I often work closely with students learning the skills and more of the audio engineering world.  This was an email I recently shared with a student I felt would be useful to more than just them.  Hope it helps.  :)

To a student I wrote:
"Sounds good.  :)  Did you hand in the mix already?
Automation is a valuable tool to use.  Often the difference between a Semi-Pro mix and a PRO mix is automation in a variety of ways.  I use a medium amount of automation and most mixes I do will have at least 30-40 different automation moments throughout one of my mixes.  All I’m saying is don’t discount the value of automation.  It is such a useful tool in a mix. 

Here are some examples of automations I would use in a mix.

I recently had a text conversation with a home studio guy on vacation, and he was surprised that he'd never recorded a vocal and acoustic guitar at the same time.  He asked my advice, and this is what I sent him.  :)  Thought it was a worthwhile share.  

"First, I hope the performer is decent at controlling their own dynamics, better at singing, and a good guitar player.  It’s a useless endeavour unless you can check off those boxes.

Sometimes I answer emails in a way that explains exactly what I want it to so easily, I want to share it.  Here is a recent email to a new home recording artist about trying to solve hi hats being too loud in overheads.

​"... here are a number of things you can try.  (in order of what I would try based on what I hear…)