The SH-201 can be connected to a computer so it can be integrated with music software applications as well as the Roland editor application. 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 S-201 and then to a standard USB port on your computer.
or
- Connection using an Audio/MIDI interface. This will use the MIDI In and MIDI Out ports, as well as the Left / Right Audio Outputs on the back panel of the SH-201, which will connect to the interface, and the interface will then connect to a standard USB port on your computer. This is useful it you already have an Audio/MIDI interface connected to your system, or if there is not a USB driver available for your computer.
The functionality and operation of the SH-201 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 Audio and MIDI signals are routed.
Connecting your SH-201 to a computer using the direct USB connection
Note: the last USB drivers released for the SH-201 supported Windows 8 and Mac OSX 10.8 (Mountain Lion). If you are using a later version system, you will need to use a the next section ("Connecting your SH-201 to a computer using a separate Audio/MIDI interface").
1. Download and install the SH-201 USB driver for your computer and connect the USB cable. You can download the latest drivers from our website here.
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.
2. Confirm that the USB driver is installed correctly and that the computer is communicating correctly with the SH-201.
- On a Macintosh, look in the Audio MIDI Setup utility and confirm that the SH-201 is listed in the MIDI Studio window.
- On a PC, open the Device Manager and confirm that the SH-201 is listed under "Sound, video, and game controllers."
3. Activate or enable the SH-201 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 SH-201 so it can be used by your software.
This will allow you to transfer Audio and MIDI between the SH-201 and your computer.
Connecting your SH-201 to a computer using a separate Audio/MIDI interface
1. Download and install the USB driver for your the interface (if necessary).
2. 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."
3. Activate or enable the interface in your music software. You will need to consult with the documentation for your specific application for this.
4. Connect the SH-201 to the interface.