Hi Noel, Good news (I hope!) I managed to change the driver mode to MMME.......let it run through the checks, and it seemed to be OK...........I rebooted and then reinstalled the drivers only from the Creative CD. I've checked and it seems to be working with the buffer that set itself at 300. No crackles...so far! I've recorded a test vocal, and it points to the reverb bus OK. I hope this time it lasts! Thanks, Joe G.