I currently run Cubase 11 on a Windows 10 laptop and I use a Zoom L-12 digital mixer/USB interface to connect guitars, mics etc to it for recording into the DAW.

I'm about to sell my Zoom L-12 to upgrade to a better mixer/interface, however I'm wondering what will happen to my DAW projects in Cubase when I connect a different USB interface/mixer to it? Will I still be able to use the DAW projects ok? On each track in Cubase, the inputs and outputs are routed from and to the inputs/outputs on my Zoom L-12, so will the DAW get confused when I connect a new one, and will I have to re-route all the inputs/outputs again within Cubase?

It would be a shame to lose my hard work on song projects because of a mixer/interface upgrade.

Most DAWs will make a "best guess" as to routing, assuming the I/O quantities are the same.

If not, you simply have to choose the routing again, but your tracks/project settings/plugins, etc. will all be intact.

Yes, as gravyface says, you’ll still be able to open the project but you might need to go in and sort out your input/output routings to match whatever the new interface offers and wherever you want stuff to come from or go to.

I'm curious how your project is coming along. If I recall correctly, you guys were doing the silent stage thing with e-drums and amp sims? Are you recording that way too?

The project is coming along nicely. We have both a 'silent' and backline setup since the drummer recently started playing an acoustic kit in addition to the electronic kit he has. We use the 'silent' setup for recording and home rehearsals, and the backline setup for live gigs and loud rehearsals at a local rehearsal studio.

Short answer is yes.

However, if you open your "Audio Connection" dialogue you'll notice on both the inputs and output tab there's a Presets feature. Saves the current config. Using this feature can save a bit of work here.

If you use the same naming for input channel names and output channel names you'll then be able to make the project more "transport proof"

Use of groups may also reduce the amount of re-configuration you need to go through when moving projects around.

Similar will be true for the MIDI setup as well.