Ableton Forum

just get it in there (the computer) without clipping the inputs... and you're good to go.
Vocals are a bit trickier though... try to get them to stay between -10dB to about -6dB (for protection)
if you want a decent hw comp that's bang for the buck...I'd go with dbx 160...

oh... and all the cushions and blankets you can from around the house ...
you can use another mic to catch natural reverbs
...the bathroom tiles or place a mic in the hallway and get the natural reverbs...you can do many more odd things...
just let your imagination run free...
you can get really neat stuff if you experiment ! (besides ...you get experience)
bottom line - you don't need very much except good material and inspiration...

the gear... it's secondary most of the time...
nice mic...nice preamp... oh...and nice A/D/D/A converters