Hey so Just wondering if many of the big names are automating volumes of for example there claps. When using big trance kind of main room leads even trying to eq abit of space for the claps to cut through they still seem to quite unless I turn them up a bit but then if I turn them up they are to loud in the intros and things other sections. So I guess I want to know is volume automation common or should I really be keeping the same volume set and cutting more room for the claps, which seems hard when the 1k region is usually pretty busy from supersaws.
Any advice as always would be great.
Why not change the gain.
You could try to sidechain the leads that are interfering with your claps. So the lead is dipping a bit when the clap hits.
I had difficulty in the past with this.
2 things i noticed after extensive listening.
- Its quite common for claps in bigger tunes to get a bit lost.
- Layering your claps is a good way to add volume/impact when you need it.
you could also try panning.
If the lead sits more centered in the mix, especially around 1kHz, you could duplicate the claps channel and have one hard panned right the other left.
thanks for the replys guys I already have three claps one centered and the other two panned either side, using a slight simple delay like phil does on the high hats seems to have given them a bit more width and cutting through a bit better, I might have a look at sidechaining the lead to claps but, I guess im a bit worried about sidechain my lead to other elements when I want my lead to be the most important thing.
You can always upload a snippet of your work and let us have a listen. Maybe the advice can then be even more spot on 
fair point I will hopefully finish this track soon and I will upload for some mixdown advice.