Need advice on streamlined studio. First post!

[paperarmytank]

I'm putting together a small, portable, and streamlined studio to record demos for my band (rough demos, just to get ideas for when we go to the studio), podcasts, and any other little random stuff. Here's my idea, let me know what you think.

I already have a brand new MacBook, so

GarageBand as main program
Toontrack EZDrummer for drums
Line6 Toneport UX1 with included software for guitar/bass/vocals
I know I'll need phantom power for a condenser mic with the UX1, and I already have a Behringer Eurorack UB501 mixer that has phantom power.

I don't know what mic to get. I've thought about the Shure SM57 as I know it's a pretty versatile mic and I wouldn't need phantom power for it. Would a cheap ($100) condenser make that big of a difference? I have some assorted dynamic mics laying around that I could use until I put together some more cash.

Should I go with monitors or good headphones? I'm looking for streamlined and portable here, but monitors sound better I know. I have some $30 Sony headphones that I could use for a while.

I've thought about a midi controller for synth sounds, but I guess with GarageBand's musical typing and midi editing capabilities I can get by with that. I don't use too much synth sounds. Is a midi keyboard an absolute must?

What are your thoughts on this? I have about $500 to spend on everything, excluding the computer and Behringer mixer, which I already own. The EZDrummer and Toneport will take up most of this I know. Thanks for all your help. This is my first post here, and I'm hopeful for some great responses!

[DAS]

You didn't indicate what you want the mic for (voice? guitar?). One thing to think about: the 57 is not the best choice for a lot of things, but it is sometimes the best choice for a few things. This means that for as long as you are recording music, no matter how good your gear gets, you will find uses for it. A decent inexpensive condenser is more like a jack of all trades: it will do a better job overall on more things initially, but at some point you will probably outgrow it and move on to better mics. If you have some other mics around it might be worth giving it a go with them and see what you can do. Ultimately you are going to want a "good" mic that really records things like voice, etc. well.

Monitors -- even cheap ones -- are a must for any decent mix outcome (unless you spend years learning how to do it in headphones -- and you'd need really good headphones).

It sounds like you answered your own question on the keyboard. The main reason to have one is to play parts. If you don't need it for that then you don't need it.