Using Garageband For Recording Real Instruments Options

[industrialplaid]

Over the past couple weeks I have been working on recording quite a few songs using my Powerbook G4, Garageband v1.1.something, a shitty SM-57 ripoff vocal mic, the iMic USB device, and a variety of guitars, my voice, and a bass. I understand that the quality of my end-product is going to be severely impaired by my shitty equipment (especially the mic), but my goal is just to record some serviceable versions of my original compositions fully intending to do a much better job at a later date (hopefully with other musicians).

That being said, I'm trying to figure out how I can do the best job I possibly can with what I have. I have two problems right now with the setup I've been using, and I'm not sure how to solve them.

1) The levels are extremely low on my songs even when everything is cranked up to the max (the master volume and the individual track volumes). I have to set my speakers to volume levels twice what I would use for a typical CD to be able to hear my songs at an acceptable level.

2) There is a lot of white-noise on all my tracks, due I assume to the shitty mic I was using.

Is there anything I can do with my current setup to correct these issues? I'd like the songs to be audible and less "noisy". If Garageband isn't capable, can you guys recommend any freeware programs out there that might be?

Thanks.