The reason I was a bit irritated was because of the statement that this issue was "solved," that it was just me not knowing how to turn the volume down when recording - when clearly I said that I was recording with the volume on the interface at a very low level.  
 
I really do appreciate everyone's suggestions.   But that statement seemed a little condescending to me when I read it.   I'm sure he didn't mean it that way - which is why I apologized.
 

robert_e_bone
Again sorry to seem silly - any red numeric values showing after playback at the bottom of the guitar track or any bus you send guitar signal to, or the master bus?  Anything over 0 is bad, and will show up in red.
 
You can check for clipping from the beginning of the signal flow forward, until you find the point that it is introduced, or track the signal flow backward.  
 
Bob Bone

Bob, nothing red shows up in playback.   Everything looks fine.  It's just the sound of the overdriven guitar.   If I record guitar clean it sounds fine.    This is very odd...
 
Thanks!
Greg

Cactus Music
Everything checks out fine when I record, but the guitar doesn't sound good in playback." 
 
The above statement say's it all. 
It was recommended a way, way back you check with headphones, Audio interfaces have direct monitoring so we can hear what is happening as we record. My guess is you will hear the distortion in your headphones while monitoring your guitar. If not, like I said, your interface A/D IS fkd. Or the drivers? 

I will be recording today  (wasn't able to over the weekend).  I've made a list of things people have told me and am going to try them out and check everything off the list.
Thanks!
Greg

I am almost sure I posted on this topic this morning >.<
Oh well here it goes again.

It sounds to me like the audio is being distorted when picked up by the mic, this could be caused by having the mic's too close to the speaker. If you put the mic too close it may be so sensitive that it distorts the sound or artificially changes the sound that is being recorded in without it showing on the meter's.
I would try an SM57 if you are going to close mic, or use the mics you have and try backing them off a little and see if that helps.

I appreciate everyone's help.   But I'm at a loss and am going to step back, clear my head for a while, then approach this again at some later time.    It's just too frustrating right now.
 
Again, thanks! 
Greg

jungfriend
Hi Greg54,
What are you using to add overdrive to your guitar tone?
Have you tried running the signal direct into your Roland Quad Capture instead of using a miced amp, and then adding overdrive to the recorded tone?
Several people have tried to tell you that the problem might be in the front end of your signal chain. This will help you troubleshoot the problem. Give it a try and see what happens.
 
Paul

Hi Paul -
 
I was running my guitar into the amp with no pedals, using only the amp's OD.   So I decided to use a POD today and go direct into the interface.    I also turned on the Auto Sens on the Quad Capture to see what that would do, and it caused my signal to overload, even though my volume was set lower on the interface.   Isn't the Auto Sens supposed to keep that from happening?
 
Anyway, the OD with the POD direct was the same as with my amp.   So the issue is not my guitar amp.
 
Thanks!
Greg
 

The only problem is that I used to be able to record my amp with no issues whatsoever - or even record with the POD.    I don't like the choices given me for plug-ins with overdrive, as I like the Dumble tone.
 
I don't see why I would have to give up recording with my amp.   There has to be a solution somewhere, as people do record amps.  
 
I may have to get another interface.
 
Thanks!
Greg
 
 

Thanks for at least replying to everyone, You would be surprised how many people come here for help and don't. Sorry this is driving you nuts.. I bet I wouldn't be an issue if you were using a 16 Track Reel To Reel and a cheap mixing board. This modern equipment was designed to frustrate the most technically savvy person and always be on the edge of failure. The price we pay for accessible, inexpensive recording gear.  
Reading your posts I'm starting to lean towards the software that goes with the interface.. This so called "auto sens". So are there any other quad capture people out there? we need to hear your opinions. 

thomasabarnes:   I've used 2 different mics and have tried positioning them in different places.  Nothing has helped.
 
Cactus Music:   I like things simple, and this stuff certainly isn't simple - not for me, anyway. 
And I try to answer everyone because I asked for help - and I appreciate it when someone offers.   :)
 
thebiglongy:  I saw a video on how to position the Sennheiser e906.   It said to lay the mic right on the front of the cab.  I actually put it about an inch or so away.   It doesn't help (near, far, makes no difference).
 
Thanks!
Greg

dwardzala:    Right now I'm recording very simply.   I am using no effects or buses.   I put those in when I mix and master.    Plug-ins are Toontrack EZKeys and some keyboards that came with Sonar X1.
 
jungfriend:  "You record a clean, dry, direct signal into your DAW, then you send the recorded signal into an amp and bring it back into the DAW on another track."   
Although I've been recording for a few years, I have not gotten into a lot of techniques.   So this is above my head. 
 
I have tried Auto Sens, and mettelus just explained to me how it's supposed to work.   I guess I was doing it all wrong.  However, I would pretty much bet that it's not going to solve the problem.
 
mettelus:  Thanks for explaining that to me about the Auto Sens.   :)
I have had this interface for about a year.   This is a new issue.   It didn't use to do this.  So I'm baffled.
 
Thanks!
Greg
 
 

A few thoughts.

If you get the same unwanted distortion from a POD as from a recording of your amp and speaker and using a different guitar makes no difference either, that would seem to mean that the problem has to lie with either the interface or the cables used.

When recording with the POD how were you monitoring yourself playing?

If you didn't monitor using Sonar's track echo could I suggest you try that and see if it makes a difference or if that has the distortion?

Overdriven guitar has more and different harmonics to a clean sound. Can EQ be used to filter out the offending frequencies?

Hi Greg,
In digital recording it is often preferred to record a clean, dry, direct signal even if you already know the tone you want from the very start of recording. Many people like to experiment with different tones and effects after the recording is done, and if you record your signal with overdrive then you are married to that tone throughout the mixing process. That is not the solution to your problem, but merely an observation that comes from experience.
 
Most of us have VST plugins like Native Instruments Guitar Rig and we just plug straight into our interface (if you have a hi-Z Input, and the Octa Capture does), add a VST plugin, dial up a tone for recording purposes and play away. Only the guitar gets recorded, and then you have a basic tone which you can embellish with processing and effects afterward.
 
Now that I have mentioned hi-Z input the thought occurs to me that there might also be an impedance mismatch that is contributing to the distortion. That shouldn't be a problem if you are just running microphones into pre-amp inputs. Pre-amp inputs will have input level adjustments, sometimes they will have pads, and sometimes they have phantom power. All of these need to be set properly to get good results. A typical starting place will be phantom power off, input level at zero, and no pad engaged. Check the settings on the microphone pre-amp inputs.
 
Okay, I just took a look at the Octa Capture. Make sure the 48v button is not engaged. That is the phantom power indicator, usually not necessary with the kind of dynamic mics you would use to record a guitar amplifier. Use either input 3 or input 4. These are for microphones, not for instruments. Make sure you move the input cursor over to the input 3 or 4 (whichever you are using), and adjust the input level. I would start all the way down and increase gradually. Monitor the input with headphones. Set the headphone level at 12 o'clock. That should be sufficient to hear without blowing out your ears. If you get a good sound through the headphones, the problem is not your interface.
 
This process of elimination will help you narrow down the problem.
 
Hope that helps,
Paul 

I went ahead and ordered a new interface.   If it's not the interface, then I can send the new one back and put that issue to rest - and go from there.
 
Thanks!
Greg

Not reading three pages of buffers and interfaces and latency, and who knows what other misdirection.
 
Everything records fine till guitar w gain. Not latency, not CPU, not buffers, not audio interface, not interstellar gravity waves, or even the polar vortex, CLEARLY, the problem MOST LIKELY resides with the audio chain for the overdriven guitar. Schroedinger's Cat says most likely at ONE location in the chain.
 
Work it. Top to bottom. Is it the same guitar that records clean when clean? Same stomp boxes? Same preamp? Same main amp? Same mic or DI box? Same outboard? Comps, EQ, verb delay? ( look to any attack settings on your compressors if used, try slowing the attack) same inputs on Sonar tracks. same bus structure, same FX in the bin?
 
Where can you meter the signal, and more importantly, where, at what potential gain stages are you NOT able to meter? I will guess that one of these areas is where your problem lies, because red on the meters suggest blood, which we are tuned to for aeons, and you'd have noticed it.
 
So you are going to have to get creative, and forensic.
 
Break off pieces of the chain, bypass them, bring the guitar closer, wiring wise, to the hard drive write heads. Keep shortening the signal path till the distortion goes away, and note which was the last device or segment of signal chain removed just before the distortion went away.
 
You'll find it. IF and ONLY IF you approach this with a clear head, a notepad, a clear plan, and you follow that plan start to finish before going off on any wild goose chases. Resolute discipline. Quiet surroundings. No time pressure.
 
WHEN you get it right, your confidence will increase to allow methodical solutions to other problems in the future.
 
Keep in mind...this is a big part of what recording is all about. Anyone can press the red dot. Anyone can plug A into B and get something on tape. Most will live with any and all compromises inherent in the simple system. Engineers, Producers, and Artists, successful ones anyway, are all about negating or removing those compromises, which usually adds complexity to the system, which requires discipline and orderly approaches to resolve.
 
Enjoy the process, and take no prisoners! Victory or death!

Something I forgot to mention.   Someone posted something (I looked for it but couldn't find it) that said to check the recorded clip to see if the top of where it distorts was cut off.
It is cut off.     What would this mean?
 
Thanks!
Greg