miroslav
Cosmic Cowboy
I've always been of the opinion that if you can't do rock music with 16 tracks, it shouldn't be done. (Or you're a moron)
I would agree for your basic "classic" Rock music styles, and especially if you have a complete band to work with, since you will most likey capture the band, and then only add a few overdub tracks.
That said...for many other genres, there's a real need and value to having and using more tracks.
Now, for most music, it doesn't need to be 100 tracks...but again, these days it's not like what you (and I, and some other old-school guys) use to do, where you're recpording the entire rhythm guitar to one track...done. Rather, with the DAW, you have the option to record many takes and also to break things up, and you might do the verses and choruses on separate tracks...maybe one per track.
Now multiply that by 5-6 instruments...and you can end up with 40-50 tracks of short takes instead of 16 tracks of complete takes.
Also...when you're doing "sound design" kind of stuff...or EDM/Electronic stuff...the DAW gives you unlimited options so you don't have to do all these crazy edits just to squeeze all in on a 16-track tape machine.
AFA what Jimmy is getting at...he does a lot of Metal, and for quite a few years now, with Metal, just the drum kit is going to suck up 8 to 16 tracks, because modern Metal productions call for individual mics on each drum, plus OH, plus maybe two mic each on the Snare and Kick...so it's just the production style that calls for that.
You're not going to bring in a Metal band, and stick three mics on the drums...it's just not done.
So while I am always looking for a way to minimize the number of tracks...I don't approach it with an absolute minimalist mindset.
I may start out with 8 tracks planned, but then you start to hear things and get new ideas...and more/new tracks are added.
Still...I do tend to record "old-school"...so my tracks are complete takes from start to finish of a song...I don't do bits-n-pieces.
Also...when I have everything I want, and I see another 3 empty tracks on my 24-track tape deck...the extra tracks are always filled up with...more takes.
I mean, things like vocals always get 3-5 takes/tracks...lead guitar stuff at least a couple of takes/tracks...and sometimes I may do 4 electric rhythm guitar tracks, plus a couple acoustic guitar tracks...and only end up using 2 of the electric rhythm tracks.
Anyway...I'm not opposed to limits, and more minimalist approaches...because I think it keeps the bus moving, and you're not sifting through 100 tracks of "stuff" trying to piece it all or figure out what to keep...or how the hell to mix it all together...but that said, I happy that I am not forced to stick to just 8 or 16 or even 24 tracks, when I can hear in my head at least 3-4 other things I would like to include on a production, but can't because of some forced limits...though I do agree that it's good to have a set plan, with specific goals, and to sometimes simply NOT indulge with endless "maybes" where you're just tossing as much shit as you can against the wall to see what will stick. Though sometimes...when you're stuck on production ideas...it pays to even do that if it will help generate something that ends up being "genius"...even though it was just a hit-n-miss affair.