

I can now, get the vocals to sit exactly how I want to in the mix with no compression at all. I can actually make the performer sound like they performed the track better. I can control the dynamics without making the dynamics sound dead.

So, in Samplitude, which interactively shows the wave form change based on the automation curve, I started going through the lead vocal tracks and manually evening out the vocals visually, while playing it back from time to time to make sure it sounds correct. At first I thought vocal rides were mainly a tool to add drama, I didn't realize they were a means to just even out volume envelopes. After demoing Wave Rider (not the one by Waves), I began to realize exactly how people were riding the vocal fader.
