It is a problem we have probably all gone through or will go through.

My advice is to limit yourself. Limit your time and your tools. Maybe you don't need a compressor or eq, just a fader. Maybe you don't need a 6 db boost, but a few 0.5 db cuts in other places.
Most of the time the result of overmixing is sharp highs or hollowed out mids. Muffled mixes rather indicate that too many "hardware emulated" plugins were used - or to much reverb - or the wrong reverb.

Practice limitation. It's hard, but you can handle it.

 

Last edited: Sep 18, 2020

Perhaps you're talking about practicing mixing over and over until you improve instead of overmixing?

 

I have found for me the approach of mixing and mastering at the same time does not work well. Top down mixing as it is called hides the need for improvements on individual tracks.

I think mixing then mastering at a different time or day yields much better mixes.

 

I watched mix with the masters tutorial recently with Andy Wallace. I love his mixes, I admire his works. Before the process he mentioned about how his workflow changed over the years. Such as using less process year after year. He completed all mix with 1 console (SSL 9000 k or j i don't remember exact model) 1 outboard bus compressor and 2 short delay and reverbs.


I know using and having bunch of plugins is cool. Lining up them on the insert line is fancy. But real answer is "Do you really need those 4 compressor at all?" I don't think so. I am using this forum to get solid ideas about mixing and mastering stages. It contributed me as hell but one suggested tutorial about eq is really need to mention about and it was just "eq's are regional faders between the frequencies." If you find yourself tweaking so much the eq knobs, probably your problem all about the faders that is all. Try to solve problem riding the fader, re adjusting the volume or automation line.

Same exact thing about compressor too. Automation is really unique tool. All you need is less tools. (Just one exception: Digital neutral-sounding realm makes me break only for analog tape plugins for more analog like sound.)

 

Do not set knobs to eleven

 

Here's a very educational video on mixing. I feel like I've recorded it, because everything this guy says I do, too. Enjoy!