How come, when I'm finally ready to record, do I make so many mistakes?
 
I mess up take after take, although I wrote the @#$% song myself, and you'd think I'd have a clue about how to play and/or sing it.
 
Then every confusing technical difficulty possible seems to leap into play (and record), causing every bit of inspiration to drain away while I try to figure out what's wrong now so that I can get on with it.
 
Next, I become a nasty old dog who barks at my poor cat who only wanted to help out by swatting my (computer) mouse dead as ... as a dormouse (and stepping on the computer power button in the process)!
 
Finally, I write my tale of woe to the forum instead of sucking it up and getting on with the song like any worthwhile person would do.
 
Sheesh ... and this is more than likely in the wrong forum.
 
This is my tale of woe. Now I have nowhere to go.
 
Except .... Maybe back to try again ... But the General Question remains, Why DO I make so many mistakes when I have done everything I can to be prepared to record?  
 

The same thing happens to me.

We can get anxious when we start recording. That can cause us to do just the opposite of what we should do and can do.  
 
Its the human condition a natural part of human life.  

You're overthinking it. Please come to my "Recording on the Fast Track" seminar if you'll be at this year's Summer NAMM.

Don't think so much.
Create the first song..... then note the mistakes you have done.
Create the second song.... then note the mistakes ..
 
Find the mistakes you are repeating.. Take a print out with font size 36. Paste it on the wall.
 
Create the third song .. you will find the difference.
 
[I did it...]

Anderton
You're overthinking it. Please come to my "Recording on the Fast Track" seminar if you'll be at this year's Summer NAMM.

Will we have the video posted?
Regards
Snehankur

Ha!! sorry Skinnybones. Not laughing at you. Just sympathising. Sometimes, I'll pull off some awesome to die for lead solo and my music loving neighbour will put his head over the fence and say "didya get that down on tape mate?"
Nah is the answer nearly every time. can't seem to pull them off when the big red button is lit...........after 45 years of playing live, you'd think it'd be a piece of cake.
 
I can tell you one thing I've tried that works for me however. Deny yourself the looping and cut and paste for a session. One take only allowed. Take a break, have a coffee or whatever, walk in fresh, and cut your take. Do this until you get it right. For me, it gives some form of mind control that makes me get it right, just as if playing live.
I'm two songs now into a new album using this method, and I've not re-timed or Melodyne'd a single track yet (though the piano tracks are yet to come, and I'm not so good at those). The time saving alone in not having to wade my way through lanes and lanes of takes has been worth it alone. I'm knocking songs out faster than I ever have before. I'm also using a similar method for my vocalists and the results have been fantastic. You just have to find something that works for you.

The dreaded red light syndrome! A very command illness!  Been there - done that - still have it!
 
What I find that helps a lot is to not look at the computer screen while you are recording.  During a count in turn around and just play with the music.  YMMV.
 
 
 

We're human, we make mistakes.  Sometimes those mistakes can become new songs or ideas.  It's what keeps computerized music creative.
 
PS.  Perhaps you forgot to disable the "Enable Human Error" feature in your settings?

Thanks very much to everybody for the really helpful tips and encouragement. I'm planning to try a few of your suggestions when I try recording again later today.
 
Even though my post was written partly in fun, it's great to get a boost when you need it. It makes you realize you're not alone when you struggle with some of these things. Thanks again! :)
 
LJ