(All prices reffered to are street prices)

Hey, I'm just starting out and have a 3 part question:

I have an M-Audio O-Zone and am not too thrilled with it; no master volume, no endless knobs, weak pre-amp . I want to start recording vocals and wouldn't trust the built-in preamp. So:

1)
I want to get a good interface and am leaning towards the Focusrite Saffire: onboard DSP, 4-ins, 8 outs. Up to 192 kHz sampling rate. Is this a wise choice? My budget would be $400 USD for the interface. Other options are the Presonus Firebox or the E-Mu 1616.
What do you think?

2)
What would you recommend as far as a midi controller to replace my O-Zone? I like the endless knobs on the Alesis Photon x25. It seems like this would be ideal for performing live efficiently, I use Reason 2.5 (upgrading to 3 soon) and am probably getting Live within the next months too.

But…I have heard many good things about Novation controllers, as well as Edirol's, which are paper thin, a plus for portability. I just want a stable, efficient controller with endless knobs if possible, audio interface not necessary. Budget for Controller is $300. Anything crappy about the Alesis? Let me know, what do you think?

3)
I'm looking to get a decent mic for vocals under $250, I've read many good things about the Røde NT1-A and the Audio-Technica 3035, and I am slightly interested in the Electro-Voice Cardinal but can't really find any reviews on it.

Any other mics I should be aware of in this price range?

Thanks in advance for your time!

1. Saffire, only 2 analog ins... Bleh (the other 2 are digital)
E-Mu, not Mac compatible + cardbus is very limiting
Firebox, 2 great pre's + 2 more line inputs (most people seem to love this thing)

2. cant help you here, I use my Alesis 8.1 as my master controller

3. I own the AT-3035 and love it the bass roll off and pad switches are life savers. The Rode is a great mic, but not as versatile as the 3035. Please consider the Studio Projects C1. I love how smooth it is, especially on a female voice.

1. I think the Saffire onboard DSP is over-rated. You can't adjust it, like you can a regular EQ or compression plug - it's preset. So you get presets for Vocal, Acoustic, Bass and so on. They sound OK, but honestly, big deal. I also can't find out for sure whether the converters actually convert analog at 192kHz or if it's just the digital signal they work on at this high level - all of the promotional literature is rather coy on the subject. Don't get excited about 192kHz, either - your dog would have trouble telling 48kHz from 96kHz, let alone 192. The FireBox at 96kHz sounds pretty freaking tasty to my ears - and I work as a mastering engineer.

The PreSonus FireBox is much better all round, IMHO. I currently have both boxes on my desktop and I hate the Saffire already. It took me forever to get it up and running; the FireBox was plug and play - in as much as I simply plugged the FireWire cable in and I was good to go. I spent the best part of two days trying to get the Saffire going.

Other things I hate about the Saffire: all the plug-ins and the mix interface feature pale text on a pale background. Unbelievable. Unintelligible. No gauge on the gain pots either and no obvious marker on the knob itself. From a distance or at a glance, you have no idea what your settings are. Score two for the FireBox: stepped controls, with a decent guage around them and an obvious level indicator. Saffire is also made of cheap plastic, where the FireBox is proper brushed aluminium. Also, you can't rack or stack Saffire - it's another stupid Mbox desk hog. I have the FireBox stacked neatly atop my FMR, BBE and Joe Meek 1/3 rack units and it's a tidy wee stack and no mistake.

2. Novation controllers are bloody marvellous. Everyone knows that. Edirol's super thin ones are toys. Cute toys. If you're using Reason 3, save a bit more and maybe get the Korg Kontrol 49 - that syncs automatically with the Reason 3 devices. I have both and it's a delight. The Kontrol also syncs with lots of other popular synths, so I'm one happy camper. That probably should read kamper.

3. I have a Rode K2. It's lovely. I trust Rode. I did own an AT4033 for a while, but I like my K2 much better. Mics are very subjective things, though.