direct audio recording from microkorg xl

[sandals]

I'm trying to record audio directly from a microkorg xl to a sony icd-ux80 (mp3) recorder. I get noise (humming from headphone out), (hissing from l/r audio out). Can anyone suggest a fix for this? I'm trying to keep it super simple- no desire to midi, no post processing etc- just want to capture/save melody lines for future reference. Additional info - the noise is only audible in the playback of the mp3 device, ie. not from the xl through either headphones or monitor. The audio path (for headphones) is- xl hdphn out through stereo mini plug cable direct to mic in jack of sony ux-80; (for l/r audio) - likewise. I have used a splitter in the path to monitor the audio but it shouldn't matter. I regularly use the ux-80 to record directly from my computer and do not get the noise. Also, ambient noise precludes the use of the ux-80 onboard mic; and finally the cords, power supplies etc, etc. are kept a reasonable distance from the proximity of each other. The signal from the micro xl (eg.- music) is loud and clear- notwithstanding the noise. What am I missing? Thanks...