This is fun!
I have a few ideas for you: field-tested and ready to go!
1. Play the main melody in another instrument (keys, guitar, strings, etc. depending on the instrumentation) -- put it in the mix behind the vocals so the actual melody will come thru even if the singing is off.
2. Others have said this but it bears repeating -- lots of takes. Comp and correct the pitch!
3. Lots of people have problems singing with headphones. Use a handheld SM-58 or other mic -- sing with the monitors on. Rock out. Works for Bono!
4. Waves doubler -- Can add detuning and lots of depth to vocals -- really excellent to disguise out of tune vocals and add popish sheen. I dig it! Alternately, you can go lo-fi -- are tons of options out there to distort and mess up the vocals.
5. Finally (and this is perhaps the most obvious answer) if you are
actually talking about yourself, you have the budget! Hire someone good to make you sound decent! This sort of work is brutal and sort of demoralizing to do on your own voice. Get someone else to produce your tracks. Who knows, maybe you sound okay -- lots of people can't stand their own voice.
Anyway, you can't throw tons of money at a vocal chain and expect that you will all of a sudden sound good. However you can hire someone with perspective to do the hard work for you and turn out a decent sounding track.
