[dvdan]

Hi Dickiefunk
Mixing VSTi's should be no different to mixing any other instruments you should encounter. The main reason that they might sound a bit dull and lifeless is that they are generally recorded with little or no processing and so may benefit from the usual treatment of a little reverb, eq and compression.

Drums, strings and pianos will definately respond well to some reverb treatment, but try not to go too over the top. A short reverb on the drums will make them sound lively and you can move the drums forwards and backwards in the mix by adding or subtracting highs from the reverbs. In fact, with the EZDrummer vintage rock expansion you have some nice room mics that you can use instead of reverb to excite them a bit.

Piano's and orchestral instruments can take reverb a little more over the top to make them sound like they were recorded in grand concert halls. One of the strangest things I can hear is a 40 piece orchestra that sounds like it was recorded in a bedroom! Try and be realistic in your approach.

Bass is generally left dry and panned in the centre. You probably don't need to compress very much as you have total control over the dynamics with a vsti - unlike a wayward bass player! Compression for guitar and bass VSTi's are probably used more for effect and compression 'sound'. A bit of slap back delay can be effective on guitars.

When it comes to eq'ing - try not to be too drastic again (unless it sounds good of course). Cutting is generally better than boosting as it 'cleans' up the sound. You can afford to cut a lot of low end out of the guitars, strings and piano, as this may free up space in the mix and remove 'mudiness'.

That being said these are all generalisations, and apply to mixing most acoustic and electronic instruments as well as vocals... But as long as it sounds good then I guess there are no rules at the end of the day. Its important to experiment and push boundaries. Just like the Beatles did.

Hope this helps.