Albert, was my guide not helpful for you ?
http://www.tonstudio-forum.de/blog/inde … rnal-equi/

In one figure you get the basic overview how TM FX integrates into Windows.

You say that DAW mode went "nicer" for you, so lets start to talk about similarities 1st:

In both TotalMix FX modes ("DAW" and "FULL") all input signals are passed through to the DAW inputs.
So if you record something, then all inputs will safely arrive at your DAW to record stuff for all inputs
that you "armed" for recording (hit the red record buttons per track and then hitting record).

As prerequisite you only need to take care in Cubase
- to select the proper ASIO driver and
- in VST connection to add all required Inputs and Output channels (or all if you want) and save these settings in Inputs and Outputs, so that you can access these settings quicker for future recordings

As easy as this DAW mode is, I personally do not like it.
Why ? It doesn't meet my requirements:
1. I am not only working with Cubase. I also need control of routing audio when not using Cubase but Appliations in Windows with Audio Output, i.e.: Youtube, Music Player, Video Editing program.
2. I need to control Durec in TotalMix FX, thats only possible in TotalMix FX full mode.

You say:
> "I load up Cubase and the empty page pops up. At this point, I click the icon for TMFX
> on the third monitor and my mind goes blank."

1st of all you should create a template in Cubase which always loads the proper VST-connections for inputs and outputs.
1. Create a new empty project.
2. Name the channels in VST connections to make all easier to identify ("AN1 SM57", "AN2 XYZ", AN1/2 Main Out) so that you see spoken names which makes it easier to select the proper input and output channels in the Cubase project view.
3. Prepare for each input a track of its own and select proper input channel and to route it to i.e. AN1/2 Main Out.
Save this as a template. You can modify it any time for your demands.

Lets assume you recorded now something. The routing in Cubase goes now to your VST Connection OUT "Analog 1+2"
This refers to the TM Playback channels (middle row) AN1/2.
Now if you playback you see the output on TM playback channel AN1/2 in the middle row.
Now you need to bring this playback to a Hardware Output with either Monitors or Phones behind it.
If you didnt assign yet Output channels for the TM FX control room, then please do so now.
Lets assume for a while your Control Room assignments are:
Main Out -> Analog 1/2
Phones 1 -> Analog 9/10
Now make a submix for Main out and Phones and store them to snapshot 1 and 2.
1. Click to Main Out channel in the control room
2. slowly raise the fader of SW Playback Channel 1/2 (middle row) where the Output of Cubase arrives
    eventually you need to lower the volume of Main Out in TotalMix Control Room (base row right)
3. If you reach pleasent listening volume then save this routing and volume levels to snapshot 1
4. Rename Snapshot 1 to i.e. "Main Out"
Do the same now to create such a routing for phones
5. Click to "Phones1" channel in the control room
6. slowly raise the fader of SW Playback Channel 1/2 (middle row) where the Output of Cubase arrives
    eventually you need to lower the volume of Main Out in TotalMix Control Room (base row right)
7. If you reach pleasent listening volume then save this routing and volume levels to snapshot 2
8. Rename Snapshot 2 to i.e. "Phones 2"

Now you can easily
1. select a Cubase Project from your template with proper VST connections and recording tracks and routing enabled
2. easily switch in TM FX between Snapshot "Main Out" and "Phones1" depending on whether you want to record or listen via Main Monitors or phones.

For Windows applications do the following:
1. In the RME Driver Settings Dialog create 2 WDM Devices for ANalog 1/2 and 9/10
2. In the TAB "Speaker" select Analog 1+2
3. In Windows "sound" settings set "Speakers RME UFX+ USB 3.0" to be the standard output device

So all Windows Applications will send now their sound also to TotalMix PlayBack Channel 1/2, same as Cubase does.

This means also for all Windows Sounds you can use TotalMix FX Snapshots "Main Out" and "Phones1" to select,
whether you want to hear Sound on Monitors or Phones.

If I were you I would store also
- Snapshot 1 "Main out" to the Standalone Profil 1
- Snapshot 2 "Phones 1" to the Standalone Profile 2
of your UFX+. Then you have these 2 basic routings to phones also available in standalone mode, when no computer is connected to UFX+.

Save these TotalMix settings also to "Snapshot" and "Workplace"
-> Save Snapshot as "UFX+ routing"
-> Save Workspace as "UFX+ routing"
-> Workspace Quick Select -> Select Slot 1 -> Save current workspace as "UFX+ routing"
-> Workspace Quick Select -> Select Slot 2 -> Save current workspace as "UFX+ routing (backup)".
Its always good to have a backup workspace, shall you mess things up in Slot 1.

At this point you should connect your ARC USB and be happy to not require the 3rd monitor necessarily,
althogh I find it very comfortably, I have only one screen.
Then by pushing SNAP1 or SNAP2 key you will listen sound through either Monitors or Phones.

You will find out after some time, that it would be nicer to hear what you record by Mics directly inside of TotalMix FX
- to get really ZERO LATENCY recording -
so that you hear i.e. your recorded Mic Signal directly by zero latency monitoring of TotalMix
instead of having the signal to go via USB to the DAW back through USB and then to your ears.

Well then you simply start with Snapshot 1 (to Monitors)
and in "submix mode" you click again in TM FX control room to Main Out.
Now you additionally raise the faders of the Hardware Inputs where your Mics are connected to
and do a very nice mix of Mic recording and Cubase Playback (eventually a backing track).
Save this now as Snapshot 3 (i.e. "Main ZeroL")
The same you can perform now for the phones1 Output in TM FX Control room
and save this to Snapshot 4 (i.e. "Ph1 ZeroL").

Snapshot 4 will be the best while recording, to get no feedback loop.
And will be most comfortably, because you might have a backing track in cubase, play it back while your record,
as you listen to the backing track though Phones1 you will play your guitar and record without noticeably latency.
And it wont produce any feedback as nothing goes via Monitors to the Speakers.

Save all (Snapshot, Workspace, Quick Workplace Select, Standalone profile of UFX+ #3 and #4.

This is so generic now, that you can concentrate of making recordings based on a good Cubase Template
and a couble of TM FX snapshots and eventually also ARC USB.
Then you do not need to think about anything anymore and simply use the environment.
Then you also wont get stressed anymore by screen number 3 with TM FX on it because you have all
the routings there available in 4 Snapshots that you require.

Easier is not possible !

Set in preferences that TM FX settings will override device settings, then you dont get a message box on startup.

Thanks that you enjoy my music.

Perform the above things step by step. There is no need for stress or hurry.

After you have done it you will get the hang out of it to easily fine tune it for your demand

If you do not require all the MADI or even ADAT channels its even possible to hide them
in your TM FX Window by either using Layout Presets or Options->Channel Layout.
This might give you better overview.