| that question can have many answers.
there are five basic categories for mixing:
1) mixing in the computer using a mouse
2) mixing in the computer, but using a midi mixer control interface to make workflow easier (but the mixer passes no audio through it)
3) sending the audio digitally out to a digital mixer and mixing in the digital mixer (actual digital audio is "in" the mixer in this case)
4) sending 16 or so analog lines out to a "summing" mixer like the Dangerous 2 Bus to get analog summing and sweetening with analog outboard
5) sending the tracks out analog to a full size pro mixer, raising your goblet the rock gods and having a blast until you get the electricity bill for that month
#5 is the preferred method for most pros, although cost and convenience will often move people into one of the other situations.
as far as controlling the track information in the daw 1,2,3 and 5 can do that. in situation 4, automation/control is typically left inside the DAW and the analog signals flow passively into the summer for final enhancement.
to answer your question you do not need a digital mixer to control your daw. there are many mixer controllers with motorized faders that can control your DAW without being burdened with the responsibility of also having to take care of a-d, d-a conversions and digital signal processing. so you save space and cost by just having the mixer be a controller.
people who have digital mixers often have a need for a lot of inputs and outputs from the mixer. a person with a small setup doesn't need that. people with tight deadlines such as t.v. broadcast and video edit houses often use digital mixers with very specialized work ergonomics. in these situtations, the mixer is usually part of a carefully integrated technology environment. |