Insert a compressor onto your vocal track. Depending on your particular mixing setup, this process will vary. For instance, you can use a digital compressor plug-in if mixing on a computer, or an analog compressor if mixing outside of a computer.
Set the threshold of the compressor so that it turns on during the loud vocal sections and turns off during the soft vocal sessions. You can do this by setting the threshold so that it is just above the level of the quiet vocal sections. When the vocal signal passes the threshold, the compressor will turn on and begin attenuating the volume. This helps balance the vocal level, allowing you to raise the overall level of the vocal track without actually increasing the peak level of its signal.
Choose a compression ratio to determine how much the vocal track will be compressed. A compression ratio of 2-to-1 allows the volume to increase one decibel for every two decibels the volume level goes over the threshold. A compression ratio of 6-to-1 allows the volume to increase one decibel for every six decibels the volume level goes over the threshold.
Choose an attack and release setting to determine how quickly the compressor turns on and off. A quick attack and release setting allows the compressor to turn on and off quickly after the threshold has been crossed. On the other hand, a slow attack and release setting allows the compressor to turn on and off more slowly after the threshold is crossed.
Set the output gain to make up for any gain lost through compression. If the vocal track is being attenuated by six decibels at its loudest point, increase the output volume by six decibels to make up for this.
Insert an equalizer onto your vocal track. Depending on your particular mixing setup, this processor will vary. As with the compressor, you can use a digital equalizer plug-in if mixing on a computer, or an analog equalizer if mixing outside of a computer.
Cut the equalizer around 200 Hz if the vocal track sounds muddy.
Boost the equalizer around three KHz to add clarity to the vocal track. Alternatively, cut the equalizer about three Khz to make the vocal track sound more breathy.
Boost the equalizer around five Khz to add presence to the vocal track.
Boost the equalizer above 10 to 15 KHz to add an "airy" quality to the vocal track.