my recordings sound tinny ilike its in a metel tube
We can’t go anywhere with that. Not enough information.
Start with which Audacity (all three numbers) and which Windows.
http://www.kozco.com/tech/audacity/Documents/PostingQuestions3.pdf
Koz
We know which Windows - we now require this on registration.
I changed your username to joeac, so that it does not contain your e-mail address. It is a terrible idea to use your e-mail address because nasty spambots will see your address then send you spam. Please log in with your new username joeac with the same password as before.
This link might help: http://manual.audacityteam.org/o/man/faq_recording_troubleshooting.html#enhancements. If not please give us your Audacity version and the other details requested by Koz.
Gale