Two SM57 or 58 mics, plus knowledge of placement, will go a long way.

After getting a clue from the regular posters on this forum, I can't in good conscious recommend anything else for 200 bones.

Go with what Tiger said - get some 57s.
They wont do you no harm...

Get a couple of AT2020's, assuming you have a mixer with phantom power. You can find them from ebay store for about $80-85.

Why would he need 2 at2020? I think one sm57 and one at2020 would do better.

Well, he did mention perhaps recording piano. Also, congas come in pairs. Nothing says you have to use the same type of mic when using pairs, but it's a generally accepted practice, keeps the sonic profiles between the two tracks more similar. Also, condensers are a better choice overall for acoustic instruments and vocals because of the extended frequency response. Nothing against 57's, they're workhorses, but I use my 2020's way more than I use my 57's. I just think they're more versatile.

BTW, mellotron, two mics is fine for piano. If it's against the wall, pull it several feet away and mic from the soundboard on the rear of the box. I have a grand piano in my studio, typically only use two mics, occasionally throw a room mic in for ambience when needed.

For budget mics I really like these :-

Shure SM57 (all round)
Studio Projects B1 (all round)
MXL V67g (vocals)
MXL 603's pair (stereo recordings)
Naiant MSH-1s pair (stereo recordings)

Any of these can give you excellent recordings!

Okay, cool, thanks for the advice, everyone.

I'm considering dropping the congas, getting a MIDI keyboard like a Yamaha PSR-E403 and FL Studio or Cubase?, and just creating my own percussion that way. I'd have to figure out how to program beats, but I think it might be worth it money-wise considering all of the virtual instruments I could have at my disposal.

I'd still have to record live piano, since I'm not too fond of how it sounds with MIDI. Do sampled beats just sound more realistic than stringed instruments when using MIDI?

There are some SICK vst's out, better than the real thing. Want a Bösendorfer but dont have 100g, this is the next best thing.

http://vsl.co.at/en/211/442/478/449/287.htm

54gb!!!! There are many others out, but i always try and get the most recent one for best sounds.
You have to have a good midi keyboard with weighted realistic keys, or it obviously will wreck the experience, but some of these programs are unreal!
Check some out and listen to their demos, pretty sharp!
-mark

mellotron wrote:
I'd still have to record live piano, since I'm not too fond of how it sounds with MIDI. Do sampled beats just sound more realistic than stringed instruments when using MIDI?

im a fan of most of the xml brand mics

but you can never go wrong with a couple 57's