[Al Acuff]

If you've been playing it by ear and getting inconsistent results, you might consider giving your ears better info. Room treatment and high quality monitors don't have to break your budget. IMO they are essentials.

Recording and mixing is all about listening and making good decisions. Nothing wrong with doing it by ear. Without a good room and honest monitors you can spend bags full of money on hardware and software hoping for better recordings but why bother?

Another poster here said that the key to good mixes is tracking your source the way you want it to sound. It's true. I'd add that good arrangements make good mixes a whole lot easier too. My home recording experience has taught me the importance of starting with a good arrangement even if it's only voice and guitar. Also, dynamics are very important. If you play with good dynamics then you won't need to compress.