HTL,

It has been my experience (and a painful learning process) that with some of the real tracks that already have effects (the non DI ones) it is sometimes best to just leave them alone, or you can make them sound metallic or watery real fast.

When I do my OWN parts I EQ them but have learned to be gentle.

I thought the sound was great and had a wonderful dynamic range. Dynamic range is everything. I have a dynamic range meter going all the time when I am mixing (not even to master stage yet) and if I see a certain plug in on a certain track is squashing the dynamic range I take it the heck out.

Perhaps some of the magic of your tune in the robustness of the mix may have something to do with the fact that you left well enough alone and DIDN'T fiddle too much.

But heck, what do I know, I'm just an old peanut butter and banana sandwich eatin' country boy from Memphis with 1000 gold records, long sideburns, a beautiful wife and a Colonel.

Peace out man.

--The King