Recording takes time: get enough rest
When you know you’re going to record, you need to get enough rest. Recording a song means you are putting your voice on a track that will last forever, so you want it to be amazing right?
Be prepared
Learn your material, print your music/lyrics, etc… If you’re not prepared and ready, you’re gonna be wasting time and money at a studio recording. Ideally, learn the songs and lyrics by heart and practice at home!
Determine your space
Some studios are too small to fit everyone in the same room. Determine your space so that you can move comfortably when you sing without bumping into equipment, instruments or the cables. Your space should be as wide as your open arms (figure below).
Practice at home
Of course, you’ve practiced the song at home. But you can also try recording a few tracks just to get a sense of what you want. You can do it on your phone, or even on your computer if you have a standard music software such as Logic Pro, GarageBand, Cubase, etc…
Be open-minded to change and adjustments
Some sound engineers will give you feedback and will ask you to repeat certain things. Sometimes they’ll even suggested an idea or two, so be open-minded to comments and be ready to change things for the greater good.
Record several tracks and pick the ones you prefer
This comes without saying. You’ll record a bunch of tracks then select the ones you like the most. Everyone does that!
Headphones
I use only one side to hear my body and the recording at the same time. But it depends on you. Always ask your sound engineers to include a return of your voice live when you are singing. This way, you can hear the recording live plus your own body.
Don’t worry if the overall quality of the sound is not perfect yet
The sound is not treated yet, so don’t be too hard on yourself. Once the tracks are done and you’ve mixed and mastered the song, the quality of the voice is heightened.