I've got it fired up now, connected to this 8 year old HP laptop running Windows 10. I've got e-mail and several browsers open. I set the buffers at 2X64 with all 18 channels assigned. The load is bouncing between 2 and 4 % with one slipped buffer. ALWAYS when I first engage the engine, I get one dropped buffer. I found that to be the case with a Focusrite 1820 USB interface as well. Anyway, after looking at and deleting some e-mails while SAC has been running for about 15 minutes, I now have only 2 slipped buffers.
I just added 5 bands of e.q., compression and three aux sends to all 18 channels. That increased the load, bouncing between 10 and 12%, but added no slipped buffers. Rapidly hitting F keys adds no slipped buffers. It's been running for about 25 minutes now and I'm still checking e-mail with no negative effect... still only 2 slipped buffers.
Added 4 monitor sends of all 18 channels. Increased load to 15%. No additional slipped buffers.
Added 5 bands of e.q. to all four monitors on all 18 channels. Increased load to 38%. No additional slipped buffers.
Added compression to all four monitors on all 18 channels. Increased load to 49%. Still has only two slipped buffers.
I'd say it's worth giving it a try. I bought mine here:
http://stores.ebay.com/vipproaudioinc/ It was listed as an "open box display model", but it looked like a brand new product in undisturbed packaging. I paid around $250 for it.
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