Basic alsa operation

[earthshaker]

Ok, I just installed mint12 lask weekend, I have audio, both sound cards have been found, Life is good...so I thought.
Ther are so many options is alsa I don't know where to start. I want to record from the line input on one soundcard, the levels are so low it is not really usable, and the line input is controlled by the PCM slider?
Moving on to sound card #2, line level is controlled by the line slider good.
But there is no master slider (stereo) option available, mono yes.
This is on the playback tab, on the record tab there is only one slider that is labeled capture, it doesn't appear to do anything.
Where can find out how to make it all work, like it is supposed to?
I have alsa and pulse installed could there be a conflict?
If there is which audio app is the better of the two?
This is me very confused.
Any input will be appreciated.
Thanks