Re-Posting "upgrading system"

Hi Brian,
 
I think it depends of the "flavor" you want to add to your recordings. Most of todays mixers are transparent in that they offer or add no color to the mix. I am old school and old to enough to be able to recognize the specific character imparted by  say a Trident, MCI or API console. Same with microphones. SO what you are asking depends -
 
Typically, I can record 16 tracks at once and playback the same number of channels while recording. Neither Sonar nor the PC has any trouble handling that.
 
I often have songs with 60, 70 or more tracks so I use stems. That means certain things are sub mixed in Sonar. Say drums. Even though I record KICK, SNARE, L&R TOMS and L&R OVERHEADS, all of those tracks are sent to a DRUM buss in Sonar and that is always outputted to channels 1&2 on the TOFT console. You will be surprised how efficient it can be to send out stems for further processing in a mixer and external hardware.
 
The key thing, in my mind, is to figure out the SOUND CHARACTER that you want your studio in have. Different hardware will impart different character. Different plugs can too. I love UAD plugs and use dozens of them in every project.
 
I don't know if I am helping or not, but you have asked complex and highly personal taste type questions.
 
I do not use the MASTER buss in Sonar because of the way I work. When I mix, I send the signal from the Toft to both the Tascam CD burner and the Otari 1/4" tape machine at the same time. On those mixes I now have "printed" or imparted the wonderful  sound of the console and if need to, I can always re input the CD or tape playback back into the PC. But I never do.
 
I do not attempt to master the mixes here. They are always sent out to a mastering house. Those guys are the real audiophiles and have speaker systems that cost a much as a car. It is important to me to have that additional set of critical ears listen. If something is wrong -they will catch it. 
 
But you specifically say gear to record and "CONTROL multiple tracks so that implies a mixer/control surface. I also have here in the studio a Tascam DM24 which has the 24 channel I/O IF/FW card installed. Although I am not using it everyday because I am currently patched to the analog Toft ATB 32, the Tascam digital mixer is absolutely awesome. Fantastic as a controller. Stunning clarity and stereo width too. But it is a steep learning curve to get into it really deep. As with all digital mixers, it is the LAYER format and can be quite confusing to the new user but the format will become very intuitive with use.
 

Danny, I have a technical question I hope you will answer.
 
When researching mixers,they talk about auxilliary sends.I am confused as to whether this is where you would connect your "outs" to my interface. If there are only 4 aux outs, does that mean I can only control 4 tracks individually( unless there are "sub -busses").
 
or
 
Do most 16 or 24 channel mixers allow some sort of "communication" to the interface to control a higher number of multiple tracks regardless of the number of aux outs?
 
Brian.

As Dan has said, if you go with a Digital mixer, then there are either built in or optional audio interface connections that allow for multi track recording. Beware of the entry level systems that just say USB connection, they are usually just stereo. True Digital mixers that run multi track are expensive. 
 
But analog mixers can also be used if you own a good multi channel audio interface. If it has channel inserts or direct outs you can patch each mike directly to the interface. If it has Aux outs you can then do sub mixes ( not what I would want to do) or just use those to send one mike each ( what I do) An analog mixer with 4 Aux can do 6 outputs.
 
Example of recording my band : My interface has 8 xlrs and 6 TRS inputs. 
Drums- I'll use 3 Aux sends from the mixer to record Kick,Snare and Hats. The stereo output is the overheads and tom mikes. If I wanted the toms separate I would need 7 channels so I compromise here, just takes longer for sound check.  The mixer allows for adding EQ, gates and compression to the drums. Make sure the AUX can be set for POST SEND for this. 
Guitar- direct to interface via SM 57 on Amp in an iso booth. Usually re done. 
Bass- DI from pre amp. 
Vocals - Direct to interface as they are guide only and will be re done. 
Keyboard- MIDI. 
 
 

Your Audio Interface is the heart of any system involving using a DAW. Be it and stand alone interface or a digital mixer the drivers have to play nice with your DAW.  Shopping the low end is the hardest. It's easy if you have thousands of dollars to spend, I don't. 2 years and still out of work. It's a good thing that playing live helps pay for recording and songwriting. 
That's why I had to go with making do with what I have. It works fine, Cheap digital works better than a cheap tape based system for sure. Then- the big studios used 2" tape . I used 1/4". Now -Big studios use $10,000 computers and I use a  $1,000 home built POS and a discount interface. 
 
Your questions
1. Do you think Analog would provide better sound than digital?
 
That's a loaded question.  I've used an 01V digital mixer for the last 25 years and I have used a few analog mixers too,,, The digital sounds better because it is powerful. It is almost infinite in its control of the signal. The analog mixers are limited because they need outboard processing to go further than the basic gain and EQ. Sound better? if all I need is a mike pre amp ,,,then there's no difference, a pre amp is a pre amp,, and a converter is a converter, There are small to big differences in perceived sound quality with in all the components of both analog or digital equipment right? 
 
2. Clarify "entry level usb digital mixers" usually provide only stereo."
 
People get burned when they see the USB logo on the box and think they can use it as a multi channel  interface. Read the owners manual be for you buy.