Start w/ the basics G ... build this one from the ground up ... the levels are varying all over the place ... there needs to be more consistency.
Lock the kick/bass first, then add the rest of the drums. What I'd do w/ the kick is take a transient plug ... like this one:
Transient Monster and work w/ it until you get the sound you want. Use the same plug on the snare ... transient plugs do amazing things to percussive sounds (inc piano). I use the one they issue w/ Sonar 8 all the time.
Anyways ... send the drum submix to a mastering bus w/ a limiter strapped across it. Apply the limiter to suit ... attempt to glue the kit, whilst allowing it to remain "snappy" ... and FULL ... careful not to equate loudness w/ flatness.
Once you've got that down ... then fold in the vocals on top of the percussion frame ... also compress the vocal so that you've got a nice even presentation that doesn't rise or fall too much under the music bed.
THEN once the two critical elements are in place, start to add the trimmings ... like guitars, keys, pads etc ... panning in such a fashion to not interfere w/ what you've set up ... keep the vocals and drums somewhat sacrosanct.
Don't try too hard to fit everything in ... just try to discern what has to be there and what isn't as important ... and mix accordingly. Mixing is all about decision making.
Once you've got all the element in place, then start to layer in the effects ... being careful to put everything in the same "space" ... and more careful not to get too washy with them.
Hope this helps!
Kev-
