I don't know what's the problem with the software mixer. Just take 2mn setting the right analog outs, mute or not the mixers if you want the internal mixer to monitor or not the input, programming the headphones and master knobs to work as you wish, and you're good. It's transparent, as it should be, and you can just work as you're used to inside your DAW. In fact, the software router can be pretty handy the day you need it.
I quite never open it, only for specific uses or to change some setting on a lower level than the DAW itself.
And yeah I use a similar settings to the ^ posts.