Sony TCD-D8 Distortion, line in, audio buddy

[mblindsey]

Since I'm a little new to this, I'm hoping the forum can validate my
findings. The story:

I have a Sony D8, a pair of MXL 604's, and an M-Audio Audio Buddy
(just bought). I hooked them up for the first time tonight with the
mics as overheads on drums to test that it all would work. On the
first recording, I noticed considerable distortion (I'm using the line
in on the D8 ). So, I experimented a bit with the levels...turning
them almost to zero on the Audio Buddy & below "4" on the D8. This
alleviated most of the distortion with the exception of the low tom
and floor tom. After reading this:

http://www.rockpark.com/d7/8_sensit.txt

...and a few other posts, it looks like I need an attenuator. Will
this do the trick?

http://www.core-sound.com/attenuator-cables/1.php

I guess I should state my purpose. I don't plan on recording drums
this way, but rather plan on putting together a rig to record from the audience in a few weeks (http://www.wakarusa.com).

Thanks

[jake-O.W.A.]

Seems to me that you could easily make a very useful two channel variable attenuator with two three way 10k pots and I/O jacks.

[mblindsey]

I bought a Koss VC20 Headphone Volume control. It seems to do the trick:

http://www.amazon.com/Koss-155954-VC20-Volume-Control/dp/B00001P4XH