Audio Input Troubles

Having trouble getting the OS to recognize the USB 'sound card' input. So looking at some new sound options for the Pi:

• https://www.hifiberry.com/shop/boards/hifiberry-dac-adc/
• https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Sound-Raspberry-Better-Quality/dp/B00MDW602K?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_9&th=1

One is wayyyy cheaper than the other. We'll see, I'm hoping one of these gets inputs working well.  Ideally I could solder in connections to a 1/4" jack for input and output that I could then put into the side of a 'box' for this whole contraption, but that's a step for way down the line after the proof of concept is working. Hopefully.