Are you looking for better GM sound set (VST, Soundfont, etc) or an actual external sound card? Most of the suggestions deal with the former. I'm running W8.1 and switch between the VSC (which I actually prefer) and the TTS-1 for sound sources for generic GM2 playback. The VSC is discontinued and no longer installable or supported on x64 as noted, but offers SC88 sound sets and there are some work arounds for it. Spending ~$300 on a SampleTank just to do GM/GS stuff is not wise. Both work for just simple audition/midi rec/play needs.

Now, if you're actually asking about an external sound card (ie. digital to audio interface, for both inputs and outputs), then that's a different question entirely. For those using mostly Real and/or User Tracks, that is an important distinction.

For the second option, I use a UA4-FX which is a USB device with a raft of I/O options and even pretty nice (and easy to use) effects. It doesn't have 'fancy' mic preamp stuff, but records from line and XLR inputs (quite nicely thank you) upto 24b/96Khz as needed. I seldom even venture into video (24b/48K) myself however since I'm happy with CD audio. It is also pretty much legacy gear now though as well, but did get x64 driver updates.

You really need to define your connectivity needs. Mine included a MIDI I/O to USB and RCA I/O's which are really handy for attaching my external Spirit HW mixer to the PC via the UA4.

Actually, it sounds like you're just looking for a better sounding GM/GS PnP sound set option. Most of those are legacy SW items now, though very handy to have some around. There's another recent thread on this same topic.

Last edited by GravityWave; 02/12/15 07:15 AM.