There are a lot of mix engineers that would hate to use a 2 track, (the beat mixed in to a wav file) while mixing songs. However, there are times when you have no other choice. Does that take away from you being a mix engineer? Well, that's a decision for you to make. But here's a few tips on working with 2 tracks.
1. Work on making the beat clear as possible. There can be times when a professional didn't mix the beat, so trying to balance the frequencies can be essential. During this step I would use a multiband compressor. This tool, compresses while it eq. So, if you boost a frequency you can also have it compress, if goes above your desired threshold.
2. Turning down the beat. You don't know how many songs I hear when the beat is too loud for the vocals. Simply turning down the beat a few decibels, can give you a lot of head room for the vocals. Also, you don't have to find extreme ways to push the vocals to be louder.
3. Dig a hole for the vocals. Cutting out some low end on the beat where the body of the vocals live, can tremendously help in a settle way. You can feel the space open up for the vocals, and they just right. It feel as if the beat is around the vocals instead of behind the vocals.
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