A common criticism of my songs is that my mixes should be improved, but I have never really gotten any specific tips for a better mix. Do you have any tips for a generally good mix?
you have to start with what you can hear. if you like your mixes the way they are, then there's no change that you can or should make. you have to do it based on what you hear. for example, if the trumpet is way way too loud...... if that bugs you when you listen to it, ... then you can turn it down. but if it doesn't bother you then there is no need to change it. If you already like it the way it is, and then you start changing it, you'll probably just end up making it worse. .... getting back to the original question, if someone else is claiming your 'mix' is 'bad', but not telling anything specific about what they don't like, then you can just maybe raise 1 eyebrow at them, if possible