need help getting sound. major troubles.

[Rain_dog_lima]

I'm new to recording through line in. I'm using a DMP3 mic preamp, a sound blaster card and Adobe Audition. I have tried both a Shure SM57 and a Studio Projects B1 mic with no luck as of yet. I can get very low sound with my Shure SM57 only when I turn the gain up entirely and boost the db of the Adobe track up max. I have been trying to use my 1/4 inch cable that used to connect my guitar stack to its head. The adapter into my sound card has both black lines for stereo but I just noticed the thick 1/4th inch cable from the preamp only has 1 black line...must be mono? Will this keep me from getting sound? I'm also only using Channel A at this time until I get my new sound card. didn't think id have to use both A & B at the same time for the preamp to work since it's a dual mic preamp. Any ideas? Also, the problem isnt the line in settings I dont think. I have it all the way up in control panel and set to record. I'm beyond frustrated and hope it isnt a major problem with anything. Thanks

 

[tourettes5139]

First off, don't use a speaker cable. You need to use a regular cable, (a guitar cable would even work). Get a cable that goes from dual 1/4" ends (with one little black line, like a guitar cable) to a stereo 1/8" (aka minijack, like headphones). Depending on your specific soundcard, you may have 1/4" inputs, but I'd be willing to bet that they are 1/8", because it is a soundblaster. Then plug the quarter inch ends into each output of the DMP3. Then plug the 1/8" end into the soundblaster. That should do it. No, you don't have to use both of the channels at the same time. If you have any other questions, just ask.