clean tracked vocals then add saturation

[Karmamechanic 1]

Thinking about trying this on the next project. Cleanest possible vocal tracking I have access to, like Neumann TL103 through Grade Design M101, then dirty them up as needed with tape and tube emulations. Any experiences or advice with this strategy? Or will I end up disappointed because there's nothing like real analog saturation? Thanks. 

[bitflipper 1,712]

That's how I do it. Always. That's really the key to recording most things: you can do anything with a clean recording, including changing your mind later.

As to "real" vs. digital saturation - yes, it's an emulation and if you'd spent 40 years recording analog tape before moving to digital you'd be able to tell the difference. Nobody else will.

[Alan Tubbs 48]

I prefer to add a little hair from the get-go.  Not distortion but some nice transformer coupled saturation but not too much.  Same way with dynamic control.  Shave off a few hard hitting dBs that firms up the sound.  Then add more if necessary in the box.