You can do a very good mix in stand alone mode with a MPC, especially the new ones, a lot more so in fact.
But mixing is a huge subject and there is not just any one answer.
Gain structure is probably the first thing though. Not too loud, not too quiet. This affects everything really but also what is important is how you have set your samples and programs set up, how the filters are set up and then how the tracks are set too. Of course effects play a part again in the gain structure of your mix in the box.
You don't want to have things clipping and you want a decent level too. That can relate to all the above.
So it is complicated and also matters how you are monitoring your mix, your speakers, your room, things like that can also affect your result.
Add to this that more tracks means more output too.
Again it is complicated, but there is no set EQ or compressor setting, it all depends on what you are working on and how you want it to sound.
Basically you have to listen for the bad results to keep things going well. No need to push it into the red or clip, the distortions are a bad sign. So aim for a set level out and work to that, either not going over it or work up to that loudness. Anyone can turn it up, and I wont get into minute detail about how many dB you want, but you want some headroom and you don't want it too quiet either. Listen and learn to mix through trying things out. Learning about mixing is not an over night thing, but you can start with the basics like making sure every part is at the right level, so when you listen it is even or things you want loud are not competing with other things. Compressors are not fix, neither are EQs, Limiters and the like, these are tools to help you achieve a result and should be used as needed. Then after you set your levels you can go back and then use these to control dynamics, pull down certain frequencies or limit your gain. Again no magic answer, you have to kinda start from the beginning and work through as you go. Snare too loud, turn it down, too much variation in the part, use a compressor to flatten it out a bit. Two instruments don't sound as good together, think about EQ to bring one down in certain frequencies. Too loud, look at your gain, sample settings and normalisation settings. It is a big subject. But keeping this all in mind from the start and watching your gain structure means at the end you wont need no magic EQ to fix it up, you will already have an idea where it is at and manage best you can.
