Hello Scott and Dreamer,
I have never found a problem with the inputs on the live drive. As I said I can record the keyboard with no problem on any of the connections....ie aux 2 or stereo L+R in and indeed have to turn the front panel gain knob right down. Very clear recordings are possible on either connection. It is just vocals. I can get a loud enough signal that is no problem but the quality is atrocious...like I am at the bottom of a well with my head wrapped in tissue paper! (just like a dream I had but that's a different forum )

Dreamer
Have you tried when recording... bringing up creative recorder and creative mixer? There are record levels on there as well as general volume settings. I know that I have to tweak them EVERY time I start a new project. The windows sound controller needs to be checked so that Aux 2 or the like is enabled but I do all the controlling from creatives own software. Hope this helps.
ttfn
Tony