MD-500 Driver Ver.1.0.1 for Windows® 11

(Note)
In no event shall Roland Corporation ("Roland") be liable to end-users for any damages whatsoever, including but not limited to financial damages for loss of business profits or business information arising from the use of, or inability to use this product. The foregoing provision is effective even if Roland has been advised of the possibility of such damages.

Refer to BOSS's Support page for the latest information.
https://www.boss.info/global/support

Driver for Windows 11

Your computer downloads the Windows® 11 driver for MD-500 automatically from the Internet when MD-500 is connected to the computer.

*	To use this driver, you must set the SYSTEM - USB MODE of the MD-500 to "VENDOR."

*	When using a touch-enabled PC, replace the words "click" and "right-click" in this document with "tap" and "press and hold", respectively.

System requirements

Operating System

Microsoft® Windows® 11

 

Computer

Windows-compatible PC equipped with USB port

*	ARM-based PCs are not supported.
*	It cannot be used in a virtual Windows environment.
*	Windows running on Mac is not supported.

Other

Internet connection

*	The Internet connection is needed to download the driver.

Cautions and Limitations

• Never disconnect the plug from the INPUT A jack while the MD-500 is in use. (The power must not be switched off.) Disconnecting the plug may cause faulty operation.
• Sound interruption or other less-than-perfect outcomes may be experienced if your computer's performance and specifications are somewhat inadequate. The types of applications you use and the way in which you use them can also influence the experience you receive.
• If the MD-500 does not work correctly after resuming from Sleep mode, you should exit all applications that use the MD-500, and then turn the power of the MD-500 off and on again.
• If the USB cable is disconnected and reconnected while the MD-500 is in use, or if the power of the MD-500 is turned off, then on again, it may stop operating correctly. If this occurs, after resuming, you should exit all applications that use the MD-500, and turn the power of the MD-500 off, then on again.

Installation

1. Disconnect all USB devices except keyboard and mouse, and then start Windows.
2. Check that the computer is connected to the Internet.
3. Exit the running application.
4. Turn on the power of MD-500 and connect it to the computer using a USB cable.
   The driver will be installed automatically.
5. After several minutes, click the Start button and then click "All apps".
6. Open the BOSS folder.
   If the "MD-500" icon is displayed, the installation is completed.

*	Under normal conditions, the driver installation is completed in several minutes.It may take about 10 minutes depending on the Internet connectivity or if there are other drivers being installed for other devices.
*	A problem may have occurred if MD-500 is connected but cannot be used after waiting for 10 minutes.Refer to "Troubleshooting."

Before you begin

Input/output device settings for your application

In the application(s) that you intend to use, specify the MIDI device they are to use. (For details on this setting, refer to the owner's manual for your application.)

MIDI input/output device

[MIDI OUT devices]

MD-500

MD-500 CTRL

 

[MIDI IN devices]

MD-500

MD-500 CTRL

 

Opening README file

1. Click the "Start" button, and then click "All apps".
2. Open the BOSS folder and then click "MD-500 Readme".

Changing/checking driver settings

Changing/checking driver settings

1. When changing driver settings, always make sure to first quit all applications using the MD-500. This is unnecessary when only checking the settings.
2. Click the "Start" button, and then click "All apps".
3. Open the BOSS folder and then click "MD-500".
4. The "MD-500 Driver Settings" dialog box will appear.

   *	For details on the setting items, refer to "About the items in the Settings dialog box."

About the items in the Settings dialog box

The "Light Load" check box

Normally, you should leave this check box cleared.

*	The modified setting will take effect after you turn the power of the MD-500 on/off.

 

"Show README" button

This button displays the README file (this document).

 

Information

This field shows the driver version.

To reinstall

1. Delete the driver as described in "To uninstall."

   *	When you uninstall, the settings of the Driver Settings dialog box will be initialized. For details on the setting items, refer to "About the items in the Settings dialog box."

2. Install the driver as described in "Installation."

To uninstall

1. Disconnect all USB devices except keyboard and mouse, and then start Windows.

   *	Be sure to also remove the MD-500's USB cable.

2. Exit all applications before you begin the uninstallation.

   *	Please wait for about 10 seconds until these applications exit completely.

3. Click the "Start" button, and then click "Settings."
4. Click "Apps," and then click "Apps & features."
5. In the list, click "⁝" next to MD-500 Driver, and select "Uninstall."

   *	The driver is not installed if MD-500 Driver is not displayed in the list.You do not need to uninstall the driver.

6. If a message confirming the uninstallation appears, click "Uninstall".
7. If a dialog box regarding User Account Control appears, click [Yes].

   *	If you are asked to enter the password for an administrative account, sign in to Windows as a user whose Account Type is Administrator, and then perform the uninstallation.

8. The display will indicate "The installed MD-500 Driver will be uninstalled." and click the [OK].
9. When the message "Uninstallation was completed." is displayed, click [OK] to restart Windows.

Troubleshooting

Cannot install the driver

Check the status of the device

Under normal conditions, the driver installation is completed in several minutes.

If the MD-500 is connected but cannot be used after waiting for 10 minutes, follow the procedure below and check the status of the device.

1. Turn on the power of MD-500 and connect it to the computer using a USB cable.
2. Click the "Start" button, and then click "Settings."
3. Click "System," and then click "About."
4. In Related settings, click "Device Manager."
5. In the View menu, click "Devices by type".
6. Click "Sound, video and game controllers" or "Other devices" to display the MD-500 device.
7. When the MD-500 device appears, double-click it to open the "MD-500 Properties" screen.
8. Under the General tab, check the "Device status" field.

If the message in this field is "This device is working properly.", the driver installation is completed.

Otherwise, the driver installation may have failed.

See other topics in Troubleshooting for driver installation problems.

 

Is your computer connected to Internet?

To install this driver, your PC must be connected to the Internet.

Check that your PC is connected to the Internet (for example by using a Web browser), and then install the driver again by following the steps described in the "Installation" section.

 

Reconnect MD-500

The device recognition may have failed.

Disconnect MD-500's USB cable, turn off the power of MD-500 and turn it on again, and then reconnect it to your PC.

 

If Windows Update is running, you may not be able to install the driver.

When Windows Update is completed, install the driver again according to the Installation procedure.

 

Is the MD-500's SYSTEM - USB MODE set to "VENDOR"?

Be sure to set the MD-500's SYSTEM - USB MODE to "VENDOR."

 

Cannot select/use the MD-500 device

Was the driver installed correctly?

The driver may not be installed properly.See the "Cannot install the driver" section.

If you cannot use MD-500 after the driver is installed, reinstall the driver by following the procedure described in the "To reinstall" section.

 

Could the MD-500 be in use by other software?

Exit all applications that are using the MD-500, and turn the power of the MD-500 off, then on again.
If this does not solve the problem, use the procedure described in "To reinstall" to reinstall the driver.

 

Is the MD-500 MIDI device name displayed?

If the device name is not displayed, exit all applications that are using the MD-500, and turn the power of the MD-500 off, then on again.
If this does not solve the problem, use the procedure described in "To reinstall" to reinstall the driver.

 

Did the computer enter a Sleep mode while the MD-500 was connected with its power turned on?

If the MD-500 does not work correctly after resuming from Sleep mode, you should exit all applications that use the MD-500, and then turn the power of the MD-500 off and on again.

 

Was the USB cable disconnected and reconnected while the MD-500 was being used, or was the power of the MD-500 turned off, then on again?

If the USB cable is disconnected and reconnected while the MD-500 is in use, or if the power of the MD-500 is turned off, then on again, it may no longer operate correctly. If this occurs, exit all applications that are using the MD-500, and turn the power of the MD-500 off, then on again.

 

If the PC is started up while the MD-500 is still connected to the PC with its power turned on, the driver may not be loaded properly and you may not be able to use the MD-500.

In such cases, connect the MD-500 to another USB port or turn on the power of MD-500 after the PC starts up.

 

A number such as "2-" is now displayed at the beginning of the device name

Could you have connected the MD-500 to a different USB port?

If you connect the MD-500 to a different USB port, the operating system may automatically add a number to the beginning of the device name.
Even if this occurs, it will not cause any problems with the operation of the MD-500.

*	If you want to restore the device name that does not have this added number, connect the MD-500 to the same USB port as when you installed it, or reinstall the driver as described in "To reinstall."

No sound is heard; cannot playback or record

Was the driver installed correctly?

 

Could the MD-500 be in use by other software?

 

Did you make settings as described in "Before you begin" so that the MD-500 driver could be used?

The MD-500 cannot be used unless you make these settings. Refer to the sections on "Before you begin."

 

Could you have entered Sleep mode during playback or recording?

If the MD-500 does not work correctly after resuming from Sleep mode, you should exit all applications that use the MD-500, and then turn the power of the MD-500 off and on again.

 

During playback or recording, did you turn the power of the MD-500 on/off, or disconnect and reconnect the USB cable?

If you turn the power of the MD-500 on/off or disconnect and reconnect the USB cable during playback or recording, the MD-500 will no longer be able to play back or record. Stop playback or recording, and then start playback or recording once again. If you are still unable to play back or record, quit all programs that are using the MD-500, then turn the MD-500 off and then on again.

 

Part of the playback is wrong: e.g., notes are broken off prematurely, or some notes are lost

Problems may be solved by making the settings shown below.

Windows Update

Try running Microsoft's Windows Update and update the system.

 

Check the Power mode settings.

1. Click the "Start" button, and then click "Settings."
2. Click "System," and then click "Power & battery."
3. Under "Power mode," select "Best performance."
4. Close the "Settings" dialog box.

"Performance Options" settings of System Properties

1. Click the "Start" button, and then click "Settings."
2. Click "System," and then click "About."
3. In Related links, click "Advanced system settings."
4. If a dialog box regarding User Account Control appears, click [Yes].

   *	If you are asked to enter the password of an Administrator account, sign in to Windows as a user whose Account Type is Administrator, then perform the settings again.

5. Click [Settings] of the Performance section, and then click the [Advanced] tab.
6. Select "Background services," and click [OK].
7. Click [OK] to close "System Properties."
8. Close the "Settings" dialog box.

Such problems may be solved if you check the "Light Load" check box in the Driver Settings dialog box.

If you wish to modify or verify the settings, use the procedure described in "Changing/checking driver settings."

*	The modified setting will take effect after you turn the power of the MD-500 on/off. Unless you experience problems, use the unchecked (initial) setting.

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