Mixing is about giving all instruments and vocals their own space in the mix. How can we do that if we only have the vocals?

We could really only do so much with that too unfortunately. Unless you sent all the stems, another producer won't really be able to mix your vocals in that well. What that being said here's a way you could try to do it yourself. I would recommend soloing your vocals along side other tracks in the same frequency range (maybe guitars, some percussion, piano etc.) and listen for clashes. You can then lower or sometimes even notch out those clashing frequencies from the offending instruments with an EQ. Good luck!

1. get the absolute best recording you can.
2. cut out any unnecessary noise or breaths in the audio.
3. Compression. Personally I like either Fab filter or the Glue.
4. Your dry vocal track needs reverb - for me I like Valhalla or Lexington verbs.
5. De-ess your tracks -  cutting out the sharp 's' 't' psh' ....that sorta thing ....basically tame your sharp sounding syllables. Do this with a compressor that is focused in on the proper frequency range or notch out on an EQ - or both.
6. Subtle stereo delay can work wonders on vocals.
7. use a vocal rider or draw in manual volume automation. Obviously a vocal performance isn't done at one constant volume level. Certain words are belted out loud and others are quiet - use a rider or volume automations to smooth out the volume differences so everything is more uniform.
8. As said above its about creating space. No matter how many times I listen back to my vocal mix I always end up fucking about with my volume levels of the vocal. Just how it goes. Try find the sweet spot and like I said above create volume automations throughout to suit the track.
9. You can try using things on sends....such as the reverbs or the delays and see if it works better than using them as inserts.
10. Vocals will always have really resonant parts somewhere in the performance. I like adding random EQs that are only activated on certain word. Example: I'm currently working on a vocal track and there is a word 'Dark'  and part of the 'a' sound rings out a little during the break - so I have added an EQ and notched out the frequency that spikes up and then immediately deactivated it so the EQ isn't affecting anything else throughout the track.
11. if you want...you can try sidechaining things to your vocal. Used subtly it can create more space for your vocal. I prefer just sitting the vox higher in the mix.
12. If you have different vocal stems try bussing them together and adding some compression to reduce the dynamic range between the stems.
13. Duplicate some of your vocal and drown them in reverbs and sit them back in the mix. Adds to the ambience of the track.


theres some stuff to try

13. Duplicate some of your vocal and drown them in reverbs and sit them back in the mix. Adds to the ambience of the track.

Any tips or advice on how to do that or perhaps a video for some inspiration? Am looking to create some nice ambience from the vocals of the acapella that I am working on. Appreciate it, cheers mate.