Multiple SynthMaster Tracks MAY cause Reaper Crashes

[RangeKVR]

I'm running Windows 8.1 64 bit on a Dell Inspiron SE laptop with 8GB RAM, 8x i7 2.4Ghz CPU's and more than enough hard disk both internal and external. Running SynthMaster 2.6x (the latest version as of today), using the Roland Quad-Capture (driver version 1.52 = most current) and the latest REAPER V 4.77 (current) 64bit. I am the "Administrator" on this laptop and have Full Permissions.

I am running two tracks of EZ Drummer 2, and 6 MIDI tracks with SynthMaster assigned as the Playback engine and an empty track assigned to a guitar amp VST called AmpLion Pro.

When I audition a 7th SynthMaster track (not even in RECORD MIDI mode) just to audition patches, it causes REAPER to crash. After the information is, supposedly, sent to Microsoft, REAPER, "appears" to be shutdown and terminated. However, when I go into Task Manager I see that REAPER is still on the "Background Processes" list. When I attempt to END SESSION it responds I do not have permission to END this process.

If I try to bring REAPER back up, REAPER will immediately send a PopUp message that my USB Interface could not be found (yet the Quad Capture is initialized and functional confirmed by LEDs on the unit) and would I like to check my configuration? (REAPER will not play ANY tracks whether MIDI or .wav) I respond: Yes - it takes me to the ASIO config, where Quad Capture is confirmed as the ASIO device BUT... the #1 & #2 Inputs are blanked out and can not be changed so, obviously, they are no longer recognized and my recording session is hosed and the ONLY thing that will set things back up to snuff is a REBOOT!!

When I check Task Manager, REAPER is only using 38% of RAM so, my suspicion is that multiple instances of the SynthMaster VST might, and I reiterate... MIGHT... be causing the problem.

As I stated before, my problems started when I tried to "audition" a 7th MIDI track using SynthMaster.
REAPER has NEVER crashed on me before and I've had tons of .wav tracks and EZ Drummer 2 tracks going at the same time.

I have a pretty hefty background in computer programming and Unix Shell scripting, HTML etc so let's just say the integrity of my laptop and it's configuration is moot, but I'm also open minded... that's why I'm here posting.