How to get a clean distortion when recording on computer?

[Incinerator Drone]

Here is what I have right now...

Epiphone Les Paul
into
Danelectro distortion (sounds great on my amps)
into
Presonus pre-amp
into
M-Audio external sound card
into
Cool Edit Pro

I have all the levels set so it barely goes into the red when I'm playing heavy. And it sounds like ass. I have no idea how to get a good distortion recorded. It is making me sad.

Any hints? Tips? Techniques? ANYTHING?

[Geoffrey Taucer]

What you need is some manner of cabinet emulation.

Sixto has some good tips on this: http://www.ocremix.org/forums/showthread.php?t=14222

[Incinerator Drone]

Hmmm.

I'm pretty much downloading everything on that page now. I really don't have any idea how to use the stuff though. Very confused.