hey man im quite a noob too in all things sound but while you wait for some of the pros to get at ya. what usb sound card you using? i remember reading this is def preferred over using mic jack. Also does your mixer have a record or booth out. use this as opposed to master out. that way it records irrespective of what the master volume is set out. oh yeah And when you say your recording is crap maybe clarify. i.e you getting clipping, pops and clicking, distortion, volume too low, eqs all messed etc etc