The next release is going to contain a mix of hardware and software based tracks. For some reason, I'm really struggling with the mix for one of them.

It's lead me to think about my workflows for the two types of recording.

I hugely prefer the process of recording with hardware, probably because it's a lot more tactile and I get into a better flow.

The Launchpad XL has definitely helped when making tracks purely in software, but it's still not a comparable experience.

I needlessly fuss over insignificant details in software. I'm trying to resist the urge but being out of that flow gives more space for fiddling with things that probably don't need to be fiddled with.

What's strange is that trying to mix a software-only track always seems to be harder. They always feel muddier, with less body, even though you would expect things to be more crisp when working in the box.

The particular track I'm struggling with has layers spanning the frequency spectrum but, even with some judicious EQ, things want to blend too much. I seem to struggle with the low end more than seems typical, especially kicks.

I'm going to strip back all effects and concentrate on the raw sounds, gradually reintroducing processing in stages to get the right blend.

The other software-only track doesn't have this problem, but then it doesn't use a kick drum.