Thanks for the update, turretboard.
There are definitely several ways to reduce the noise by adjusting the settings. In addition to the ones you mention, turning the Rec Drive up gradually reduces the noise, as does turning the Filter up toward +5.
As you noted, though, these “fixes” don’t really address the root problem. They simply mask the hissing noise or minimize any exacerbating factors related to gain. And, of course, all of these “fixes” dramatically reduce the range of useable sounds that one can get out of Head Space.
