recording guitar - level problems

[Ken Schutte <kschutte@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi,

I've setup a new FC4 system with alsa, jack, etc, and a SB Live card. 
I'm trying to play some guitar thru the line in (eventually into 
sooperlooper, maybe audor, etc).  No matter what I've tried, if I try to 
get any significant volume, it's distorted terribly (not to mention some 
terrible humming - something else I have to look into yet...)

Are there any simple guidelines for getting a nice clean guitar sound? 
Could any one point me in the right direction? or any good references 
out there?

There's seems to be a lot of places to set the levels: guitar, amp, 
alsamixer (capture, line in), but I feel like I've tried it all.  I'd 
like to go thru my amp first, which has a line out and headphone out. 
I'm also willing to invest in some new hardware if that's what it takes.

thanks.