Connecting to a Computer via the 
USB COMPUTER Port
If you use a USB cable (sold separately) to connect the USB 
COMPUTER port located on the RD-800’s rear panel to the USB port 
of your computer, you’ll be able to do the following things.
•  Use the RD-800 to play SMF music les played back by MIDI 
compatible software.
•  By transferring MIDI data between the RD-800 and your 
sequencer software, you’ll be able to enjoy a wide range of 
possibilities for music production and editing.
NOTE
Refer to the Roland website for system requirements.
Roland website:
http://www.roland.com/
Depending on the type of computer you’re using, this may not 
operate correctly.
For details on supported operating systems, refer to the Roland 
website.
You can download the original driver from the Roland website.
Specify the USB driver you want to use, and then install the 
driver. For details, refer to “Switching USB Drivers” (p. 53).
Caution
•  To avoid the risk of malfunction and/or speaker damage, always 
make sure to turn the volume all the way down and turn o the 
power on all equipment before you make any connections.
•  Only MIDI data can be transmitted and received via USB.
•  A USB cable is not included. If you need to obtain one, ask the 
dealer where you purchased the RD-800.
•  Switch on power to the RD-800 before you start up the MIDI 
application on your computer. Don’t turn the RD-800 on/o 
while your MIDI application is running.
Switching USB Drivers
The USB driver to be used when a computer is connected to the 
USB COMPUTER port is determined as follows:
1.  Press the [MENU] button.
2.  Press the Cursor [ ] [ ] buttons to select “System,” and 
then press the [ENTER] button.
3.  Press the Cursor [ ] [ ] buttons to move the cursor to “USB 
Driver.”
4.  Use the [DEC] [INC] buttons or the value dial to select the 
USB driver you want to use.
Parameter Value Explanation
USB Driver
ORIGINAL
Choose this if you’re using the USB driver 
downloaded from the Roland website.
GENERIC
Choose this if you’re using the default USB 
driver that came with your computer.
5.  Press the [WRITE] button.
6.  Turn the RD-800 o, then on again.
Using the RD-800 As a USB MIDI 
Interface
If the RD-800 is connected to your computer, performance data 
from a MIDI device connected to the RD-800’s MIDI IN connector 
can be sent to your computer.
Parameter Value Explanation
USB MIDI Thru 
Switch
OFF
Performance data from the device 
connected to the RD-800’s MIDI IN connector 
will not be sent to your computer.
ON
Performance data from the device 
connected to the RD-800’s MIDI IN connector 
will be sent to your computer.
What is the USB MIDI Driver?
The USB MIDI Driver is a software which passes data between 
the RD-800 and the application (sequencer software, etc.) that is 
running on the USB-connected computer.
The USB MIDI Driver sends data from the application to the 
RD-800, and passes data from the RD-800 to the application.
Application
USB 
Driver
Computer
USB port
RD-800
USB cable
USB COMPUTER port
Connecting to Your Computer
53