i don't think the word "necessary" is right, yes some tracks do need it and some do not. if you want a totally raw sound and only work with the pure recording techniqe itself, choosing and placing mics in a certain way and only using say the effects on your guitar amp for example or the natural room reverb, and you are happy with the result, why then adding effects afterwards?? most tracks, thou... have some effects on it, and if it is just a hint of EQ or reverb or compression.

and yes, they do add depths if correct applied to a track.

but it's entirely up to what you want and your taste.

a.

axel wrote: i don't think the word "necessary" is right,
a.

Nor is "as a last resort"
:roll:

In an Ideal situation with an Ideal environment you could consider adding effects as a last resort. Consider Zep's Physical Graphiti. That album used natural verb that was available. Mind you they recorded in a spacious mansion. For most people effects are an enhancement in order to add well, effect. I don't think effects should be thought of in any way as necessary or un-necessary. They are a tool to be applied as the producer/artist sees fit. Even eq can be avoided. Consider Steely Dan's Aja. The entire album was mixed without eq. They "tuned" the mix by mic choice and placement. Those were the days of the "Art" of engineering!

jerryroy wrote: is it necesary to add effects to my tracks as a last resort to give my track more depth and personality?

Could you define what you mean by depth and personality?
Or better yet, describe what is lacking from your productions now.

What are you trying to go for, and the context i.e. what type of music are you doing?

FX should add to the mix, if it does then keep it, if it does not then get rid of it. I started out by trying every FX I had and doing all types off processing to see what added to your song and eventualy you learn what will add to the song. But always try to get the recording to sound as close you can to want in the end. I am young so its just a hobby for me and have lots of free time I have spent hours moving sofas and miks to get the sound I want.

well its more rnb and hip hop. my mixes always sound like i add too much reverb in the mix and my low end always sound heavy when i play it on my set. and i use my computer speakers to mix

You computer speaker, lost most others, will not have that low end. So when you mix you end up getting way too much bass in the signal to compensate for your tinny computer speaker non-linear signal response.