USB Headset volume and mic gain

[Kenneth P. Turvey]

I purchased a new USB headset yesterday since my old one died.  With the 
old one the volume and gain were about right by default, but with this 
one I would like to turn both up a bit.  

Unfortunately I can't seem to find anyway to do it that works.  I tried 
using the alsamixer application, but that doesn't seem to have an effect 
either.  

Also, the headset has a volume control built in.  I would like it to 
work, but it doesn't.  It opens up the volume control, but of course this 
volume control has no affect on the headset.. or anything else for that 
matter. 

I've had a number of difficulties with sound under Ubuntu.  Is this part 
of the system simply fragile? 

Thank you,

-- 
Kenneth P. Turvey <kt-usenet at squeakydolphin.com>