I run Sonar 8.5.3 64:
 
I've got to shop for a new one ... my RME ff400 is causing BSODs with latest drivers (on several computers).
 
Please recommend.  Money is no object, I already have excellent pre's for guitar and vocs so the interface need not have phantom power.
 
... but I'd hope to get a sweet USB (preferably not firewire nor PCI) sound interface; thank you for your thoughts.

I use a USB 2.0 Multimix8 preamp by Alesis, and its treated me very well. You can get the Multimix16 model too.

Only thing that I dislike about it is that you have to email Alesis for the 64 bit drivers, because they are not on the website, but other than that its worked wonders for me (it has phantom power, though).

My new laptop has USB 3.0, so im waiting for a new model to come out :]
apparently USB 3.0 is 6x faster than firewire :0

I have FF800 and had problem with Win7 64 until I back-graded both drivers and firmware - now runs flawlessly ...

i love my vs-100. Flawless

Hi Philip,
 
FWIW, Don't throw the baby out with the bath water... (so to speak)
 
You've experienced some problems with the FF...  but they are fantastic units.
Assuming yours is in proper working order (not defective), it's not ruining motherboards/controllers/etc. 
First thing I'd do is have RME swap out your unit.
Then, I'd go back to your DAW... and test all the core hardware.  If that checks out OK, add a good PCI/e TI chipset FW controller.
You may need to roll back a driver/firmware version... if the latest driver is causing problems.  FWIW, That happens occasionally with many different audio interfaces.
 
You've got a great audio interface.  No need to look for something else...
Rather, spend some time trouble-shooting... and get your FF working.  In the end, you'll be glad you did.

Mine is the V-Studio 700 http://garrigus.com/?VStudio700

Scott

--
Scott R. Garrigus - Author of the Cakewalk Sonar and Sony Sound Forge Power book series. Get Sonar 8 Power - Today! Go to: http://www.garrigus.com/  - http://www.musictechshop.com/ - http://www.cooltechshop.com/

Publisher of DigiFreq - free music technology newsletter. Win a free SoundTech Vocal Trainer Package, go to: http://www.digifreq.com/digifreq/

Publisher of NewTechReview - free consumer technology newsletter. Win a free i2i Stream Wireless Music Pack, go to: http://www.newtechreview.com/newtechreview/

garrigus


Mine is the V-Studio 700 http://garrigus.com/?VStudio700

still not shipped it huh?

I am having issue with my ozone + win7, but gonna have to investigate if it's their new drivers..

Fog: Ozone + win7 64 bit has worked fine for me (other than a little latency and confusing it with the 32-bit version.

Garrigus: I'd love to get my hands on the V$studio 700 for a partial rebate seeing I have S8.5.3.

Jim Roseberry (and MatsonBox):  My RME FF400 is a strongly suspected motherboard destroyer (at least 3 of mine);
... and RME tech support has failed 5-10 times for me.  (I'm in the US). 

... I spent the time troubleshooting with Dell (chipset, etc.). 
... Heck, every time I turn on/off the RME FF400, a bolt blows the speakers! 
... The problem was worsened by the latest firmwear drivers.
(I will try, again, to have "RME swap out the unit" ... but I'm not holding my breath (from past experience with RME!))

MiykPace:  That's the other thing; USB 3.  Firewire is obsolete!  But emailing for drivers is just weird for me.  The USB 2.0 Multimix8 preamp by Alesis, etc. I'll research.

I'm strongly considering cw's UA 101 ($500) ... a safe-humble option (I'm certain my ears won't tell the difference!)

WHYZ: Thanks again for chiming.  I will definitely research the vs-100.

Fog

garrigus


Mine is the V-Studio 700 http://garrigus.com/?VStudio700

still not shipped it huh?

Nope, you'll have to come here and pick it up. Shipping costs too much these days.

Scott

--
Scott R. Garrigus - Author of the Cakewalk Sonar and Sony Sound Forge Power book series. Get Sonar 8 Power - Today! Go to: http://www.garrigus.com/  - http://www.musictechshop.com/ - http://www.cooltechshop.com/

Publisher of DigiFreq - free music technology newsletter. Win a free SoundTech Vocal Trainer Package, go to: http://www.digifreq.com/digifreq/

Publisher of NewTechReview - free consumer technology newsletter. Win a free i2i Stream Wireless Music Pack, go to: http://www.newtechreview.com/newtechreview/

I'm still using the same 'ole Frontier Dakota card that Jim Roseberry sold me many years ago.  It's been through Win 98, Win Me, Win XP and now Win 7 x64.