Well, my first thought is, "if texaz_killasm0ke ever figures this out, and tells anyone, there would be a revolution!"

I'll try to give you a couple of pointers, but honestly anything I'm going to say you probably already know, but sometimes its nice to get some confirmation. I take it you're thinking the most important things are:
1)cost
2)cost
3)cost
4)professional sound
5)cost

Well, those studios where they make professional quality recordings of vocals, they have a different set of assumptions. Something like:

1)professional sound
2)more customers
3)make the customers sound great regardless of cost
4)professional equipment
5)repeat business

I think you and I want the same thing. Magic.

(Dead Link Removed)

Good luck. Hopefully someone else will chime in soon.

CHAD

Sorry. I just realized you wanted an expert's help. My bad.

CHAD

Buy a Mackie Onyx Satellite. (The price has just dropped dramatically)

This will provide two good preamps, act as your audio interface, and comes with all the software you need included (Tracktion 3. Seriously, it rocks)

Then borrow an SM58 from someone and get stuck in...