Track and Master volumes in the software should be at unity (0).

The POD master volume should be the final adjustment to the input. If you RTFM, you'll see that it should be on max.

If you're trying to get a clean sound, you may want to try backing off the guitar volume a tad too, depending on the pickup.

RTFM? Well I dont have a manuel, this came off ebay. Plus I have zero knowledge about this stuff and am coming to you people to learn. Thanks anyway

Behold! The power of the internets!
Line 6 Manuals

Well you helped me thanks. Got the Line 6 manual off the internet but the dumb thing just explains stupid stuff like waht a delay is and what different amps it simulates. Plus I am not good at reading directions. I need directions for directions if you know what I mean. Dumbass redneck here.

The goal is to get all the levels of all devices as near to "0" as possible, without going over...

When you can, start at "the source".

For instance, start at the mic pre or mixer(Using it's own meter - The Mackie mixers come with v-e-r-y complete "set-up" instructions - available for free download from their site - which may help you understand anyone else's anything, regarding level setting...).

Then your sound card/interface level(With it's own meter). Windows "internal mixer" SHOULD be "out of it", as far as it's concerned - you should not have to mess with Windows audio mixer...

Check the audio software meters, too, of course.

If at all possible, you want to vary level in the computer SOMEWHERE ELSE! DO NOT change levels using a soundcards "internal" mixer, OR your software, whenever you can - certainly for tracking. Try to make all level changes in the analog realm, BEFORE getting into the computer(Have things right going in). Whenever the copmputer must make a level change it must do so by "transforming" - something you want to do as little as possible.

As you go along, make the source, as high as possible without going over "0"(Best to "peak" NO meters! Even into the "yellow", where available - say on a Mackie mixer).

Of course, whe the meters say OK and your ears say NO-K, your ears win. If it sounds "wrong" something's wrong(Or maybe you need an ear-cleaning?), but, don't proceed until everything sounds "right" - no noise - no distortion.

Do ALL level setting(NO PEAKS!) before you hit the record button. To try to adjust levels(Downward) later, once they are already distorted, is, ahh, tricky.....

The right levels are, pretty much, the hardest thing to get right... Keep at it.

TG

Yes levels are hard but for the past few days ive gathered a lot from people and day by day the quality is better and better. I have a new sound card and have dropped my software levels to zero. Ive been krankin the Pod output and adjusting my volume with the Channel volume. Everything is much better but I was told to use the USB from POD to computer to help me even further. One guy said it sounded like I was using my Mic input and I am. apparently thats not what I want. So day by day!

McCheese wrote: Track and Master volumes in the software should be at unity (0).

The POD master volume should be the final adjustment to the input. If you RTFM, you'll see that it should be on max.

If you're trying to get a clean sound, you may want to try backing off the guitar volume a tad too, depending on the pickup.

Going back on your whole "everything at 12" idea now Cheese? I told you that shit wouldn't work. 8.5 is where it's at kiddies.

d00d, 8.5 only uses like half the tonal spectrum of the bitsampler. You'll get nowhere near the optimal resonant frequency with that little throughput.

Oooo! We have different opinions. I kinda agree with cheese, and I base this on nothing. I dont know.

They're bein' goofy. Don't git dragged in. Besides, everyone knows 9; and only 10 or 11 for special occasions.

Don't ever, ever use the mic input on a Soundblaster-type consumer card. Not even with a mic, and especially not with a line level device. For mics, get an outboard preamp or mixer, and go out of it into your card line input.