To echo inocybe...Reverb is okay but too often it is overdone. A good, and generally inexpensive delay unit can give you an excellent presense. Depending on what you're using as a recording unit, some have great on-board effects. I can't speak for the computer based systems as I don't use them. I find it's too easy to be lulled into a sense of false authenticity. Again, not knowing what you're using, it's difficult to say. Home recording obviously is much different from live stage. Some of the digital recorders are excellent. The Korg D8 & D16, The Roland VS series, Boss. A lot of it will come down to budget of course. You mentioned some sounds you didn't care for. What kind of strange noises are you finding?? Have you developed a system of breathing exercises. It's important to properly prepare. A pop screen is a good idea. You don't have to use a top of the line mic either, but again, avoid the Radio Shack specials.
Personally, for my home studio, I'm using Beta 58, sometimes my EV457, through a Boss digital delay, and compression within my D8. Should you get yourself an effects unit / enhancer of some sort, try to find one with editable parameters as opposed to pre-sets that you have no control over and just have to accept the way they sound. The more control YOU have, the better your sound will be. You don't need a rack the size of a Marshall Stack to attain a good sound. If you've got a good contact at your favourite music store, seek them out and tell them what you're wanting to achieve. You'd be surprised, they're not all in it just for the commission. Good Luck.

[This message has been edited by Leon (edited 01-29-2001).]