The only other problem I can see you possibly having is with your sound card. I don't know what kind of sound card you are using but you said you are plugging straight into the mic input. Your sound card should have a direct input or line in and that's the one you want to use for your recording. My factory sound card did not have this option so I bought a soundbalster 5.1 at Wal Mart for 40 dollars. It's not the best soundcard on the market but it gets the job done.