs thats with the sound card. What is up with all that I just want it to record with what I have which is Cool Edit pro. And for it to give me good crisp vocals. This stuff is really stressful

Is an external Sound Card any better then a internal

Im just paranoid cause I dont want to get this stuff and it not work right, or me not be able to work it.

well after reading tons of reviews on sounds cards. The MA^ and the EMU404 Im scared t get one lol. Lots of people are saying that they a very complicated and cant record over 20 mins, and more then 2 tracks.Also lots of pops and cracks.. The good reviews are more then likely advertisement purposes. And everyone keeps talkin about programs thats with the sound card. What is up with all that I just want it to record with what I have which is Cool Edit pro. And for it to give me good crisp vocals. This stuff is really stressful

When I was using an EMU0404, the only problem I had was learning how to use the patchmix program to set the card up to record, which I figured out in 20 minutes.  The card worked great for me.  There will always be complaints from those not tech-savvy enough to figure out how to use hardware or troubleshoot.

Im new to all this so I will probably have  lots of trouble with it. I didnt know you had to do anything to it. I thought you just hooked it up to your comp and it gave you better sound and was good for hookin other equipment to