How can I get a HOT mix on Output 1-2 without clipping?

Question

Hello,
I'm unable to get a hot mix on Output 1-2 with either AU instruments or Audio tracks. If I start with a hot track, by the time I add EQ and compression, the tracks are clipping. I've tried reducing the gain on the plug-ins, and/or the gain on the individual tracks, also reducing the master output. I've also tried starting with lower velocity tracks (midi) and capturing lower volume audio, and then using the plug-ins to boost, still ensuring there is no clipping, but on exporting to iTunes, the volume is too low. Whatever I do to stop clipping from occurring, the result is a low output to iTunes. And the Soundcheck in iTunes is hopeless, and doesn't transfer to iPod, which I'm using for backing tracks as a solo musician.
PLEASE HELP
Ros

Answer 1

Although you talk about perceived loudness, reading between the lines I think you're really delving in to mixing techniques - once you've honed that a bit, the loudness can be addressed at a "mini-mastering" stage.
Maybe some things I do might help a little (but I'm working with rock music exclusively so YMMV):
In your initial mix setup, set your Output fader kinda low-ish (I use around -6)
Add your first tracks - in my case, drums. Get the balance that sounds right. Don't add reverb to individual tracks (yet) but I usually have in my mix set up sends for reverb to Bus 1 and a delay on bus 2
Add bass. Get the bass sounding right, and don't be afraid to use multiple compressors. I often use a compressor at a low ratio, say 2:1 in RMS setting with a low threshold. Then I might add another compressor, this time a higher ratio, with a much faster attack and as fast a release as possible. Turn off auto gain. The basics of this technique also can help with vocals too.
As Fred said above, choose to take out frequencies rather than add them.
Now, my preference is add the vocals. Work them up. Everything else is added around those three essentials to taste. If adding more instruments clutters/muddies up your bass and drums, fix them so they fix in your spectrum. Your output should be peaking at ≤ -6. As you've not applied any automation yet, you can select all the tracks set so far by rubber banding them, and fading them up and down in unison. Clipping indication on individual tracks (NOT the output) doesn't matter - your tracks have a huge amount of headroom; your output doesn't.
Once everything is added you can then tweak your other parameters and reverb etc. More details would need a book.
Once you have your mix sounding good, bounce it.
Then I open a fresh template I have for the "mini-mastering" stage and load my bounce (undithered, still 24 bit) I use AdLimiter but as LE doesn't have that (and I'm not sure if LE even has a multi-pressor - another really useful tool) I'd suggest multiple compressors again if that's what you think it needs.The idea here is that if you use multiple compressors, each one doesn't compress that much and you can avoid the wheezing and puffing from using one compressor with too heavy a hand.
I'd suggest that compressor 1 has a long attack and slow release. Set the threshold to give you a minimal few db of gain reduction, ratio maybe ≤ 3:1. Turn off autogain, and set your makeup gain to be slightly more than your gain reduction. Add compressor two, with the same settings. As you add more compressors, if you've set this up right, the compressor is receiving a slightly hotter input and will overall introduce considerable compression, but no individual compressor is introducing pumping.
Anyway, hope this gives you some ideas to try.
Good luck.