To be honest, I just yank out the plugs, and don't do a safely-remove-hardware, and have never had a problem.
If you're writing a file, you should wait a few seconds extra before doing it.
And if its a crtical file, then safely-remove-hardware.
This fits in the same category as shutting down your PC by holding the power button for 5 seconds - it works, but you can lose data, and it isn't the recommended way.


Have Fun!
Peter Gannon
PG Music Inc.