[sparqee]

I use a hardware mixer to route all of my hardware audio (Keyboard, synth rack, etc.) but I use the virtual mixer in Cubase to actually do my mixing. I know that some people really prefer having physical knobs & faders but for me software works just fine.

As for a midi controller; I use my Yamaha S90 but I don't really do anything fancy with it. I play it and it sends all midi data in channel 1 into Cubase. If I want to do anything fancy (splits, layers, etc.) I do that in Cubase (e.g. keymaps & midi plugins). So as far as the hardware goes the only thing that is really important to me is that the keyboard action is good and that I have at least a couple of wheels and pedals to use as continuous controllers.