How to get a cleaner mix

[nickamandote]

Gain staging!!!

Now that is one helpful picture, nice to see it laid out like that. Always try to stay at -18dB myself as I think it sounds "best" for me.

and you got the proper tool to automatically do it
http://www.hornetplugins.com/plugins/hornet-vu-meter/

[xx JPRacer xx]

Gain staging will only makes a difference if the plugins you use are modeled after some real units and expect a signal at a certain level. Otherwise this won't change anything and will certainly won't makes thing clearer.

If your mix sounds muddy, try to fix at the source (or maybe change arrangement). Otherwise try cutting near 250 Hz or pan some tracks around.

[highkoo]

Gain staging will only makes a difference if the plugins you use are modeled after some real units and expect a signal at a certain level. Otherwise this won't change anything and will certainly won't makes thing clearer.

Yyyyyeah, +1.
Sergio seems to be referencing distortion from driving analog..?
That is not likely to be your problem.

Without hearing anything, from your OP, my top three are
-HP/LP everything, an make some of em cut heavier than feels right
-Heavier panning of smaller elements
-Trim the reverb strength and/or tail length

[DodgingRain]

What kind of sound sources are you using?

Which kind of eq are you using? Graphic or parametric, etc? You should only be eq'ing if there is a problem you need to solve otherwise your probably just creating more problems.

Could be gain staging but unlikely, the -12 to -18 is more so the main bus doesn't clip when everything is summed. Easy enough to just move the faders down to create headroom. Some claim that plugins are optimized for that range but I've never seen any actual evidence of that.

Most likely you just need more practice or your listening environment needs treatment.

[highkoo]

Never assume anyone is working in analog on KvR.

[simon.a.billington]

Good gain staging, and don't over saturate or boost the bottom end on everything.

More bass, more pump, is often not a good thing and can very quickly led to a messy, boomy, ugly mix. You need to pick your battles for that one, usually kick and bass, but even then you can't be too overzealous.

Don't overuse synth stacks either. Too many thick sounds often just leads to a bad mix. Multiple instruments playing exactly the same thing is a quick way to build some mud.