Oh my bad haha, used to Focusrite so I said MixControl, but I meant TotalMix, the RME version :-)

sorry, don't know why the smiley face posted twice. I also don't know how to delete one.

I use a different RME interface but I would imagine the workflow would be similar with the Babyface. I used TotalMix to configure the output path when I first installed the interface. Since then, the only time I go into TotalMix is when I'm using one of the inputs to record something.
 
The process is plug in to the input with whatever I'm using, load up an audio track and set it to listen to the right input and turn echo on. Then I load up TotalMix and configure the input on the interface itself, set for mic or instrument, set phantom power as required, and then adjust the input gain. Once that's done, I'm back in Sonar for the rest of the session and every session after until  I need to configure an input again.
 
I don't find it to be a problem at all.

Thank you. That's what I wanted to know. Sounds great. Because yeah it's like I don't expect to ever use it unless like you said, I'm about to record a guitar or vocal and have to adjust the inputs.

Sounds good...

I will also say this. My last interface (Behringer) didn't really require any mixer/routing software. Everything was configured/adjusted right on the hardware. Coming from that to the RME where everything is done in software, I prefer the RME way of doing it.
 
With the Behringer, if I was setting up to record a bass part for example, it was push the mic/line button to line and then set the knob to.... oh about 1:30 or 2 o-clock and call it good. With the TotalMix software I set the gain to a  precise dB number. That number then goes into my notes. If two months from now I decide I need to punch in and redo a few things, I can easily set my signal path exactly as it was when I did the initial recording.

cool thing about totalmix,
is it lets you save 'templates' for a whole slew of different routings
 
plus, it lets you setup 'hot keys' with the buttons on top,
to do almost everything you do in totalmix..
 
so, for example, if you are standing at a guitar amp, getting levels....
and if you didn't want to sit in front of the pc monitor to setup levels in totalmix,
you could simply be dialing in the big dial on top and looking at the meters...
there is a lot of functionality on top of the babyface pro

I installed my RME BabyFace Pro yesterday :-)
 
Hopefully I'll get a bunch of time over the next week to mess with it so I can report back that all is good in the world haha... But so far so good :-)

Amicus717
The RME Babyface Pro, which usually clocks in at about $800-$900, sometimes cheaper if its on sale. Great converters, two decent mic pres, and the best drivers in the business (rock stable, low latency, frequent updates and long-term support).

I did this, and it is superb.  I do have a mid-grade purpose built DAW, but the combination is bullet proof...

YEA, I picked up my rme bfp for $650 with a coupon