windows 10 Frequent BSOD when using USB audio interfaces

[Guest PhilBagshaw]

Hello!

 

 

This is a problem I've had over multiple Windows 10 systems and multiple USB audio interfaces (And prior to Windows 10 as well). I'm honestly not expecting a "fix" since it seems to be built in to the way Windows handles Audio (and is also a major reason why I use Mac at the studio!)

 

 

So I use my PC at home for gaming and occasionally recording music at home. I'm currently using M-Audio M-Track II as my primary sound card, direct through USB. I like to have audio control on my desk with headphone, microphone, speakers and other IO directly accessible without having to squeeze behind my PC.

 

 

Everything works fine 95% of the time, but, fairly frequently (I'd say at least once every 2 days, with my PC averaging of 4 hours use per day) I get BSOD, my system freezes and restarts. Everything is fine and my PC restarts quickly and there's no problem for another 2 days or so, but the cause is ALWAYS my USB audio device. Like I mentioned it's currently M-Audio M-Track II but I had exactly the same problem with my Avid Fast-Track and also a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2. I have used these USB sound cards in very similar manner, full time, on my Mac and also when booted in Linux, and yes occasionally the data buffer loses a packet of data and there's a glitch, and I have to restart an application, but only on Windows do I get the BSOD. Every time.

 

 

Honestly I'd rather deal with this than not have my audio controls and IO on my desk. No I don't want to go and buy some crappy Asus or Creative device. With this happening on 3 seperate PCs, with 3 separate USB interfaces, all logic points to this being a Windows issue.

 

 

If anyone has similar experiences and figured out some sort of workaround, that'd be awesome! Basically it would be nice if the audio just cut out or the program I'm using crashes instead of the entire operating system; what is this, windows 98? ;P

 

 

Thanks very much for reading my ranting drivel!

 

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