In this order:
1. Mix in mono to get the balance right overall; use just the faders to get levels onthe ball park. Then pan to taste;
2. Corrective EQ usually cutting filters rather than boosting. Complimentary EQ helps but Solo each signal and try and hear what EQ is doing to the source signal first
3. EQ before dynamics if you’re inserting plug-ins on the track rather than on an aux return/fx return
4. Compression of 1.5:1 ratio will add just a hint of presence; try not to go higher than 3.5:1 on the vocal track compression
5. Any reverb or oter spatial effects should be applied on an aux track, and send the vocal through a send so you don’t muddy up the input audio track.
5. Monitor at different listening levels to hear how the overall mix translates when played soft and loud. Wiki “Fletcher-Munson Equal loudness contours”
6. Preamps can warm up or add tone to a signal, but are often costly, over $500 for decent ones such as a Focusrite.
BLUE Snoball is decent for demos but lacks dynamic range; I don’t know if the jne I have is busted but it seems like a really flat and lifeless sound to it. Make sure you’re not plugging it in through a hub or that other peripherals are plugged into the same bus, as other devices can introduce noise and line interference (Radio Frequency interference from poor shielding for example). That mic is an all-in-one so no way to use it with an external preamplifier anyway.
Mics and tone are highly subjective and it really depends on the style of music, the sound/tone of the vocals, and the effects of the room. Try and record as dry as possible, and with a pop filter.