So what do you guys do for live recorded vocals?
When you EQ what do you cut and where do you boost?
When you compress what are your settings, whats usually best?
Any multiband?
Any other sort of exciter?
Only asking because I'll be recording somebody live for the first time, usually in my track i just use samples. Any help is appreciated thank you very much...
I'll be recording someone who is very soulful, R&Bish kind of style.....

 

A lot has to do with your gain staging. Make sure the loudest peak of the persons vocals are not being louder than -10 DB if it goes a little over that will be okay as 0 DB is where clipping occurs. Recording where peaks are around -10 db is my personal sweet-spot in digital recording and always delivers crystal clear results.

As for EQ/Compressors and other effects, that will depend on how well you captured the vocal and how well the vocalist stayed true to dynamic range. Try to sweep high pass and low pass filters so that you are cutting the low end just before you can hear its effect and the same for the low end. Go ahead and cut out some mud as well and go with a subtle compressor if needed. Make sure it has high knee and a relatively low ratio.

At the end of the day, a proper gain stage and performance will leave very little processing. In order fit that vocal into the rest of a mix you will then need to use critical thinking/listening skills to see what it is you need to do to get the vocal to gel.

Good luck!