Preparing for the studio

There's mainly 2 reasons you're recording- either you're just trying to get an idea down so you don't forget it, or you're documenting as best as possible a completed idea. If it's the latter, you should really be rehearsed. Know the part you're recording, know the lyrics, know the phrasing, know the pitches, know the dynamics, everything. You should be really well-rehearsed, if for no other reason than it will save you a ton of money! Then again, if you're just coming in to get a couple of ideas down to tape, then don't stress too much about mistakes.

But there is some serious validity to diminishing returns in the studio. The more takes you do, the less likely it is that you'll get it just right. That's not to say that 20 takes later you don't finally land an accurate take, but you most likely won't like it. Or you'll be so relieved that you didn't get it wrong that you'll write it off as being acceptable. But either way, you've compromised your original idea, and the whole reason you're recording! So if you take care of your instrument, make sure you sound your best, and know your part like the back of your hand, recording will be a breeze- and cheap!