So glad to see you back making content brother :)
This is advice I am in need of and lucky for me you came along with the answers. I just bought a new microphone and have be playing around with it trying to get use to it's settings and what not. I love how you describe it as an instrument and it is just as important to be proficient with it use as the guitar you are playing or song you are singing. Will definitely be implementing these techniques now. Cheers!