Bugsey,

What you say is true and that's where the skill of mixing comes in. I don't know what genre you play but it is possible to make everything sound good.....

To make everything audible, you have a number of tools. The stereo spread (nobody listens to mono any more so use the stereo field). The EQ as Vic mentioned. The relative volumes of the instruments and vocals and when they occur (guitar fills should not walk on important vocals for instance). Time based effects like reverb and delay which can make something sound front and center or distant and off to one side. And compression which helps make the softer bits audible.

Listen to my best friends in this video as the song builds. You can hear everything as it comes in. This was recorded in a small room in a beach cottage, not in a fancy studio.....it's mostly the skill not the equipment.


Colin

I try to critique as if you mean business.....

http://colinwardmusic.com/

http://rosewoodcreekband.com/