Digital/analogue isn't going to make any difference IMO
What sounds good on your own will often not cut through a mix. I use a lot of effects, and if you heard my bass sound on it's own you'd probably feel ill (in a bad way) but in the mix it works well. Working out effects settings on your own isn't a great idea IMO. One of the best things i've done is work out my pedal settings while playing along to our band with the bass cut out. I'm very lucky, I don't know if everyone would be able to do that, but if you can it's really useful.
Clean blends can be really useful, but I think some people use these just to get them cutting through again, in which case you might as well not have the effect on.