Cheap mic - not loud enough!
 

Bought a cheap $20 handheld vocal mic, and I plugged it into my computer, and checked that all the levels were all the way up, and the level sounds fine when just back live through my headphones, but when I try to record with Cool Edit Pro or even Vegas 4, the level isn't loud enough, i'd have to boost it like 15dB to even get it to a normal level. I have the recording level all the way up and everything. Whats the deal? Anyone know?

Thanks.

Check to see if there is a line level/mic level switch someplace in the software chain. Try the mic level setting.

Yeah, I had all the levels and the booster for the sound card up and on, but it wasnt being recorded like that, a driver update fixed it.