i'm pretty much doing my own stuff now, not delivering to someone else. his focus is "small studio." he talks about beginning a mix with a clean slate, with no-fx stems of each instrument in a new project.
 
i've blurred the line between recording/editing/tweaking and mixing, i export the latest "mix" of the day, come back the next day and do the same...
 
i'm wondering what you guys do: incremental mixes or start with clean stems in a new project?
 
 

I don't really get what you mean. My mixes for a project are incremental (unless I feel I hit a dead end in which case I start over), but each new project starts with a clean slate obviously. So clean stems in a new project and then incremental mixes.

I wish I could totally separate the arranging and mixing processes. In other words, get the thing written and arranged to the point where it's a complete song and then start with a blank slate and mix it. For me though, the two processes are hopelessly entwined. I find that my inspiration is very much dependent on the sounds I'm hearing - if I can't get something to sound decent then I'm not inspired to write. The sound that I'm getting very much influences the notes I play and the feel I put into it. So I find myself writing a little bit and then spending ages on the sound...not just the synth sounds but also EQing and even compressing them to get them to sound good together. If I can't get them to sound good together (eg too much masking etc) then I'll look into selecting other sounds and/or changing the arrangement (eg putting parts in different octaves so they don't clash so much etc). I just don't see how you can totally separate arranging and mixing, because the success of the mix very much depends on the arrangement and so I'm constantly flitting between the two. Although I can see how getting to the point of totally dry stems and then starting the mix from that point would be a more productive and organized way of working. 

I work that way on my own stuff because I often write in Live and then export.  If I'm recording a band then I split it in to three tasks recording, pre-mixing and then mix.  When I start to mix I don't really want to have to start fixing things that I should of done at pre-mix stage.

interesting. there's no right answer. one methodology may work great on a given song, and fail on the next one. whatever works...

Ah I see what you mean now. I usually try to avoid obsessing about the mix while writing. I just do the very basics so I don't get terribly upset ;)
Then when the song is finished or nearly finished and I'm not happy woth the mix, I sometimes reset all faders and remove all or most plugs. It helps to get a fresh perspective. You have ears, trust them.