Plug the microphone into a small mixer or microphone preamplifier. If you are using a studio-quality microphone, you may need to turn the phantom power on before recording. Phantom power is a simple 48-volt power boost that will allow the microphone to pass audible signal.
Adjust any equalization settings on the mixer and set the volume on the mixer or microphone preamplifier to an appropriate level. Try to balance the output volume of the channel where the microphone is plugged in with the stereo output volume evenly for best sound. Make sure the volume is not too loud or it will distort. Alternately, make sure the volume is not so quiet that you do not get enough audio on the CD. This will cause excessive noise when the volume must be turned up very high upon playback.
Connect the stereo output of the mixer or microphone preamplifier to the standalone CD recorder with the appropriate cabling. Most small mixers will have either a stereo 1/4 inch or stereo RCA output, and most standalone CD recorders will have both inputs. In some special cases, you may be required to use a special cable that has 1/4-inch male plugs on one side and RCA plugs on the other.
Set the device to the "record ready" or "standby" position. Have the performers sing or play the material that you want to record on CD.
Make sure the volume on the CD never gets louder than 0 decibels. Anything above 0 decibels will be audible distortion, and it is not a pleasant sound. If the loudest parts of the song go above 0 decibels, reduce the volume on the CD recorder, the input channel of the microphone preamplifier or mixer, or the stereo output of the mixer or preamplifier.
Record the music and listen back. If changes need to be made in equalization or volume level, make the changes and record on a new track. You can always put the best track on a new CD later.