but I still am beffuddled as to why it would distort even when it isn't actually LOUD.
"loud" is relative... while it may not have been loud to you it was excessively loud for your pre
Well, when I uploaded it to the puter it's clear that the levels are incredibly low (it's barely audible and needs at least +12 gain to be at any kind of "normal" playback level), it's just distorting regardless.
yep. you are overloading the input on your mic pre... it doesn't matter what you think of the levels. it matters what the incoming levels are in relation to what the mic pre can take.
I phrased myself badly - you are indeed right that the only opinion that matters is the equipment's! What I meant was A. taht the JB3 wasn't showing any meter levels crunching, B that although I had the sensitivity selection too high (live and learn) the level knob was way down and C on uploading to the 'puter, the level was VERY low - it's barely audible.
Greenone, thanks agaia - yes, I know what i need to do for next time, I"m just trying to understand the phenomenon as well as i can. The 'tech" aspect of this is all SO new to me and I feel like I am SO ignorant that I'm at least trying to learn from my mistakes!