How to Double-Track Vocals and Ad-Libs

Double-tracking

Record the lead, then the same line again with the same energy.
Nudge the start of words so both takes land together. Tight timing sounds big; loose timing sounds like a mistake.
Pan two doubles a little left and right, and set them several dB below the lead.
High-pass the doubles higher than the lead so the low end stays clear.

Ad-libs

Record ad-libs at a different tone from the lead. Place them in the spaces at the end of lines. Filter them, and add more reverb than the lead, so they sit behind it.

Limits

Too many layers make a mix muddy. Add them for the chorus first, and only keep layers that you can hear improving the part.

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Frequently asked questions

Should doubles be exactly the same?

No. Close, but not identical. The small differences give the thicker sound.

How loud should doubles be?

A few dB below the lead. Raise them until you notice them, then lower them a little.

Do ad-libs need pitch correction?

Only if they are clearly out of tune. Many ad-libs sound better a bit loose.