Hi Pat,
Well, hopefully the MIDI Device Configuration settings will eliminate the crashing problem.
For ASIO, it won't show up as a device. It just provides a "fast path" as it were for audio, as opposed to the default Windows MME or Windows Direct Sound. It won't do you any good unless you use a MIDI device other than the default GS Wavetable, as the GS Wavetable interferes with ASIO. You'll need to use something like SynthFont's "MIDI input" feature while using Composer, and setting SynthFont to use the ASIO routing for the audio output.
The "generic" signal path during recording goes like the following:
keyboard -> Composer -> MIDI Device -> audio
When you play your keyboard, the signal goes to Composer, which then (1) records the notes and MIDI controllers (eg. volume, velocity, etc.) and (2) sends the signal on to the MIDI device to create the audible sound by converting the signal to something the audio device (your soundcard) can interpret into sound.
If you want to use SynthFont as the MIDI Device, then you'll need to install a virtual MIDI cable to get the signal from Composer to SynthFont (the MIDI Device). SynthFont can then use the ASIO "route" to get the signal to your audio output (your soundcard).
In that particular case, your signal would look like this:
MIDI Start 25 -(USB cable)-> Composer -(virtual cable)->SynthFont -(ASIO)-> soundcard->speakers/headphones
Hope this helps things make sense
You can search on this forum to find discussions, specifics, and links for SynthFont and virtual MIDI cables, and in the Tutorial Videos for helps as well.
ttfn,
Sherry