sound quality

I have a headset (earphones and mic) that was very cheap. The headphones are good enough for my use but the mic, when recording produces too much crackling.

Are there ways to reduce the crackling?
What programs can i use to clean audio file with after recording?
Any recommended headsets?

thanks

You need to up the recording rate

it's a bit like recording on video
if you set it to Short Play, the playback is fine. If you set it to Long play the quality isn't as good.

Please tell me how to 'up' the record rate
I'm not very familiar with sound stuff on my computer
thanks

I can't rember exactly where it is but on the recording pacake you are using the should be some settings menu where you can change the rate the application records the sound at.