Most Puppy versions use the ALSA system as opposed to OSS. To configure the sound use the SoundWizard and then set level using RetroVol or AlsaMixer.

For advanced sound include routing between program use Jack.

Recording with wavrec command

RetroVol - GUI for sound levels
AlsaMixer - control sound level via commandline app
ALSA - Advanced Linux Sound Architecture
How to see sound hardware configuration
OSS - Open Sound System - alternative sound system
ESound - Audio server
Audio Information
Multimedia Software index

Rui Nuno Capela forum on Qt, Jack and related sound info
Audacity forum
A description of the Linux sound system
Sound Input Level meter 32/64bit PET
Sound Quality is bad thread