There are two ways to connect the XP-10 to your computer. Either using MIDI cables with a MIDI interface (such as the PC-MIDI Flyer, etc.) or directly connecting to the PC serial (COM) ports, using a special cable (purchased separately from Roland). It is important to install and configure the appropriate MIDI driver prior to launching FreeStyle for the first time. If you are using an interface, install the driver according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and then read the section below, labeled “If You Use a MIDI Interface”. If you are using the ROLAND serial driver, simply follow the steps outlined in the section labeled “If You Use a Serial Cable”. If you have attempted to run FreeStyle before installing the appropriate driver, FreeStyle may cause an erroneous studio setup document to be created, which will result in no MIDI communication between the XP-10 and the computer. If this has happened, delete the file called ‘fmsprefs’ from the FreeMIDI directory, (which is located in the Windows directory) and continue with the driver installation/configuration.

If You Use a MIDI Interface:
- If you use MIDI cables, you will need two MIDI cables and a MIDI interface . (Please refer to the section labeled “Connections Using MIDI Cables” in Chapter 8 of the XP-10 manual for details on how to make the proper connections.)
- Set the computer switch on the rear panel of the XP-10 to “MIDI”.
- Turn “Local Control” Off on the XP-10. (Please refer to the section labelled “Turn off the XP-10′s Local Control” in chapter 7 of the XP-10 manual for details.)
- After the initial WELCOME! message the program will present you with the Studio Setup window, where you tell FreeStyle what MIDI gear you have.
- Click on the drop-down list of devices and select XP-10 from the list of supported devices. NOTE: The default device is set to “Generic GM”.
- Click the Expand button to tell FreeStyle about the device’s MIDI connections.
- If you have no other MIDI gear, click DONE. Otherwise, click the ADD button to add another device, and configure it appropriately.
- That’s all there is to it!

If You Use a Serial Cable:
- If you use a serial cable, connections can be made directly to the COM port on the back of the PC. (Please refer to the section labeled “Connections Using a Computer Cable” in Chapter 8 of the XP-10 manual for details on how to make the proper connections.) Install the driver referring to the section below which applies to you.

Windows 3.1 Installation of the ROLAND Serial MIDI Driver :
- Set the computer switch on the rear panel of the XP-10 to “PC-2″ prior to powering on the unit.
- Turn “Local Control” Off on the XP-10. (Please refer to the section labelled “Turn off the XP-10′s Local Control” in chapter 7 of the XP-10 manual for details.)
- Open the Drivers control panel and click the Add button.
- Select Unlisted or Updated driver in the Installed Drivers window and click OK.
- Insert the FreeStyle disk 1 into your computer, select the appropriate drive to scan, and click OK.
- Select the Roland Serial MIDI (for XP-10, SC series, etc.) driver and click OK.
- Check that you have the correct COM port setting and RESTART WINDOWS.

Windows 95 Installation of the ROLAND Serial MIDI Driver :
- Set the computer switch on the rear panel of the XP-10 to “PC-2″ prior to powering on the unit.
- Open Control Panel, double-click the “Add New Hardware” icon and click Next.
- When the Add New Hardware Wizard asks if you want it to scan for new hardware, click No. Clicking Yes won’t work – the Wizard does not know how to automatically recognize the ROLAND Serial MIDI driver.
- Select “Sound, video and game controllers” and click Next.
When the Wizard asks for the manufacturer and model of your new hardware, click the special Have Disk… button.
- Insert the FreeStyle disk 1 into your computer, select the appropriate drive to scan, and click OK.
- After the Wizard scans the disk, it should present you with a single choice for “Roland Serial MIDI” hardware. Click OK and then click Finish to have the Wizard install the driver software onto your computer.
- Finally, the Wizard should inform you that Windows must be restarted.

Configuring FreeStyle After Driver Installation:
- When you launch FreeStyle for the first time, it should automatically detect a ROLAND device connected to the COM port, and assign the correct properties.
- If the PatchList for your device is not correct, simply select the correct patch list for your device from the drop-down menu.
- That’s all there is to it