The FA-06, FA-07 and FA-08 can connect to a computer so they can be integrated with music software applications. There are two ways to make this connection:
- Direct USB connection. This will use a standard USB cable connected to the square "USB COMPUTER" port on the back of the FA-06/07/08 and then to a standard USB port on your computer.
or
- Connection using a MIDI or Audio/MIDI interface. This will use the MIDI In and MIDI Out ports as well as the Main Out (Left/Right) jacks on the back panel of the FA-06/07/08, which will connect to the interface, and the interface will then connect to a standard USB port on your computer.
The functionality and operation of the FA-06/07/08 and your computer-based application(s) will be the same no matter which type of connection you are using - the only difference is how the MIDI and Audio signals are routed.
Connecting your FA-06/07/08 to a computer using the direct USB connection
- On the FA-06/07/08, press MENU.
- Cursor to "System" and press ENTER.
- Use the </> buttons to select the "General" tab at the top of the screen.
- Cursor to "USB Driver" and set this to "Vender (MIDI+Audio)."
- Press the #6 button under the screen ("System Write") to save this setting.
- Download and install the FA-06/07/08 USB driver for your computer and connect the USB cable. You can download the latest drivers from our website: https://www.roland.com/global/support/by_product/fa-08/updates_drivers/
Make sure you download the driver that corresponds to the type of computer you have (Mac or Windows-based) and the version of operating system you are using. Once downloaded, you will need to run the setup application to install the driver into your system. This may include re-starting your computer.
Note: If you are using a Windows 10 or 11 computer, the driver will be automatically downloaded and installed when you connect the FA-06/07/08 to your computer. - Confirm that the USB driver is installed correctly and that the computer is communicating correctly with the FA-06/08.
- On a Macintosh, look in the Audio MIDI Setup utility and confirm that the FA-06/08 is listed in both the Audio and MIDI Studio windows.
- On a PC, open the Device Manager and confirm that the FA-06/08 is listed under "Sound, video, and game controllers."
- Activate or enable the FA-06/07/08 in your music software.
You will need to consult with the documentation for your specific application for this, but usually there is a preferences menu where you will need to enable the FA-06/07/08 so it can be used by your software. This will allow you to transfer both MIDI and Audio data between the FA-06/07/08 and your computer.
Connecting your FA-06/07/08 to a computer using a separate MIDI or Audio/MIDI interface
- Download and install the USB driver for your the interface (if necessary).
- Confirm that the USB driver is installed correctly and that the computer is communicating correctly with the interface.
- On a Macintosh, look in the Audio MIDI Setup utility and confirm that the interface is listed in both the Audio and MIDI Studio windows if it is a Audio and MIDI interface, or only in the MIDI Studio window if it is a MIDI interface.
- On a PC, open the Device Manager and confirm that the interface is listed under "Sound, video, and game controllers."
- Activate or enable the interface in your music software. You will need to consult with the documentation for your specific application for this.
- Connect the FA-06/07/08 to the interface.
DAW Control Mode
The FA-06/07/08 has a "DAW Control Mode" that can be used to access and control features and controls within your software application. It is not necessary to use this mode when interfacing with a computer, but it can provide additional control.