I use to do a ridiculous amount of tracks!! But after years of slapping my face and controlling my need to change every other beat, I've now managed to use what seems to be the standard 10-20... however... this is after a good spring cleaning in the arrangement process.
To be honest, I'm always impressed when I hear a song with very few elements that remains interesting. Respect!
Elements in a track
I dont think you should limit yourself on the amount of audio/midi tracks you should use. it really depends on the way you work.
even a minimal track that sounds like it has 4 tracks might be using 30 tracks.
If something is missing, dont be than add it. if its too much, delete something.
Only thing that you should consider is how much the brain can absorb.
and thats 4 different sound at one time.
1-drums and percussions
2-bass
3-lead/singer/chord stabs
4-pad/groove guitar
but note that if you can recognize that the percussions are playing a melody or if you recognize their pitch, they are no longer perceived as percussion but as stabs.
also, this is true to instruments that play something, you can add an effect to it in it will still sound good.
even a minimal track that sounds like it has 4 tracks might be using 30 tracks.
If something is missing, dont be than add it. if its too much, delete something.
Only thing that you should consider is how much the brain can absorb.
and thats 4 different sound at one time.
1-drums and percussions
2-bass
3-lead/singer/chord stabs
4-pad/groove guitar
but note that if you can recognize that the percussions are playing a melody or if you recognize their pitch, they are no longer perceived as percussion but as stabs.
also, this is true to instruments that play something, you can add an effect to it in it will still sound good.