Getting started...having problems

[MrScarface45]

Ugh...it's been a long day so I'll try not to rant.

First of all...here are my relevant specs:

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
NVIDIA 8800GTS 640
Gigabyte P35 Mobo
HT Omega Striker 7.1 Sound Card
Vista Home Premium 64 Bit
4GB RAM
2 x 250GB HDD

So I shouldn't have any hardware limitations

I'm using SONAR Home Studio 6...and have been fighting with the damn thing all day. I have almost everything resolved...except a few problems.

I would tell you what kind of mic I'm using if I knew.

I'm left with only three problems, they are:

1. The mic is really really quiet...I don't think it's the mic, because when I plug it into my guitar amp it's fine.

2. I'm getting a lot of static...more static than sound...this may have something to do with my PSU (Antec Tru Power Trio 600W)...but I have no idea.

3. I can't get SONAR to put all the sound into headphones...it insists on using the sound cards SPDIF output.

Can anyone help me?