In the old days (ie last Century) there were quantitative limits. Limits to the number of tracks on the multitrack, limits to the number of track bounces before the noise floor gobbled up the signal, and a finite amount of signal processing and FX gear. With good rack equipment costing several thousands of dollars per rack space (btw a rack space = 1.75") a lot of sessions used most if not all of the compressors, EQs, gates, and reverb units available. Beyond that it was a case of borrowing / hiring more gear, or doing without.
Fast forward to today and using plugins on a DAW on a fast computer and the opposite applies. It is often possible to have as many as you want. Of course, there are times when lots of nip / tuck operations are useful (eg EQ before and after a compressor), but I have seen things such as two EQs in a channel cancelling out each others effect. The same goes for putting an expander directly after a compressor. So...try to stay focused and every so often step back and give your mix a plug-in reality check. Maybe you have gone too far due to being too close, and taking an effect out will actually improve the sound.
Fast forward to today and using plugins on a DAW on a fast computer and the opposite applies. It is often possible to have as many as you want. Of course, there are times when lots of nip / tuck operations are useful (eg EQ before and after a compressor), but I have seen things such as two EQs in a channel cancelling out each others effect. The same goes for putting an expander directly after a compressor. So...try to stay focused and every so often step back and give your mix a plug-in reality check. Maybe you have gone too far due to being too close, and taking an effect out will actually improve the sound.