The only good purpose for templates i could think of is for general mixing and mastering purposes.
But you cannot design ready-made mixing or mastering templates for any type of song. (unless you only plan to compose using a cowbell)
Depends on the individual case I guess. However I tried that several time ago and I can confirm, that it was horrible - especially with pre-made mixing buses.
by setting up a clean template you save yourself pretty much knobbing to get started
and aslong as you tweak the eq’s on the sends to fit the track you produce in the process
you won’t be limited.
but i can see the problem by setting up a template with tons of compressors and effects
as a temp, using the same stuff on all your tracks will give a sound that is similar in many ways.
I set a few things in my template song. Each channel resembles a line-in for my audio interface. I made midi instruments for each synth I have. I also placed a midicc device in each channel including my most “popular” parameters I use.
Templates CAN limit creativity, yes, but they can also INSPIRE and motivate (and in the process result in a group of songs which really go together sonically)…
When I use a template for a while I really grove with it, but then I leave it aside to explore something different because yes after a while I’ve just sunk into certain habits and by breaking my routine I break new ground.
I tend to have the first track be bas drums, the second snare, the third high hat, fourth special sounds/cymbols. Maybe bas will be first track. But it’s just a trend not a template.
i have just re-modelled my template,with alot of busses for different processing,it can quickly get quite messy but thats not much of a problem,if you keep it organized(but could use some color-codes hehe)
Pattern length 128, Speed 160/3. Basic drumkits, and melodic instruments, bass. I use it only to get ideas sketched down, I’ll continue later by replacing the instruments and stuff. But if I am songwriting, I need to get ideas down quickly…
must be 
