Really it comes down to what kinda work your doing.
Most 32 channel desks have atleast 4 busses, which is fine for most stuff. Smaller audio interfaces with 192/96 are rediculously cheap anyway so it shouldnt be a problem.
If ur jsut working with samplers, sound modules, synths e.t.c you could always just use ur comp as a midi sequencer. Everyone hates midi to begin with, but its very flexable, cheap, and dosent eat ur comp up. Just hook each divice to its own channel on ur desk.
Btw I gotta ask..... how could someone get their hands on a decent 32 channel without knowing how to hook it up? Are u asking for any reason, or just to make another thread?