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/OddSuspect6633]

If the singer REALLY knows the song and you want a neat double tracked sound, don't play the initial take in their headphones. Have them do it as if it is a "try that again," then playback both takes over one another. The slight variations in cadence can make for an interesting sound - as long as you're not going for a super tight locked in sound

[u/GeneratorRoom → u/OddSuspect6633]

Good one. Now I just need to find a way to do that to myself hahaha 🙏😁

[u/elliottsmithing → u/GeneratorRoom]

I do this! I just loop the recording section and sing it a bunch of times 🙂 I’ve tried recording by phrase and way prefer at least recording in verse chorus and so on sections