I've heard some good things about the nocturn with the auto configuration thing for plug ins.
I use a BCF, I like it. If you use cubase it's easy to setup just use mackie emulation mode.
I have the mixer configured different ways in different workspaces(or screensets) and when I jump to them it jumps to the new setup, pretty neat.
I don't do that much mixing, but it seems ok.
Depends on your approach to mixing, I looked at alpha and fader port and was tempted but went with the BCF
This is the best thing ever invented,
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I do a lot of the commands in cubase and all but what is really nice is you can create keystroke macro's so any set of commands that can be done with keys, you can make up a macro. Great for Stop recording, rewind, delete that take, set up for new take, all with one button push.