Note: This guide applies to both the VR-50HD and VR-50HD MK II.

 

USB Audio/Video output is an easy to use solution for live streaming and video recording. It converts your Roland hardware into "one big webcam" that you can use with any software that supports USB video and audio.

There are no Roland drivers for this feature. Once you connect the USB cable, Windows and MacOS use their built-in system drivers to display the video and audio.

USB VIDEO ISSUES

In rare cases, you may experience the following:

• No USB video or audio
• Only USB audio
• USB Video freezes indefinitely
• The Roland is not on the list in your software

REASONS FOR ISSUES

Here are some potential causes, from most to least likely:

• Roland Settings
  • Fade to Black is enabled on Roland
  • HDCP is turned on in the Roland System menu
• USB Accessories
  • USB streaming cable is not compatible
  • USB-C adapter or USB hub is not compatible
  • Conflict with additional USB video devices
    • Webcam, capture, etc.
  • Conflict with another USB accessory
    • Hard drive, mouse, etc.
  • Conflict with an external monitor
    • Thunderbolt/USB-C
• Computer Settings
  • Camera permissions are not enabled
  • Conflict with other software that uses USB video
  • Setting in streaming or recording software
  • Computer OS version has a bug
  • Computer USB drivers have a bug
  • Computer GPU drivers have a bug
  • Computer BIOS version has a bug
  • Bug in streaming or recording software
• Service Issues
  • Roland USB port is physically damaged and needs repair

If the video briefly freezes and resumes, it is not USB related, the issue is your stream settings or upload speed.

• Run a speed test to see if your upload speed is fast enough. If your video stream's bit-rate is 4 Mbps, for example, your upload speed should average 10 Mbps or higher. More information in this guide.

If you use Zoom or Teams the video appears to be HD quality, but some of the colors are pixelated, please use this guide to change your USB output setting (requires firmware version 1.04 or later):

• V-02HD MK II: Image Quality Drops When Connected to ZOOM app or Teams app

 

Troubleshooting Video

 

UPDATE THE FIRMWARE

Before you begin troubleshooting, go to MENU > SYSTEM/SETUP > VERSION (last page), and confirm it is 1.16 (VR-50HD) or 2.03 (VR-50HD MK II).

If not, update the firmware to the latest version:

• VR-50HD: How to Update the System Program Firmware

• VR-50HD MK II: How to Update the System Program Firmware

 

 

OUTPUT FADE BUTTON

Make sure the OUTPUT FADE button is off, if it is on (lit red), Fade to Black is enabled.

 

 

TURN OFF HDCP

Set the following menu setting: MENU > SYSTEM > HDCP > OFF

• If HDCP is on, it disables the USB output.
• HDCP is typically used with copy-protected sources like DVD/Blu-Ray players.
  • For example, you are switching between cameras and a Blu-Ray player, outputting to a projector.

CHECK THE HDMI OUTPUT

Connect the Roland's HDMI output to a TV to check if the signal is working normally. The HDMI and USB outputs are processed separately, so if the HDMI works, it's a USB compatibility issue.

USE A RECOMMENDED USB CABLE

Try a different USB cable, as some SuperSpeed USB cables do not meet specifications. Please use these guides for cable recommendations and specifications for your Roland product:

• Recommended USB Cables for Streaming and Recording

TRY A DIFFERENT COMPUTER

Try a different computer to confirm the Roland is working. It's possible there is an issue with your computer's settings or drivers.

• The Roland uses your operating system's camera drivers, there are no drivers to download.

CONNECT STRAIGHT TO USB PORT

Bypass any USB hubs or extenders.

• Some USB hubs with power supplies may work.

If your computer only has USB-C ports, use a recommended cable that is Type B to Type C.

If you only have access to cables that are Type B to Type A, try a single-port USB Type A to Type C adapter.

• If using a Mac, try this adapter, do not use ones with multiple ports.

 

 

TRY A DIFFERENT USB PORT

• Try a different USB port group on the computer.
  • Many computers power and control USB ports in pairs.
    • Example: Try ports on the other side of the laptop.
  • Some older computers have mixed USB 2 and USB 3 ports.

HARDWARE CONFLICTS

Disconnect all USB devices except for the Roland.

• External Hard Drives
• USB Hubs
• Software Dongles

Also disconnect any additional displays using Thunderbolt or USB-C, if possible.

• Try connecting with HDMI if possible.

Run your software to test the USB video signal.

Reconnect one device at a time until the issue happens again.

If you have an external mouse/keyboard, disconnect them after you start your test, and see if reconnecting them causes the issue.

RESTART THE COMPUTER

• Shut down your computer and Roland.
• Unplug all USB and Thunderbolt devices.
  • Some computers cannot process more than 1 USB video device. Disconnect external USB webcams before reconnecting the Roland.
• Turn on your computer and Roland, and allow both to fully load.
• Connect the Roland directly to a USB port.
• Open your software and test again.

CHECK THE LABELED PORT SPEED

• With older computers, check if the USB port is labeled "SS", or Super Speed.
  • Note: Many ports today are Super Speed, but not labeled.
  • Note: Many (but not all) Super Speed cables and ports have blue plastic in the connectors.

RESET THE USB CONNECTION

Go to the following:

• V-02HD MK II: Menu > Video Output > USB Output > Connection Reset > [ENTER]
• V-160HD: Menu > Video Output > USB Output > Connection Reset > [ENTER]
• VC-100UHD: Menu > Processing > USB Streaming > Connection Reset > [ENTER]
• VR-1HD: Menu > Video Output > USB Stream > Connection Reset > [ENTER]
• VR-4HD: [USB Setup] button > Connection Reset (on LCD) > [PRESS]
• VR-50HD MK II: Menu > System (on LCD) > USB Streaming > Reset > [PRESS]

You can also disconnect the USB cable from the computer, wait 3 seconds, and then reconnect it.

 

 

CHECK THE USB SPEED/FORMAT

• Press the [ MENU ] button the VR-50HD panel.

• Press the [ USB STREAMING ] button in the System section of the LCD menu.

• Underneath Connection, it should read USB 3.0.
  
  • If your USB STATUS is USB 3.0 and you experience the USB signal freezing, there is an issue with your USB 3.0 cable, or the computer's USB port itself.
    
    
• If the Connection status is USB 2.0 or NC, press the [ RESET ] button on the LCD screen, and see if it changes to USB 3.0.
  • If that does not resolve the status issue, there is an issue with your USB 3.0 cable, or the computer's USB port itself.

• The Dropped Frames counter will increase if the USB connection is not fast enough.
  
  
• Lowering the USB resolution and frame rate only helps with compatibility if using a USB 2.0 cable, which is not recommended, the video will be SD quality.

 

 

CAMERA PERMISSIONS

Check your Windows or Mac privacy settings to check if camera access is enabled for the software you want to use.

• Windows 10 and 11
• MacOS 10.14, 10.15, 11, and 12

SOFTWARE CONFLICTS

Disable camera access for any software that does not need or use it.

Check if any other camera, capture, conferencing, streaming, or recording software are open.

• For example, do not run FaceTime and VR Capture at the same time. It may work, but performance will be unpredictable.

Quit any software you do not need, even your web browser can consume a lot of resources.

• Also check your taskbar to see if any software are running there as well.

UPDATE THE COMPUTER

MacOS

• Update MacOS to the latest version compatible with your hardware, if possible.
• There are no individual driver updates for the Mac itself.

Windows 10 and 11

• Get the latest Windows Updates.
  • Windows 7 is no longer updated or recommended.
• Update the drivers for your Display Adapters and USB Drivers.
  • Only download driver updates from the manufacturer.
  • The computer manufacturer may have an update tool to help with this.
  • Update the USB Drivers for the USB Host Controller and Root Hub if necessary.

 

 

Additional Troubleshooting

 

OBS STUDIO ISSUES

There may be an issue with OBS Studio on M1 Macs. If your video freezes after a few seconds, change this setting:

• Settings > Advanced > Video > uncheck "Disable macOS V-Sync"
  • This should prevent the video signal from freezing
• Video Capture Device Source Properties > check "Use Buffering"
  • This may give you smoother video performance

This issue was confirmed with a 2021 Macbook Pro running Monterey 12.6.3 and OBS 29.0.2.

 

RECORDING ISSUES

This section covers issues with recorded video files. If the recordings are freezing in the preview screen, use the above sections to troubleshoot.

 

If you have any issues with finished recordings using our Roland Live Recorder or Video Capture for VR software, try recording to your system drive, and not an external drive.

• If you record to external media, like a USB flash drive, format the drive between recordings .
• Also make sure the drive is fast enough for HD video recording, and connected to a Super Speed USB 3.0 port as well.

 

 

Troubleshooting Audio

 

CHECK THE AUDIO LEVELS

• Make sure the [USB AUDIO] knob is set to the 2 o'clock "dot" position on the VR-50HD panel. This knob is a separate audio control for your USB output, and sets it as 0.0 dB, the same level as your main mix.

 

MK I

MK II

 

 

VERIFY USB AUDIO SOURCE

Streaming services and recording software that support USB sources basically treat your VR-50HD as a webcam, and you will need to select the VR-50HD Video and Audio separately.

For example, in our free VR Capture recording software, choose the "VR-50HD" as your Video Input, followed by the "VR-50HD(Audio)" as your Audio Input.

 

Roland Live Recorder and Roland Live Streamer for Windows 10 will automatically detect your VR-1HD, VR-4HD, VR-50HD MK II, and UVC-01 as both a video and audio source.

 

Next, input audio into your switcher, and you should see the audio meters moving in your software or web interface.

If you are using a Mac and do not see the Audio Input menu in VR Capture, downsize the software window until it appears.

 

 

PRIVACY AND PERMISSIONS

Both Windows 10 and MacOS have Privacy settings that may block access to your microphones. In this situation, it will treat the VR-50HD's USB output audio as a microphone source.

Adjust your computer's settings so that it allows your software of choice to use the VR-50HD as a microphone source

• Turn on app permissions for camera and microphone on Windows 10

• Control access to your microphone on Mac

 

 

CHECK COMPUTER MIC LEVELS

On your computer's audio mixer settings, check that the Roland switcher is not muted as a microphone source.

Mac:

• Open the Audio MIDI Settings app
• Choose your switcher from the list on the left side of the window
• Check that the volume sliders are either turned up or grayed out

Windows:

• In the system tray, right click on the speaker icon and select Open Sound Settings
• Scroll down to the Input section, choose your switcher from the drop-down menu, and click on Device Properties
• Check the volume slider, it should be at 100