Mixing Vocals

[AB69]

I'm here wondering if some of you would be willing to share with me your general or specific mixing tips for vocals.

I also have a specific question regarding the volume automation of vocals.

Lets say I have an acapella piece where the volume varies throughout the singing, where the volume differences are too high for a compressor to control. What I mean by that is one second the acapella is at say -20 db, literally the next second it could rise to -10db. I know compression is used to balance the peaks/volume, but I think the volume difference is too much for a compressor. Would I have to manually automate the volume by hand in this case?

Finally, i'm wondering what effects/delays/reverb is applied for the vocals in these 2 tracks:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpze6wqizGs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjUg2rrExno

In the 2nd track, there seems to be some white noise or vocal pad stab made from the vocals itself. How would I make such a vocal atmosphere effect?

Thanks for any help.

[Kinh]

Id just experiment with reverb. Its not white noise or pad, its heavy reverb that's sidechained. Sounds like they're freezing it at different points to get a dissonant background noise instead of following the vocal through.

Sidechain it to the kick or even the vocal itself.

[Keith99]

Actually a lot of engineers will handle large changes via automation. It takes a while but ultimately is better

[AB69]

Any tips on getting the delay effects and the little licks of delays/echos after some phrases? Particularly in the Lost vocal track.

Thank you.