A mixer is dirt cheap, but you don't need one. It just makes life a little easier is you want to sing and record an instrument at the same time. If you got a dual input sound card, then you don't really need it. I just like the fact i can plug in multiple instruments and record them into the one track, and hear it through the headphones as i record.
Small question though. What difference does phantom power have over a battery operated condenser mic?
Small question though. What difference does phantom power have over a battery operated condenser mic?