The FP-80 can be connected to a computer for use 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 FP-80 and then to a standard USB port on your computer.
or
- Connection using a MIDI interface. This will use the MIDI In and MIDI Out ports on the back panel of the FP-80, 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 a MIDI or 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 FP-80 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 signals are routed.
Note: if you wish to route the sound (audio) of the FP-80 into a computer, you will need to use an Audio Interface.
Connecting your FP-80 to a computer using the direct USB connection
1. On the FP-80, press the SONG and RHYTHM buttons simultaneously to enter Function Mode.
2. Use the </> (slow/fast) buttons to select "USB Driver" then use the +/- buttons to set this to "Original."
3. Use the </> (slow/fast) buttons to select "Memory Backup" then press the METRONOME button followed by the > (fast) button to save your settings
4. Power the FP-80 Off, then back On.
5. Download and install the FP-80 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.
6. Confirm that the USB driver is installed correctly and that the computer is communicating correctly with the FP-80.
- On a Macintosh, look in the Audio MIDI Setup utility and confirm that the FP-80 is listed in the MIDI Studio window.
- On a PC, open the Device Manager and confirm that the FP-80 is listed under "Sound, video, and game controllers."
7. Activate or enable the FP-80 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 FP-80 so it can be used by your software.
This will allow you to transfer MIDI between the FP-80 and your computer.
Note: If you are connecting to a computer for which there is no USB driver available, you can change the USB Driver mode in the FP-80 to "Generic" (see steps 1-4 above). This will allow the FP-80 to connect to your computer (Mac or PC) without requiring a Roland USB driver.
Connecting your FP-80 to a computer using a separate MIDI or 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 n 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 FP-80 to the interface.