no problem about the two questions. everything takes experience
I hear the hiss - it's pretty bad. so if you hear the hiss as soon as you use the mixer, then why are you using the mixer?
realistic = radio shack =
do you have all of your instruments connected to the mixer and that's why you need the mixer?
the first thing I would do is make sure the only thing connected to the mixer is the microphone. do you have only 1 mic input on the mixer? try other inputs.
I would also try other mics - even if you get 'better sound' from this one - if it's the cause of your hiss, then it's not 'better sound'!
if you need several inputs, you have several options if your mixer is causing the problem. first option, of course, buy a new mixer (not from radio shack!)
second option would be to upgrade your sound card to one which will accomodate all of your inputs. of course, MC3 only allows simultaneous recording on 2 tracks, so if you need to record more than 2 inputs at the same time, then you'd need to upgrade your recording software to (Sonar Home studio 4 is what I use).
a new sound card will give you a much better sound than what you're getting now, too.
your hiss is very likely something in your signal chain - and you have to elimiate that component or possibly an incorrect gain stage in your signal chain in order to illiminate the hiss.
I'd be happy to talk to you more about this in a less public venue if you wish. send me an email thru the link on this forum and I'll reply. I am currently in the process of just NOW starting a ministry very similar to yours, but I've started out with recording BEFORE I've put the whole team together. And you're not very far from me (in perspective to most of the guys in this group! - only a 4 hour drive - not that I'm ready to drive that far!
)