Connect the female end of an XLR cable to your microphone.
Connect the other end of the cable to an audio interface. An audio interface is an input device that converts audio into data, enabling you to record music direct to your computer.
Connect the audio interface to your computer using either a USB or FireWire cable, depending on the make and model of the interface.
Double-click the desktop icon to launch a digital audio workstation such as Audacity, Mixcraft or Pro Tools. This is a computer program containing the recording interface that lets you make music on your computer.
Open the "File" menu and select a new session. The exact command varies slightly between programs, but it's typically either "New," "New Project" or "New Session."
Open the "File" menu again and create a new audio track. Click "New Audio Track." This opens a mixer channel and assigns the audio interface to that mixer channel for recording.
Audition the microphone. Sing into it at the level you intend to record. If the volume units meter on the mixer channel flashes, the microphone signal is too strong and will distort on recording. Mitigate this by turning down the "Gain" dial on the front of the interface.
Connect a pair of headphones to the "Headphones" jack on the interface. This enables you to hear your voice as it sounds via the microphone.
Hit "Record" and deliver your first take. Once finished, play it back. If you want to record a second take, open a second audio channel. After a few takes, select the best and delete the rest.
Open the "Effects" menu and select "Compression." This effect tempers the dynamics of a recording to reduce the spikes in volume for a smoother sound. Adjust the "Threshold" dial to determine the volume at which the compressor effect kicks in. Set it high for a light, subtle effect or set it low for an intense sound.
Open the "Effects" menu again and select "Reverb." This effect adds ambiance to a recording. Tweak the "Depth" and "Time" parameters to suit your preference. "Depth" determines the intensity of the reverb and "Time" determines how long the ambiance persists.