As an update, I have tried using 3 different interfaces: a Steinberg UR816C, a Steinberg UR44, & a Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6, & regardless of which interface I used, using my Hotone USB Controller to trigger the Panic mode reset the audio device to the Generic ASIO Driver in all cases. Using the keyboard ESC key did not. I can only conclude that there is something about the Hotone Control USB Controller signal that does not behave as expected when it comes to triggering Panic mode (though it is fine for start/stop, next & prev functions). If I get another midi controller to play with I will test with it. For now, in case of emergency, it looks like we use the laptop keyboard for triggering Panic. Thanks for your help in looking into it all the same.