Recording and mixing a strong vocal track

• 1). Ensure your vocal track is sufficiently loud, but that the level meter on your mixer never "clips", or goes into the red. Clipping causes severe problems in the mix, as it emits an unpleasant noise, which mars the track. If your track clips, delete and re-record it after turning down the gain slightly on your audio interface. If the vocalist's level is very low on your meters, either ask him to stand a little closer to the microphone, or increase the pre-amp gain slightly on your audio interface before re-recording. Instruct the singer not to lean in and out whilst recording, but to maintain the same distance from the mic all the way through the take. Ask the singer to record two or three takes that she is happy with. The best of these is your "lead" take.
  
  
• 2). Set your lead vocal at a volume level at which it is clearly audible, without overly dominating the background instruments. Use your second and/or third-choice takes to "double-up." Introduce them to the mix at a lower level than the main take. At the correct level, your double-takes will thicken the lead vocal, without being readily perceptible to the listener.
  
  
• 3). Altering EQ (equalization) can emphasize the vocal, but should be done conservatively. Cutting the vocal track's bassiest frequencies -- those below 200Hz -- by up to 6dB is recommended, using a high pass filter, or channel EQ unit. This allows you to increase the track's volume without getting a booming sound. A slight boost to the mid-range (3000Hz) and treble (15000Hz) can enliven the vocal. Be moderate with your EQ boost, usually turning it up by no more than 3dB.
  
  
• 4). If turning up the lead vocal makes it too loud at certain points, use a compressor to smooth the track. Compression allows you to turn up the vocal across the board, without certain peaks becoming too loud. If you do not own a compressor, use your software's audio editor to "automate," or manually turn down the volume, at points in the track where the vocal peaks unnecessarily.