I tend to go overboard on recording. When it comes to a final mix, probably a third of the tracks won't be used. Using an Eleven Rack as an interface for guitar and bass gives me two separate tracks for each guitar or bass. One is a stereo track that has been processed by the Eleven Rack and will have amp and speaker cabinet sim and some effects (as if you were recording using microphones in from of your amp). The other is a mono track which is the dry guitar signal, the same as if you plugged the guitar directly into a conventional recording interface. That way, if the processed signal doesn't sound like I want it when I start mixing, I have the option of abandoning it (or augmenting it) and using the dry track and the amp sims that are built in my DAW (or Amplitube or Positive Grid or Kontact or other plug-ins) which provide for further sound modification. So by the time I have a rhythm, lead and bass guitar, I have 6 recorded tracks. If I double a rhythm track , there are another two.what one fine helluva mess!!!
Here and I thought I was bad coming up with 6 tracks just to do a guitar and mic. You are waaaayyyyy ahead of me on this stuff for sure!!! Looks amazing!
LIke @sdbrit68 said, there may be up to 16 tracks for drums and percussion. Most drum software gives you the ability to output each individual drum, cymbal or other percussion as if it was recorded on it's own track so in the final mix you have full volume and tonal control over the kit.
Add in a couple of vocal tracks, one or two keyboards and it's pretty easy to get up to well over 20 tracks.
Just because you have access to all of these different channels doesn't mean you need to use them. But it also means you can try just about anything you like.
