Hi. I'm not only new to the forum, I'm new to recording in general. I'm probably going to type way too much for the simple question I'm going to ask, but oh well. Better safe than sorry.

I don't even know if this is in the right forum (there are so many to choose from, I don't see how it's possible to get the correct forum unless you've been posting here for a while).

This is a pretty embarrassing situation, because I thought it would be common sense, but here goes...

I want to record some guitar stuff. Nothing huge, I just want to get into recording one foot at a time--test the water out, so to speak.

My friend suggested that I purchase an [="http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/701368"]M-Audio MobilePre USB[/]="http://www.musician…"]M-Audio MobilePre USB[/] to get started. He also suggested I purchase a Shure SM57, because apparently those bad boys are put to good use even after you've gotten past your beginner gear.

Seeing as how I couldn't afford to get both of these at the same time, I settled for a little less, and purchased the [[url=http://="http://www.musician…"]Musician's Friend Podcasting Kit[/]="http://www.musician…"]Musician's Friend Podcasting Kit[/] (for PC, I'm not using a Mac). From the stuff that's included in the kit, I am using the [="http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/701368"]M-Audio MobilePre USB[/]="http://www.musician…"]M-Audio MobilePre USB[/], the [[url=http://="http://www.musician…"]MXL V63M Condenser Studio Microphone[/]="http://www.musician…"]MXL V63M Condenser Studio Microphone[/] and the cables and stand, of course. To record the actual music I am using Adobe Audition.

My question is (this is the real funny part), how the crap do I get everything set up with my guitar amp to actually record?

I just need a diagram of what needs to be hooked to what. A description would be nice in lieu of said diagram, though. :)

I know that the Phantom Power button on the M-Audio MobilePre USB has to be turned on because it's a condenser microphone, but that's pretty much as far as my knowledge goes.

Here's how I have it set up now (and probably what's wrong):

Note: The Phantom Power button on the M-Audio MobilePre USB is on.
- I have my guitar amp plugged into the wall, and the guitar plugged into the amp, naturally.
- The M-Audio MobilePre USB is hooked up to my computer (I'm using a desktop, not a laptop).
- The MXL V63M Condenser Studio Microphone is hooked up to the Ch 1 XLR Mic input on the rear of the M-Audio MobilePre USB. The microphone is sitting in front of the amplifier.
- I don't know how the headphone inputs work entirely (I only hear the sound out of one ear after plugging it into the "headphones" slot in the front of the M-Audio MobilePre USB). But that's not really my concern at this moment.
- I have Adobe Audition open and ready to record, and I have a track assigned to record. But, when I press the record button, nothing registers on the screen, and I do not hear any recorded sound when played back.

When I try to record on Microsoft's (my operating system is Windows XP: Pro, if that helps any) basic sound recorder program, I hear a distorted sound of the recording, but very faint. So, I'm not sure what's going on.

Also, I'm aware the M-Audio MobilePre USB has instrument inputs on the front and back. But, I don't understand how the computer would record the music coming from an amp that has no guitar plugged into it in this case. Or maybe I'm absolutely stupid and don't understand the simplicity of how this works. :?

Please, you can point and laugh all you want, but I just want to understand how this works and what I'm doing wrong. I'm pretty positive it's something that I am supposed to have additionally plugged into the M-Audio MobliePre USB with the microphone (the manual that came with the M-Audio MobilePre USB doesn't really help, because it assumes you know what you're doing).

Also, if it's not too much trouble, how do I get the headphones to play out of both ears? In the manual it says one input is for the left speaker, and one is for the right. Do I have to get some type of adapter that splits the headphones jack to accommodate for this?

I apologize again if this is the wrong forum, and thanks in advance if you do not mock me for my ignorance. :P