I should state that I don't know nuffink when it comes to Linux. :-(

When you say "nothing kicks in to set them up for audio use" what would one normally expect to use?

Would Gstreamer be able to record from the usb sound card mic socket without additional drivers?

If one does a "alsamixer -c 0" it seems to list quite a few levels. I wish I knew what they all were. Are some of them devices that can be recorded from?? Would that allow me to use the red and white connectors on my video-out cable to record as line-in?

Oh blimey, I'm well out of my depth.

Thanks.