so right off the bat, i admit that i am not particularly adept with either computers or music. still, i endeavor to record on my g4, so laugh if you will, but please help if you can.

i am going the cheap route, because i am cheap (duh). i have downloaded audacity, which seems to be all i need anyway. i also have an old mac mic for an input. that's my setup. it's not like i'm writing operas here.

the problem is i can't seem to record. as in, i get no sound. the preferences panel for audacity does not give me the option of selecting the mic; it's set for the default "built in audio controller" - - what that means, i don't know, as the documentation for audacity is not particularly helpful.

i just want to be able to record some simple melodies and some chords on top. how do i get the sound from my instrument into the g4? can someone please tell me what i am doing wrong?

Go to your system preferences and select sound. Then go to inputs and see if the microphone is chosen.
I hope I was able to help.

"line in" is my only choice in system preferences. and the audio line in port on the back of the g4 is what i have the mic plugged into.

so it would seem that everything is okay there, right?

Yeah... it seems to be alright.
You could try to disconnect the mic and use the built-in mic. (there's one built-in right?)

there does not appear to be any such thing on my g4.