For all brass now, I just decap with a universal decapper when I get back from the range. I toss them in a bin or bucket until I need them, or until I have a large enough load to be worthwhile.
I've mixed brass before, but only if they won't fit inside each other. For instance, I don't shoot a lot of 44 mag, so when I want to clean some I will just throw them in with a batch of 45. Same goes for 460 S&W brass. Do NOT mix brass that will fit inside each other. The steel pins will find a way to lock them up so tight it will take you a while to get them apart.
For bottleneck rifle brass, I experimented with wet tumbling in two steps. I would throw the brass (not decapped) into the tumbler without pins and tumble just long enough to clean the crud off the outside (about 15 minutes) using a little Dawn. Then I would lube/size/decap in one step. The brass does not have to be completely dry for this. Then back into the wet tumbler, with pins and Wash-n-Wax/Lemishine. Then I finish processing the brass as normal. I basically do this same process now, just that I decap everything first with a universal decapper first.
I use hot water from the tap for the wash, and cold water for the rinse.
To separate the pins from the brass, it helps to keep the brass under water to break the water tension. I use the RCBS clam-shell type separator, with the base full of water. I use the other half of the clam-shell, with no water in it, to tumble and get most of the water out.
I've dried the brass many different ways, depending on the situation. Normally, I have a framed screen that I place in front of a fan, with a cardboard plenum to force the air through the screen. This is relatively quick and low power. In the winter, since I have to heat my shack anyway, I may use a re-purposed toaster oven or a food dehydrator. If I have a fire in the fireplace, I place my screen in front of the fire. I've used the shoe rack in the clothes dryer, but this uses a lot of energy. In the heat of the summer, I have placed my screen above the outside AC unit, that works REALLY fast. Lots of ways to skin this cat.