Orchestral Intransparency

It is in the nature of orchestral music to not be able to hear every instrument clearly in the mix. Some instruments like woodwinds even regularly “drown” in tuttis and their only purpose is to add to the ensemble sound. This is actually a main factor of creating that ensemble sound.

I’m not argueing for undefined muddy orchestral mixes here but a certain degree of intransparency in mixes actually adds to the realism of orchestral music. So when you’re mixing your music (especially sampled music) don’t try to mix it too clinical as this will reduce the ensemble feeling.