pneumatology

I don't know what to do here. It doesn't seem too much to ask. All I wanted to do was record myself playing my acoustic guitar and singing, I've even come to not mind a certain degree of backgroundy dullness to the sound (on the guitar) its still better than audio tape, but why oh why can it not take my vocals? I might not be the best singer and it is a bit of a mix of growls and shrieks and some normal singing, but it just seems even loud normal singing won't have it. I've repositioned myself away from the mike in multiple ways but no good. Any such clues? Would a better mike solve it and where could I get the thing I need?

Oh dear I don't think i know what i'm doing. I'm very new to this business and I cannot understand how to get a louder recording out of my MD (MZ-N710). . Flipping through the menus I cannot for the life of me see where the record level bit is and the recording seem soooo quiet as it stands (of me and my acoustic guitar). Is that because it (I) it(my)self might need miking up or is there a setting or a better mike or wha...? Any such answers. P