I am re-posting a recent thread "upgrading system" as it has been marked "answered". I fear noone is looking at it any longer.
 
However my main question about getting gear to record and control multiple tracks individually has not been answered, and it was my main question.
 
Can anyone help?
 
Brian.

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.
 

Hey thanks Danny.
 
Some helpful advice.
 
I never thought the "flavour" thing, but it makes total sense of course. Unfortunately it is difficult to preview these mixers before purchase, so I have to rely on reputatation/advice. I record mostly pop/rock, with a rootsy influence, and some acoustic, and like a "pure" sound. Not too much over-compressioned guitars, thin sounds.
 
The mention of the Tascam is helpful, I will check them out. I am looking for an answer as to whether that is basically how to control multiple tracks during recording, and I guess it is then.( Using Mixer with multiple outs).
 
Brian.

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.

Hi Brian,
Aux sends are used for sending and returning channel signals to reverbs, echo effect and such. Those auxes will have SEND and RETURN jacks but most digital mixers today have very high quality internal effect already on board. Auxes are also used for talent cue mixes so that the musicians can have a independent headphone mix. That is important because usually the mixer will have at least two mixes going on at once - 1 mix is the properly gain staged levels levels going into  the DAW and the other is the headphone feed. You will also be returning the recorded signals into the mixer. My DM24 handles 24 in and 24 returns at once. It has been replaced by Tascam with the DM32 and DM48.
 
A mixer should also have GROUP  faders, sometime called BUSSES for grouping channel signals.
 
I do not know what you are looking at but if it's a Tascam such as the DM32, it needs the IF/FW (firewire) option card to connect directly to the PC. That card becomes the analog to digtal convertors. The card gives at least 24 ins and outs probably more on the newer mixers.
 
You are about to get in deep. I have developed several friendships over the years with folks getting into digital mixers. I'll be around - and if I can help out, I will be glad to.

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. 
 
 

Cactus, that's great advice.Your example of recording the full band is exactly what I am trying to accomplish.
 
I have to do some more research into the different products, but this is helpful.
 
2 questions:
1. Do you think Analog would provide better sound than digital?
2. Clarify "entry level usb digital mixers" usually provide only stereo."
 
Do you mean only 2 stereo outputs?
 
Danny I looked into the Tascams, they look great but a little more than I can spend right now.
 
Brian.

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. 

Awesome.Thanks so much, this is all great advice.I will think about all of it and be careful with what I buy.
 
Brian.

Ah, don't know about mixers, but USB2.0 version can handle (so RME states) up to 100 discrete channels in recording to a DAW. Their units work like RME UFX so I guess that is true. Some people asked about USB3.0 and when it would be coming out. That is why the first line was the answer. USB3.0 is not needed since USB2.0 can handle up to 100 channels in recording. Although now they are coming out with USB3.0 units as on the first page of the website.
 
http://www.rme-audio.de/en_products_fireface_ufx.php
 
When they talk about more tracks and added channels, they talk like 394 MADI channels (tracks) and such.
Not a mixer, but any mixer that has good drivers like RME drivers should work really good if they allow separate outputs on each channel, like a Direct Out perhaps sort of send on the mixer.