Newbie home recorder: what microphone should i buy

[pserex9]

I'm searching for a low budget microphone 80-150 dollars for home recording and I'm thinking about the blue Spark (200 $) or the blue encore 100 (100 $) and would want to know what type of micro will suit me best for recording a tube guitar amp and also my voice.
PS : The audio interface is no problem as I'm thinking of buying the focusrite scarlett 2i2

[eRoland]

I would start with a Shure 57 if I only had $100. Works on guitar cabs and vocals. In a small untreated room a dynamic mic can yield good results. If you can swing it the audio technica at2050 has multi patterns. The at2035 good too.

[David_Cochran]

Personally, I'd go the Large Diaphragm Condenser route. If you're going to buy an interface like the 2i2, you'd be doing a disservice to yourself by not buying a solid condenser microphone.

The Blue spark is a great mic. I have 2 of them and can attest to their reliability and versatility. The "focus" switch is great for removing some low-end boominess.

Another really nice entry level condenser is the Studio Projects B3. It has 3 polar patterns, so you can use it in different applications such as recording multiple sources with one microphone. It also has a high pass filter, which operates the same as the focus control on the Spark. Also a 10dB pad for louder sources.

What drew you to the Spark and the 2i2?