Listen to PapillonIrl. If you are plugging into the Mic in of you computers soundcard, that could be the source of your problem. You need to plug into the Line in socket. If you have a preamp, you might be cliping, or maybe it's old wires you have?
Describe the sound... Are there pops, clicks, or other weird sounds.
Don't try to record through your soundcards mic in!!! the only way to record something serious to your computer is by line in!!! so use only the line in and then it should be fine...and if you wanna have a good sound you have to buy an audio interface and then you can start serious recording...