Microphones?

[T.C. Elliott]

No need for a pre-amp on the sm58. I use an ATAT2020 and have had excellent results. It's under a hundred bucks, condenser (which needs phantom power) and can be used for a room mic as well.
what I really need to do is find a room in the house that doesn't add that unwanted reverb to the vox track. This room is the worst. *sigh*

[peterp]

I have a Shure sm57 & sm58 they work great through a mixer.
Terrible if plugged directly into the MBR using an xlr->1/4-> mini jack impedance matching adapter,
I could never get them work directly that is what prompted me to get the little Yamaha MG82cx mixer.

[Flash Harry]

I kinda love my NT4A. Needs phantom power and a pre-amp though - but the quality.....

[tony]

I use a Rode M3 and I really like it.  It's a condenser mic so it needs phantom power but it carries a 9v battery in the barrel so it is self-powered. No need for anything other than plugging in the mic.  It has a switch inside so you can play with its sensitivity and use close to very loud sources.  I'm not techno whiz but you can read the review here.  I think it is a very good all purpose mic.

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov07/articles/rodem3.htm