Yo. Ho ho.

Have recently been advised that I shouldn't really be running everything through the mixer in Cubase, and infact I should be using an outboard desk.

I currently use:

A tapco mini mixer
A focusrite compounder
Alesis Mk1 Active Monitors
A delta 4x4 soundcard

Everything else is software based.

I have been advised to buy a proper mixing desk, which will require a soundcard with more ins and outs (delta 10x10?)

Everything I read and study harps on about the mixing desk being the centre of your studio - is this true? If so can anyone recommend me a good desk in which case? Don't want to spend more than £400, and ideally would like to spend less.