A condenser style active mic like a Rode or AT 40 series would be more sensitive to the nuance of a quiet sound that you may desire to pick up, but if you are going to be traveling then they don't make very good walking mics. Condenser mics should be kept under lock and key in a humidity regulated room and handled with rubber gloves... (exaggerating) If you are doing outdoor recording or recording around water (not advisable) then pick a dynamic style mic, because they have the rugged edge over condensers. There is a bit of a legend behind SM58s that they can be used to hammer nails into the stage, then the same mic is wired and used by the vocalist for the entire length of the show before being artistically smashed as an encore stage-leaving stunt, brushed off put in its case and used again the next day... yeah they've got a reputation for being rugged mics. Dynamic mics also don't need phantom power, while condenser mics do. If you want phantom power, then you need a preamp/conversion interface which offers in-line phantom power. This would also limit your portability, which it sounds like you need in your line of work. Maybe look into a Zoom H4N as a portable recording solution. Built in mics, so you don't get a nice shiny heavy Rode or Shure mic... but it easily fits your needs in one unit. Just take the output from the Zoom unit into the line in of your computer for editing. For software, any DAW will do what you need. Download and try Reaper, it's got a free trial version, but the trial never expires really. Cubase is a step above Reaper, but the cost of entry is higher.