A sensible order in the process?

As I gain experience and comfort with the basic tools of editing, I suspect I am falling prey to randomness.
I tend to do the first thing that occurs to me which, on reflection, is not likely to be either efficient or correct.
I'm asking those who do a lot of mixing to share some efficient work habits.

Assuming you have some basic tracks. Say Lead vox, (probably a sacrificial version until the mix is tighter) guitar, bass, drums are recorded and you are settling in to get a decent preliminary mix before deciding to add parts such as harmonies lead guitar, horns, padding etc.

How do you see the next steps?
EG
1. clean up the trax. 
     a) set volume automation for the worst of the dynamics

     b) correct or eliminate bad notes and timing

     c) ?

2. Basic EQ for general frequency positioning with other trax 
3. General Panning
4. Preliminary volume balancing between tracks
5. Add supporting trax as needed.
6. cut away unneeded sections of clips to develop the arrangement
7. Control the finer dynamics of the new trax with a touch of compression at the track level?
8. Repeat 1 thru 7 until the mix is ready to bake.

Now all the parts are there, balanced panned and ready to tweak the over all mix.


9. Buss work?
     a) Comp/limit
     b) EQ

     c) FX

     d)
10. Prelim.Master buss work?
     a) Comp/limit
     b) EQ

     c) FX

     d)



I know this is probably simplistic but I'm betting I'm not the only one that consistently ends up with a mess of unnecessarily complex, conflicting and overlapping FX and plugs due to an undisciplined, random process.
Some simple rules would save a lot of time and make a better product.
Thanks in advance,
Glenn

The only thing I offer you is listen. Don't try to "fix" things until you know a real problem exists. Balance the mix before you do any FX and listen closely.

Assuming your song has long term macro dynamics, it's a good idea to start your mix with the loudest/punchiest section of the song.

If you mix a quieter section first you might find you'll run out of headroom when you reach the louder/loudest section.

Bristol_Jonesey


Assuming your song has long term macro dynamics, it's a good idea to start your mix with the loudest/punchiest section of the song.

If you mix a quieter section first you might find you'll run out of headroom when you reach the louder/loudest section.

+1 Been bitten more than once by this as I was learning...

If you DO run out of head room, don't sweat it. Use Offset mode (O) by First selecting all tracks, hit 'O' for Offset mode, hold Ctrl then click 1 of the highlighted tracks volume sliders and slide it down 6-8 dbs. This will Offset the volume of all tracks (doesn't change your automation even). You can choose whether the quick group volume change is absolute or relative by right clicking a group area like volume and then going into the group manager. I generally start off Offsetting just because I know I'm going to need the headroom once I plug in all my kick as FX chains! :)

There is a book by Mike Senior, "Mixing Secrets for the Small Studio" at http://www.cambridge-mt.com/MixingSecrets.htm
 
He goes through a pretty step by step guide to how he and other enginneers mix.  He leaves room to say that as you get better you may do things more all at once.
 
It is worth the $20-$30.

Wow Great tips guys
I humbly thank you.
This has put the workflow into a professional perspective.

Yeah, the  Mike Senior book is a great read and chock full of techniques