If you want to control the on-screen faders with real faders on your mixer, then digital is the only option. Yamaha desks are nice, but there are many others. Just remember that when you are researching them, they are more likely to be called "Control Surfaces".
In some cases, a control surface is dedicated to one program.
Pro Tools, in its standard version, needs a Digidesign control surface. The LE and M powered versions will work with other interfaces, but need a control surface which is compatible with the Mackie HUI standard.
Some control surfaces are only that, others, like the Digidesign 003 (and 002) will do the job of control surface and audio interface, pre-amps etc.
It's a complex subject, and I'd recommend that you talk to someone locally- someone in the 'proper studio' perhaps.
I'd just like to add a comment about quality. If you are using the recording as a notepad, just to record work in progress, then I agree that quality does not matter. If on the other hand, as the original post suggested, you are offering a recording service to anyone else or attempting to produce CDs for sale, then you should always record to a professional standard. Anything less is tantamount to deception.
The test is to play your track back to back with a commercial release. The levels should be the same, and the sound as good.
Good enough for Folk should not apply. Perfect is good enough.
Cheers
Dave