how can u make a hip hop beat sound more clear and blend in well wit vocals

[rantheman]

im working with a focusrite pre amp..and a avalon 747 hardware compressor..n the pluggins im using is the uad ultra pak...i kno how to mix down the vocals already..but the only thing i have problems with is blending the vocals with the beat to make it sound more alive and professional...any soultions on making the hip hop beat come right with the vocals???

 

[Wazn]

Are the beats mastered?

 

[grooveboxTony]

It might be in your approach. I've never mixdown the vocals first and THEN tried to make them blend with the track. Usually I add each vocal one at a time making sure it doesn't get stepped on by the music and vice versa. Then I add the next vocal and the next, all the while blending the vocals with themselves as well as tweaking the music as needed.
When done, everything blends with everything.

Lets us know if the new approach works!

Tony Laughlin
Audio Engineer/Promoter
www.grooveboxmusic.com