checked, checked and rechecked again. all pins are exactly where they should be. Different boards etc.
As I said, the audio card works perfectly without the arduino.
Gotta give up on this. Ive wired complicated circuits a million times successfully. This only requires 4 lousy wires.
I may have shown lack of knowledge and some ignorance with this project but im not that stupid.
And based on so many others past input in not having much better luck, apparently I'm not alone.
Thanks for your time.