Mixing and mastering with a two track instrumental

[Mo Yates]

I have been recording a lot of hip hop music for the past month. Most of the artist come to the studio with a two track mixed version of the instrumental instead of the separated instruments and they want me to record their voices individually with Pro tools 7.1. I dont have any problem with that, but I do know there is nothing like mixing the individual instrumental tracks with the voices. 80% of the two tracks that are brought in are of good sound quality and the spacing of the instruments is ok.
Would anyone have any helpfull tips that I can use to make the music sound as professional as it can with just the two track beat and the separated voices? I am currently using the Waves Renn maxx, SSL 4000, and the Digidesign plugins to mix the recordings.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated,

Thank you

[wuskool]

i'm not no rocket scientist but i do a lot of the same stuff/
for starters u could just flat out eq the 2 track compression etc.....
then to the best of your abilty do the same to your vox....

use your earrrrrrrrrssssssssss!!!!!!!!





yung skool

[Naagzh]

What you need is are two examples, one from each method. Make sure the multi-track mix stands out as far superior to the 2-track plus overdubs. You can use the same song, or choose a better song with better vocals and a great mix with all the bells and whistles. Then, let the artist "decide" to bring you the multi-track beat. IOW, the Jedi mind trick.