Need help

[y-kause]

Ok i been learning on mixing vocals and been doing a pretty good job of it so far. I ALWAYS can find something to fix in the mix. i find my vocals aren't as up front as they should be. i don;t use too much reverb and i use a compression of 5:1 no gain threshold 10. i have waves plug ins i use for the eq and yet still doesn't match the quality i hear in some other rap songs????

i guess my question is DO I NEED A PRE AMP? to boost my vocals?

sample http://www.mocospace.com/y-kause THIS LIFE 1st track

 

[ido1957]

What kind of mic/interface/computer/recording software are you using?

 

[y-kause]

toshiba satellite adobe audition 3 m-audio mobile pre amp samson co1 mic plug in's waves and izotope ozone 4