My "normalizing" of RTs includes setting the pan at center, and maximizing the volume to 127, removing all reverb. I do this with the little BIAB mixer. This allows me to export the tracks in a neutral state so we can use our own panning, volume settings, and reverb. I also export the tracks as stereo tracks just in case there's something special that was done in the creation of the tracks by PG. I don't want to lose anything. Once the tracks are exported, usually to Reaper, we don't do any other normalizing in the traditional sense as the tracks are usually hot enough. After that it's just mixing, panning, using effects "to taste". The one thing I do that I imagine most engineers would frown upon is to mix with headphones. We do have some nice monitors and I use them as a final audition. But the headphones allow me to be more accurate in my panorama placement of tracks and experiment to get the best sound. You'll probably notice that, rather than being grouped closely to the center, that Brad's three vocal parts are split fairly wide left and right. It's a really fat sound that perks up the ears. I'll also do that with lead instruments like steel and fiddle so they don't conflict with each other. Mixing is a very subjective process. You just have to listen a lot and do what YOU like with the music.

Thanks for listening,
Bob

BIAB 2018 ULTRA
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