control surface:
think of it as a huge mouse. when you move the faders on the control surface it moves the corresponding fader in the software program you are using. When you pan the audio to the left with the control surface, it also pans the knob in the program to the left. Everything you do on the control surface you could do the EXACT same thing with your mouse.
the reason people like the control surfaces is because it makes it more hands on for them. they like the feel of actual faders under their fingers. And it also allows them to do things they couldn't do with just a single mouse. You can move two or more faders at once with just on hand which can help when writing automation.
However, no audio passes through any of the faders/knobs on a control surface. Digital information is sent to the software program telling it "Increase the volume level on the snare drum track". It just so happens the units you are looking at are also audio interfaces (aka soundcards). They take an analog signal and convert it into digital and vice versa. But these companies decided to include a control surface with it. Every move you do of the fader is effecting the audio on the monitoring side while recording. So you're not controlling what you're recording, you're only effecting what you're hearing back AFTER it's recorded.
Take a close look at these:
http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--DGDMX002R
That is your 002Rack unit (also called the 002r). It's just a standard, audio reocrding sound card. Now compare it to:
http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--DGDMX002
which is the 002. This looks almost EXACTLY like the 002r, but has a control surface mounted to it. In fact, switch back and forth between the pics of the two units and you'll notice the tops of them look almost identical. Both accept the same type and number of inputs but the more expensive one has a huge mouse attached to it.
analog mixer:
Audio actually passes through analog mixers. Every fader move, every EQ knob, every pan....effects the audio that is sent out the outputs. No digital is used in a true analog mixer. Many people like the control an analog mixer gives them. They can use more preamps and add more effects live while recording. And there is also very very minimal latency when using an analog mixer.
When you're incorporating an analog mixer into your computer setup most people like to use mixers that have Tape Outs or Direct Outs. This is so that every microphone you plug into your mixer has it's own output. Smaller (and cheaper) units don't offer these and instead you're forced to use your main outputs on them. However, those main outputs are a summation of all the audio channels on your mixer. So if you plug 12 microphones into it...you still only get two channels which limits you after you've recorded. If the mixer had direct outs...you could take all these 12 inputs separately and send them to a soundcard or other tape machine.
If you do get an analog mixer you'll still need something to record the audio onto. Like a computer (with a soundcard of course) or a tape machine of some sort. I would recommend not using an analog mixer as you start off. Both the Tascam and the Digi 002 will work well for what you want. It all depends on which features you want and IF you want to use Pro Tools too.
Likewise, I also recommend looking at the M-Audio Project Mix I/O. It's a decent price with a lot of features. It just doesn't come with any software...but you can purchase that separately (either M-Powered Pro Tools or any other program).
Hope all that helps.
). It was purely information, and to the best of my knowledge 100% correct as well
especialy cubase,there i said it!