DAWless is a PITA and expensive
I wish I wasn't so enthusiastic about making music outside of the DAW, because it really does make life harder in terms of connectivity. Not to mention that buying the interfaces and cables necessary to make things work conveniently will cost about as much as a premium synth.
I currently have four sound-generating devices, not including my computer, plus an FX pedal. Connecting them requires TRS audio cables, MIDI cables, USB cables, and of course, power cables.
Audio connectivity
All the sound generators are connected via TRS audio cables to a mixer, where their outputs are merged together to taste. The output of the mixer then goes to the computer via an audio interface. From there it goes out to the speakers. There's a hilarious number of volume knobs that each signal passes through.
It also takes a fuckton of cables. I'm currently using 1 XLR cable and 13 TRS cables. It's about $10 each so let's say $150 after tax. I also paid $125 for a used Mackie Mix12FX mixer, which is on the low end. I won't include the cost of the audio interface because you'd probably want one even if you're fully in the box (doing everything in the DAW).
Total audio cost now: $275
Total audio cost future: $325 because I anticipate having to buy at least five more TRS cables for future synths and devices
MIDI connectivity
The sound generators also need to know what notes to play, which is passed via MIDI data. All of them can both send and receive MIDI. MIDI can be sent over USB, but this typically introduces jitter as well as noise, and is best avoided. Some synths have a MIDI-Thru input that makes it possible to daisy chain devices, but that also has its complications. The best and simplest method is to use a MIDI hub.
Simplest doesn't mean simple, though. I want to send note data out to all my instruments with my MIDI controller. But I have more than one possible source of MIDI data. The computer can also send MIDI data. So can my piano. And if I don't want to send that over USB, then I need a way to both merge multiple incoming MIDI signals, as well as split the result into multiple outgoing signals.
There's a MIDI hub device I could buy that solves all these issues. It's $180 for the smaller budget version. I just have a $53 splitter box for now and dealing with USB when I have to. It's about $7 per cable and I am using five, so that's another $35.
Total MIDI cost now: $88
Total MIDI cost later: ~$250. I could sell the current hub but I'd probably keep it, could be handy
USB connectivity
As mentioned, it's preferable to avoid USB. Even if you completely avoid using it for MIDI, it still adds noise to the system. My TR-6S, for example, is quite noisy when plugged in via USB, even though it has a Ferrite choke. My piano's USB connection is also noisy. However, there are still reasons to use USB. The TR-6S is powered by it, and it churns through four batteries quite quickly so it's not feasible to keep it unplugged at all times. My Minibrute 2S has settings that can only be configured on the computer when connected via USB. If I want to manage patches or add new wavetables to my Novation Peak, I need USB. My MIDI splitter hub is powered by USB. So is my audio interface.
In other words, a USB hub is needed, and one with a good number of inputs. About $30. And not all of these devices come with the necessary USB A-to-B cables, especially when purchased used. I've had to purchase two for about $20 total.
Total USB cost now: $50
Not sure about future.
Back to audio
Even with a well set-up mixer, audio connectivity is still a hassle. My Mackie Mix12FX mixer has a single mono FX output, which is currently going out to my single Pro Co RAT distortion pedal. The output of the pedal is plugged back into one of the mixer's inputs. This is a basic FX send setup. But what if I want to change it? The Peak and TR-6S both have built-in distortion effects, so what if just wanted to insert the RAT into the Minibrute's signal chain only, instead of using it as a send? Then I'd have to do a bunch of rewiring.
I eventually intend to get a sampler and some Eurorack modules. This will inevitably involve sending the output of some of my other devices to their inputs. Again, more rewiring needed, and there will not be a single fixed solution. The ability to make break connections and make new ones needs to be built into the setup.
That means getting an audio patch bay. More money spent, more space used, more cables required. Looks cool though. I've done a mockup and determined that with my planned setup I could use almost all of the patch points in a 48-point bay. Costs about $130 and another $35 for 8 short cables.
Total patch bay cost now: $0
Total patch bay cost future: $165
Mounts
If you're going DAWless, you'll need hardware instruments, and that means you'll need a place to put them. I'm just working at a single desk and don't have the room to expand beyond. I've managed to really maximize the space with mounts, including wall mounts. I raised my speakers to give myself more desk space. I mounted my primary monitor to the wall to make room under it. My mixer is stuck to a monitor wall mount with command strips so it uses far less space while still being movable. I bought a KVgear mount to stack the Minibrute above the Peak on my desk.
There's a lot of options here, but for me that was about another $190.
Expensive AF
So I'm looking at about $600 spent so far just for the sake of DAWless connectivity. No synths, no pedals, no keyboards included. None of the fun stuff. And I may spend an additional $330 for a total of $930 to make the setup properly usable, accessible, patchable, and convenient to use without having to constantly redo cable management or pull things in and out of storage.
And that's only half the price of a small Eurorack setup! LOL this hobby will financially ruin me