Recording stuff

Audio Technica Pro 37 is a pretty cool and handy small condenser that I got turned onto that does not cost much and sounds good on an acoustic. It's a small microphone and you will see people use them on stage quite a bit in acoustic settings.

Heavy curtains can cut down on sound from outside more than you might think. I used one of those rolling hanger racks full of clothes to block of a kit in a house that worked pretty good. Classic punk rock thing is flip mattress and box springs off a bed in front of windows. Sometimes goofy stuff like that will work for a session in a house and move it back when done.

I have a similar setup and am doubtful as to whether spending an extra 750 will significantly improve my recordings but will follow this with interest - did you consider posting on Sound on Sound or Gearslutz or smth?

It kind of depends on what you want to record. If you want to record a drum kit, you got a different set of goals than a guy with an acoustic.

Digital converter does make a difference.
Microphones do make a difference.
Preamps do make a difference.

How much difference, well...It kind of depends on what you want to capture. You got a band, you need total tracks. You are a one man band, you might want to concentrate on the preamp and digital converter and/or quality of the microphone.

what about like Hip Hop and R&B?

Then most of what you care about is software/plugins/samples, maybe a keyboard or two, and a good vocal recording setup.