I would suggest that you record with no effects, just the mic into the preamp. Get the best sound you can that way and then add effects if needed. If I misread your post and you have already done that, I apologize, but you have to start with a well-recorded un-processed sound.
hey hottsauce, if you can shell out a few bucks for the gas and whatnot...I could come down to your place and help you hook everything up professionally and help you figure out these issues in person. Email me at fuzzywallz@yahoo.com
yea thats what everyone keeps tellin me, they told me to get a ehco layla or somethin like that, under $200. Or is there a better audio card to record to?