Originally Posted by David Snyder
Dewey,
Here is what I do, FWIW.

If a song has vocals in it, I assume the vocals are most important and the band comes second.

So to start, I create my own reference track by sending all instruments, everything except the vocals, to an instrument bus, and create a mix of that bus independent of the vocals until I get to point where I like the mix.

Then, with only the vocals tracks (multiple) remaining as a direct send to master, I place the vocals where I think they should be against the bed and work the faders on the vocals accordingly, without touching the instrument bed once it is set.

THEN, after those envelopes on the vocals have been created, I will go BACK to the instruments to see whether I need to move any instrument up or down anywhere in the instrument bed mix, now that the vocals are in.

Doing it this way, I am able to get a vocal them seems to sit "organically" in the mix, while achieving the goal of vocal on top without sounding like they are "two rooms."

David, this is great stuff, brother! I'm printing out the tips you and Floyd gave me and will start training myself to make a better mix of vocals and instruments. Thanks for listening and the great feedback!

Dewey

https://soundcloud.com/dewey-longuski

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