A successful recording session requires adequate preparation and familiarity with the material at hand. In an interview with "VoiceCouncil" magazine, singer and vocal coach Kim Chandler explains that quality vocal sessions are best attained by singers who have comfortably memorized the words to the songs they intend to record. In addition to that, she goes on to suggest that singers should spend sufficient time to warm up at the beginning of the recording session.
The recording experience differs from live performance in the selection of microphones, as studio microphones carry a greater vocal sensitivity. With that in mind, the School of Audio Engineering (SAE) recommends that singers initially sing into a row of available studio mics to find the best one. From there, they can apply additional wisdom from Kim Chandler by standing close to the mic for a quieter sound or further away for a stronger volume.
While recording a song, using headphones allows a singer to hear the musical tempo and melody to sing their vocals. To make the most of headphones for his purpose, SAE notes that singers should use stereo headphones that have been properly balanced. In addition, the headphones should allow the singer to hear their own singing voice along with any recording effects.
Recording a song is not a quick and easy experience, so singers should expect to do several takes in the studio. With that in mind, Kim Chandler recommends that they keep their energy and concentration levels at a high level throughout the session. A recommendation to keep energy and inspiration high for a singer is to have a small audience observing the recording process.