Sum Greater Than the Parts?

[BenignVanilla]

I have a conflict...I am working on completing a rough mix of a track before I send it to the guy that is doing the final mix. I've noticed a few things that stand out to me, so I have begun solo'ing various tracks, and I've noticed the vocals tracks are a wreck. Some clipping from the pre-amps, some auto-tuning that was done makes the vocals sound like a chipmunk, etc. Much of this is not noticeable at all when the full mix is in play...one argument I have heard is, if the final mix sounds good, who cares about the parts. I am of the mindset that the final mix would be better if the individual parts were of better quality.

What are your thoughts on this?

 

[Chibi Nappa]

Record better parts.

 

[Bristol Posse]

If the sum of the Sh!tty parts add up to a (possibly) passable mix, how much better would it be if the individual parts were actually good?
I guess the real question is are you happy with (possibly) passable as a finished result or would you rather have good?

 

[DrewPeterson7]

one argument I have heard is, if the final mix sounds good, who cares about the parts.

This is definitely true, though with one caveat - if the iffy parts just don't call attention to themselves in the mix, then you could probably have a better mix if you re-recorded them. If, however, the iffy parts sound awesome in the mix - those clipped vocals actually sound really effective, the auto-tuned chipmuck voices sound awesome when they come in, etc, then who cares what they sound like solod as long as they really work in that mix?