I took the laptop out last night.

I recorded with RME DigiCheck and ran sound using RME TotalMix. Sample buffer was at the max. Windows defender was disabled. Network interface was disabled. Prior to doing the gig latency Mon said I was good to go after running it for hours.

First set was twelve tracks at 24 bit 96Ks/s. This came out fine. 13 GB in size.

Second set I reduced to eight tracks, still 24 96. There was nothing usable. 2 GB in size. Skips along.

Got home, and saw Windows using the C drive near capacity. During the gig, I was writing audio data to the D drive.

I hate Windows. Why can't I get a low latency build that doesn't hose me up like with Linux? If I could get RME tools on Linux, I would drop Windows and never look back.

I remember ten years ago telling a friend to go with sonar because it was sixty four bit with the bridge. Now, if I had it to do over, I'm afraid I'd have to go Mac. It is just such a bummer to not be able to use your OS to make a reliable recording. And I'm not talking about most of the time. If it was me recording friends and we could just do it again, no problem. But this was a live gig. It can't be redone. The bottom line is Windows is just unreliable.

I need my laptop, dedicated to only making mobile recordings, to work ALL THE TIME.

I know I'm throwing a fit. I'm 3 years old.

I know I'll work it out in time. Maybe after doing ten more throw away live gigs the new Windows ten installation will settle down and work reliably. I'm guessing Windows decided to NGen code during the gig. So help me I want to scream.

If I had gotten the UFX instead of the UCX, I could just record to a memory stick. You'd think I could use Windows as efficiently as a memory stick. But no, I can't.

I expect some may want to help advise me. I'll be thankful. I'm really posting to get some compassion for the loss of the recording.

Sods law always happens in live. Famous producer friend of mine had exactly the same scenario with Pro Tools and Mac paid gig. Dropped out several times.IMHO if it's that critical one should have two recording rigs.

I would avoid 96 and do 48 myself, Ironically it worked fine in your scenario.

I agree about Linux. If you are just recording you could use Ardour with Ubtunu studio if you don't need VST support,assuming it gives you an audio interface driver is supported. Works just fine with a saffire Pro 40.

Thanks Alex. I know, I have to chill.

I know Mac doesn't always work either.

For a live gig, I want buffers all the way up and zero latency monitoring. This means Mac or Windows. Without RME TotalMix on Linux, monitoring is on the other side of the buffer.

I'm also a bit curious...why do you run at 96??
 

I had the option and the computer has handled that rate without issue in the past. Even yesterday it recorded 12 tracks at 96 without issue for hours. When I went down to eight I had the issue every few seconds. The problem was Windows, not the interface, not the hard drive.

I figure 96 gives me high fidelity while leaving more headroom in case of peaks.

Windoze Event viewer?

well I guess the simple rule that if it ain't broke, don't fix it- applies. don't change settings if it works. that's not w10- that's just rule of thumb for everything.
 
if it's any consolation- your lesson is not in vain if others can all learn something from it.
sorry for your troubles

FWIW the studio I worked in decades ago had 24 track x 2 analogue in the mobile van. We had a multitrack tape in the cupboard (recorded for the cures 'entreat' album)... Saying it was missing part of a song (big caps on the ampex reel saying SORRY! In big letters). Even before digital t'was a problem.
 
(Edited for brain fart).

Wow. Cool story! Thanks Doc!
 
I'll back it down to 48 and make another recording. That one wasn't meant to be.

Edit:
Let me clarify...
With Win10 being fairly fresh off the press, there could be outstanding issues that affect performance (in a particular scenario).
That said, Win10 has been working pretty well for a lot of folks/scenarios.
The issue most likely isn't the OS.
 
I'm sure the experience was extremely frustrating
 
A typical laptop isn't built for the purpose of sustained maximum data thru-put.
A laptop is a very tight space.  To keep heat in check, performance compromises have to be made.
The harder you push the performance envelope, the more of an issue this becomes.
If you've used a MacBook Pro to record mobile sessions... you know they get hot enough to fry an egg!
They're subject to the same laws of physics (Linux and OSX won't change this).   
 
Top-tier (Clevo based) custom laptops have a larger "beefy" shell... and can be configured with custom BIOS.
These machines have no trouble recording 8 channels of 24Bit/96k audio.
But... they're considerably larger/heavier than most laptops... and they're considerably more expensive.
Performance wise, these laptops are closer to a "desktop replacement"... but they're still not an equal.
ie: Top-tier CPU cooling can't be used due to space constraints.  Compromises have to be made...
 
Some would consider it a PITA, but I prefer a "Cube" over a laptop for mobile work.
You truly have the speed of a desktop... with none of the limitations of a laptop.
Downside; you have to drag a small monitor and keyboard/mouse.  
The upside is that you never have to worry about performance.
If you're using it to play soft-synths, you can create dense splits/layers of the best virtual instruments... and play them glitch-free at the RME's smallest 48-sample ASIO buffer size.
Tracking (even high-res) would be a breeze...
 
If you just want to track live audio (and latency is not a factor), consider using an iPAD (connected to the RME).
You'd be able to record 8 channels of clean 24Bit/96k audio... with minimal cartage.
Downside; transferring audio to your DAW would be a little slow.
 
Not trying to throw salt into the wound...