You want to sound 'live', this is about where a real drummer would sit. You just have to play and sing strong to keep up with it!

There is something about playing with a real drummer that forces us (most of the time!) to play a little stronger, to sing a little harder, to put a little more energy into our performances. THIS is what I want to hear even if I'm using an arranger for drums. It gets too easy to dial back the drums, lower the volume, sing a little softer, and the next thing you know, we all sound like wimps!

I try to use the arranger as a replacement REAL band, not a karaoke track, to be swamped if you dig in, so I feel that it's important to keep the drums and bass just where they would be in a real band... Tough to sing louder than!

So, nice job, cassp, at capturing what would be close to a 'live' mix...