My experience is that soundcards are incredibly important, just as the microphone used. There is a interesting competition going on in the audio bizz, and I just saw that Samson has come up with a very interesting micrphone which can make the difference between a amateur and pro recording:
C01U – USB Condenser Microphone
https://www.samsontech.com/products/productpage.cfm?prodID=1810&brandID=2
It’s a USB microphone, so you won’t be needing a expensive AD converter, for it’s build in the mic. You also have a large membrane mic. All this for $79! No, I don’t work for Samson, but I have a couple of Samson Rev65A monitoring speakers – a very good quality for the money. I also have used the C01. Again, good quality for the price.
Good luck,
Barend