Shure - SM58

A microphone by itself will not work, you need something to connect it (a cable) to the device that is connecting it (an interface) to whatever they are using to record it (a computer). The Shure SM 58 is a good mic, I use it for everything. Last time I bought one they were about $100usd.  This is a thoughtful gift but if you don't know what they are recording with and they don't know, may as well get them a gift card to a music store. 

Grab a cheap, used SM57 or 58. Keep it as a backup when you upgrade someday. It doubles as a hammer in emergencies. Can't kill the damn things and they will always sound "good". Rarely great, never bad, but always good enough.

SM58 for sure. I know it's not typically a recording mic but if you're like me and are in a loud environment or a place where you can't control background noise, I find it more consistent. I use it over my condenser. If you are in an environment where that's not an issue then I'd look for a condenser mic for vocals. But like, you can't go wrong with a 58.

This is truly a buy-once-cry-once scenario. A Shure SM58 and a standalone recording device, will give you infinitely more flexibility, easier simpler workflow, and better results. I personally think you are spending money (that it sounds like you maybe don’t have) on an imperfect solution. I learned this the hard way, but have now recorded nearly 750 hours of podcasts, and would NEVER go back to a USB / laptop kit. I get being on a budget, and I don’t know your situation, but for $250 (SM58 + Podtrak P4), you will have an outstanding beginner kit, with tons of room to grow, and you will be able to upgrade components, without ditching everything.

USED AT, AKG condenser, or buy a brand new SM58 if you don't want to deal too much with room treatment

I agree I’m not a big fan of their vocal mics. Love em on drums & other instruments but I rather have a 58 any day.

For the Roland SP-404MKII, you’ll need a dynamic microphone that plugs straight into the 1/4” jack. Most ultra-compact mics (like mini shotguns or lavaliers) actually require power, which the SP-404MKII doesn’t provide. So, most tiny mics won’t work directly—people usually recommend standard dynamic mics like the Shure SM58 with an adapter, but that’s not exactly “short.” Among the smallest options mentioned on forums, the Saramonic SR-XM1 is worth a try—it’s designed for cameras, but some users have reported it works as a mini mic with the SP. However, there’s no 100% guarantee it’ll work perfectly. Generally, the recommendation is to use a compact dynamic mic (something like the Akai ADM-80/40/60 or similar with a short body), but there aren’t many options that are truly tiny “stubs,” due to the lack of phantom or plug-in power. If you want that OG 404 vibe, the closest option is the Saramonic SR-XM1, or maybe an old-school dictaphone mic with a built-in battery (so it provides power).

It's just darker and muddier than average studio mic. It's not a bad option for untreated room. You don't know which mic fits your voice until you try them. 57 and 58 are different but not that much, you can make 58 half way there by removing a grill (with extra care and windscreen) to see if you like it more, but not the opposite way

Condensers have a far wider range as far as quality goes, the more expense ones are a world apart from the cheaper ones, where as dynamics the more you pay the smaller the quality increase per dollar spent. The good news on that is you can get a quite good dynamic vocal mic like the Sure sm58 which is really cheap and the go to for the live entertainment world. No matter the scale of the production you will always find sm58s on the stage or in the production box. Anyone claiming the most expensive mics are the best doesn't understand how mics work and what makes a good one or a bad one. They are the sort of people that claim they can hear the difference in a mic cable.

SM58s are the go to mic in the live industry, if in doubt an SM58 will do the job, they are the AK47 of microphones, they sound good and you can run them over with a truck, plug them in and they will still work. An SM58 with a pop filter is good enough for most home recording, to be completely honest the better the mic the harder it is to hide any imperfections with your vocals.

And the SM 58 is great for live performances