a good quality mic is extreme on importance, I would say any vocal shure is a good choice for a good price... Try and go for something with a shockmount and can be mounted easy. Never go with a "nobody" company... I am thinkin about an MXL 990 cardioid condenser mic, but only cuz it's cheap and has gotten good review "for the money". (50.00 or so) it comes with a hard case and the shockmount and cable too... my boy loaned me a shure pg-58 and I can't wait to hear what it does for clarity.
WHATEVER YOU DO, do not forsake the compressor/limiter for the vocal content.
A.R.T. makes good tube compressors for a good price, like tube MP. the Studio V3 is about 120$ and the vocals they drop are full and REALLY clean sounding.
It makes all the difference, especially if you plan on gettin heated on the mic, like me.