Hardware mixer + audio does not automatically equal warmth.
However, yes, there may be something in "analogue summing" that software may not be able to presently match; yes, having a hardware mixer puts your head into the correct state of mind to mix in a correct fashion (taking care of the signal flow [setting correct nominal settings, et al] and headroom); yes, having a hardware mixer uses 0% DSP; and yes, depending on the mixer (ie. not behringer) it may give you a much smoother and more musical EQ...
On the other hand there are other major considerations to balance it out. Yes, it adds more noise; yes, you need loads of cables and considerations to correct wiring; yes, hardware mixers require ongoing maintenance; yes, there's no automation (unless you have more upmarket mixers with automated VCAs)...
But, it's fun! And all them VU meters bouncin around n stuff.
And KNOBS! real ones! not crappy virtual ones that you scrat around a screen using a mouse while giving yourself RSI.
I decided to go for the best of both worlds. A computer with a multi-channel i/o soundcard and a hardware mixer, bringing out samples and streams from the computer onto the desk, mixing them with the hardware synths, and pushing them back into the computer for effects and stuff. As well as using the mixer's extra channels for creative stuff.
However, there is the ideology that using a computer to mix can give equally if not better results, you just need to know how to use it properly and get rid of previous entrenched, ingrained (mis)conceptions about mixing (ie. feeling the "need to get as close to 0dB without clipping when tracking in order to obtain the best SNR (when using 24-bits)" << that's one of the biggest, along with "must normalise, must normalise").
If you use a software mixer as if you would a hardware one, then you're going down the correct road.
To Normalise, or not to Normalise
Analogue summing [Neve 8816]
Forum thread regards an article written by a certain "Roger Nichols", regards analogue vs. digital. (The actual article of which is below \/ )
"I (supposedly) heard the mixing buss in Pro Tools is no good. Everyone says I should mix through an external analogue summing buss??" - A frequently asked question answered by Roger Nichols.
Roger Nichols: How to mix
If ever you want to learn about analogue and especially digital, and the misconceptions of each, follow this man around like a bad smell:- [
Hugh Robjohns] (Sound On Sound technical editor)