Explanation: When you're technically set up, you are to do the most important track-the lead vocal.
Frank Sinatra was known as the " one take wonder." Not everybody is Frank Sinatra, so here's my method for getting the most out of your vocals. This approach to how to record vocals combines a realistic appraisal of the endurance of the human voice, together with the psychology of singing under some pressure. Keep in mind that the human voice uses muscles that get tired. It's important to warm up vocally before you sing, and to pace yourself as you go. Take rests, meditate, drink, whenever you need after long periods of singing.
After you've warmed up, go and record a track all the way through. Only stop if you forget your lyrics or go completely off. Then listen to the track and write notes as to the sections that need to be corrected. If most of the track is good, go and correct those sections. This will be your safe track, where all the notes and words are sung correctly.
Next, do your first " go for it" track. Performance is more important than just music. You have to feel your song, and be free to go wherever your heart takes you. It could be intimate, joyful, angry, determined, anything. This track is about your experience of the song as a story. Again, only correct things that are completely off.
Now do another " go for it" track. You can try some new interpretations here, or intensify or downplay the interpretations on your first take. When that's done, you will have three different tracks. From these, you will create the best vocal performance.
After doing your to " go for it" tracks, you may feel ready to go and rerecord your safe track. I'd urge you not to, but rather do a fourth take if you must. That's a safe way for how to record vocals.
Next 7. Comp your lead vocal.