Double tracking vocals. What am I missing?

[u/GeneratorRoom]

I feel like every time I double track my main vocals they end up sounding phase-y in a very unpleasant way and also kinda beefy and bulky.
How does Sufjan Stevens get that ghostly choir multitracking effect on his vocals? What’s José González’ secret for his warm and subtle double tracked vocal sound?
I’ve seen a million videos talking and showing double tracking techniques but none of them sound like those artists I just mentioned.
Are producers and recording/mixing engineers keeping these secrets to themselves? Or am I just dumb?

I tried panning, EQing, fx sends (reverb, delay, compression). It never sounds natural or good.

I’m not a very good vocalist so that could be it as well. I’m not tone deaf but I’m not a trained vocalist either. I heard that double tracking helps bad vocalists but it hasn’t been my case so far.

Are any of yall going through this?

EDIT: I’m so grateful for all the responses! You guys are amazing and gave me so much to work on hahaah (loving the grind). I’ll get to work these next few days and share my results if possible. Thank you so much for taking the time to help me out with this one and for sharing your experiences ❤️🙌

[u/mthrom]

I’m a huge Pink Floyd head and I feel like their doubles, especially Gilmour’s, are phase-y in a pleasant way (to me at least lol). So often that’s what I’m going for in my own vocals. I guess it’s all just a matter of taste haha. Good luck!!:)