Best way to layer royalty-free music with SFX for a travel vlog?

Hey! I've been there. The key is to treat music as a bed, not a lead. Start with music at about -18 to -20 dB (RMS) and SFX at around -12 to -15 dB, but that's just a baseline. For cinematic punch, use sidechain compression on the music track triggered by your SFX. In Premiere Pro, you can do this with the Dynamics effect on the music: set the compressor with a ratio of 4:1, attack around 10ms, release around 200ms, and sidechain to the SFX bus (you'll need to route the SFX to a bus and select it as the sidechain source). For EQ, high-pass the music at around 80-100 Hz to leave room for SFX sub-bass, and cut a little around 2-3 kHz on the music to let SFX and voice cut through. Also, use the Essential Sound panel in Premiere: set music to 'Ducking' and choose your SFX/voice track as the source, with ducking amount around 8 dB and attack/release at 100ms/300ms. That's a quick fix. For more control, I'd recommend downloading the free TDR Nova EQ and sidechain compressor (or use the stock Multi-band Compressor). And always check your mix on headphones and phone speakers. Hope that helps!

Thanks frameclub13, that sidechain tip was a game changer! I set up the Dynamics sidechain exactly as you said, and now my SFX pop without the music overpowering them. I also high-passed the music at 90 Hz and it cleared up the mud. The Essential Sound ducking worked for the voice-over too. My mix sounds so much cleaner now. Appreciate the help!