Wow, did this thread go down a weird path.

Far as I understand it once a signal gets past a gate it is live, right? So while the singer is singing 'I looooooove yoooo' (and the gate is open for that period of time) all early reflections are being passed on for that duration along with the dry signal, unless your gate is smarter than mine. Thus the room affects the recording.

Yes you can control a lot of it, but maybe you should experiment a little. Put the mic in a hallway, or a closet, or stairwell. Put the mic right close to the source and move it back a bit. Compare and adjust.

I have discovered that for lead vocals, I know of one hallway that offers all kinds of choices. Lots of early reflections or very little (depending on mic placement/direction and doors opened or closed). One singer needs the bathroom door open, but another sounds better with it closed.
/I just gotta hope nobody goes in there during a take.

I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!