The big problem with the Mackie Control protocol is that it only allows 8 channels per MIDI port, so if you want to build up a more serious size console, you need several device connected via multiple MIDI ports, or a bigger device connected by >1 MIDI port.
Is there a manufacturer that offers Linux Software for (better/easier)
configuration?The configuration is all in Ardour, and has basically nothing to do with Linux at all.