When to use effects

[cw4u]

I'll be quite honest, I'm horribly under-educated when it comes to effects. We have two Digitech Quad processors. One for FOH and one for broadcast. Due to us using 6 of the aux mixes FOH side for monitors and aviom sub-mixes, I've only got two available for effects. Right now, I've got it set up to have a vocal reverb and a gated reverb for our td-20 set. Does that seem right? Could I use the other two as a limiter for like the pulpit and another input?

Now, I haven't run broadcast in quite some time, so we're not using any effects on it right now. But I can utilize all four inputs of the Digitech processor on that board. I plan on keeping the vocal reverb and gated reverb. So, what should I use the other two for? Is their anyway that I can use the praise team mics with a effect so that they could simulate a choir of some sort? Some days our choir is, well, rather small. (30-40 ppl)

A quick mic run down.
4 - Choir
4 - Praise Team
1 - Solo
1 - Worship Leader
6 - Drums (DIs)
2 - Brass
1 - Flute
1 - Woodwinds
2 - Piano
1 - Keyboard (DI)
1 - Bongo
1 - Bass Guitar (DI)
1 - Electric Guitar (DI)
1 - Accoustic Guitar (DI)

Any help is appreciated!!

[Tim Padrick]

Listen to all the recordings that you can - preferably on some quality headphones (Grado) or earbuds (I quite like my M-Audio IE10s) (with no EQ!). This will allow you to hear all of the nuances of the effects. Some of my favorites:

Black Sabbath (the first one)
Dark Side of the Moon
Led Zeppelin (the first one)
Mother Lode - Loggins and Messina
The Wall
So long so wrong - Alison Krauss & Union Station
most any 80's hair metal national act's albums

Of course the first thing to do is to get the tones and blend of the vocals and instruments right. Then you can sweeten it up with effects.