@ flyfisher
I've tried many sound cards with various input options, ended up with a control surface combined with an audio interface, the Digi 002, running pro tools LE8. I much prefer this set up, plug it in and off ya go, works outside of pro tools in standalone mode too
I was a cubase user, and have nothing bad to say about it, but when it came to using a control surface with software, pro tools seemed to have the edge. Pro tools LE systems are built to work with hard ware so they do the job well (not suggesting other DAW software doesn't though)
You can pick a used Digi 002 up for between £400 and £500 as the current model is the 003
Tony
Hope that helps