Soundblaster Live can handle up to half of your computer's ram if you upgrade to the Liveware 3.0 package. ( It is freeware from Creative labs and should still be available for download ). Another point to consider is that with Audigy there were many user complaints concerning soundfont play. I haven't followed up to see if these have been addressed, but if you are considering an "upgrade" from SBL to Audigy it is worthwhile to look into. The primary reason I use SBL is for soundfont play. I ultimately passed on the Audigy and installed a Delta Audiophile 2448 card for audio work instead.

I agree with you Wazza about the freeware soundfonts. Another thing to consider though... Effects. I'm sure Frank can point you in a better direction than I can, as my experience is somewhat limited with computer wavetables, but I tried something that enhanced the way my soundfonts sound. I routed them out at low level directly into my arranger Keyboard's input ( The PA80 ). The PA80 has excellent effects that can be imposed upon any input into the machine. It makes a world of difference. If I want to record the finished product I merely send it back out to my audiophile soundcard. Since SB live seems to sync almost perfectly with my playing, I can add a soundfont sample to what I'm already playing on the PA80 and enhance the sound or make a new layer. I'm sure that there ways to enhance the effects in real time from within the computer, but although I dabbled a little with a couple of programs, I had some latency issues with them.

AJ