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[ioguie]

Hello -- according to the documentation, there was a CD which came with the Boss DR-880 that would have MIDI drivers for Mac OS 9.  I'm guessing they released OMS and FreeMIDI drivers.

I don't have the CD... and Roland/Boss don't have Mac OS 9 downloads available for the DR-880. 

Does anybody have these miraculous files somewhere??  I'm almost ready to try installing every Roland OMS USB MIDI driver I can download from their site, just to see if any of them work... but I guess this is not an emergency.

[GaryN]

OMS and/or Freemidi drivers are not device-specific. They are generic comm tools that work with all things MIDI. So, any OMS driver will work.

What you cannot do, is plug a cable from the DR-880 USB port into your OS9 computer and transport MIDI over it. You will need a MIDI interface in between. Which interface will depend on which computer is used, which you didn't mention.

The best thing you have going for you is that Roland products generally have the most complete MIDI implementation available. So, whatever it is you want to do here, there certainly will be a way to do it.

Any useful info beyond this will need more info from you first: Computer model especially, what software you want to run etc.

[chrisNova777]

actually CHATGPT says u can; i asked chatGPT does the boss dr-880 support midi over USB to a computer?

Yes — the Boss DR‑880 supports MIDI over USB, but there are a few details to be aware of:

According to the manual, there is a “USB MIDI driver” that allows MIDI data to flow between the DR-880 and your computer.
Roland
+2
Sweetwater
+2

To use MIDI over USB, you need to set the DR-880’s USB Mode to “MIDI” (not “STORAGE”).
ManualZilla

After changing that setting, you must power the unit off and on again for it to take effect.
Roland Support
+1

On Windows, you might need to install the DR-880’s USB MIDI driver.
BOSS
+1

On macOS, there are also drivers provided by Boss / Roland.
BOSS
+1

Caveat: The USB port also supports a “storage” mode (for doing file backups and SMF import/export), so make sure you're in the right USB mode for MIDI use.
synfo.nl

If you tell me your computer (Windows / Mac) and what DAW or software you're using, I can walk you through how to set up the DR-880 as a MIDI device. Do you want me to do that?

[GaryN]

actually CHATGPT says u can; i asked chatGPT does the boss dr-880 support midi over USB to a computer?

This is what happens when you let an AI do your thinking for you. It won't analyze or evaluate YOU or your question first to see if there are other factors you've omitted to find out what you really want before answering.

So, I tried Chat GPT as well but instead, I asked:

Can I connect a Boss DR-880 over MIDI to a vintage Macintosh running OS9?

… and I got:

_________________________________
✅ What the DR-880 Provides

The Boss DR-880 has:

Standard 5-pin DIN MIDI In/Out

USB, but only for data backup, not for MIDI.
→ So you must use the 5-pin DIN ports for OS9.

✅ What a Mac OS9 Machine Needs

Mac OS9 does not support modern USB-MIDI class-compliant devices.
It requires OMS or FreeMIDI compatible interfaces.

Compatible MIDI Interfaces for OS9

You need one of these older MIDI interfaces:

USB (OS9-compatible, with drivers)

MOTU FastLane USB

MOTU MIDI Express XT USB (OS9 version)

Opcode OMS-compatible USB interfaces (rare but exist)

Midiman/M-Audio Midisport 2×2 or 4×4 (must have the legacy OS9 drivers)

Serial (ADB-style modem/printer port MIDI interfaces)

If your Mac has serial ports (older beige Macs):

Opcode Studio 64X / 128X

MOTU MTP/AV serial version

MOTU Micro Express (serial)

Serial interfaces also work with OMS or FreeMIDI.

✅ Software Compatibility

On OS 9 you will typically use:

OMS (Opcode MIDI System)

Most OS9 MIDI apps require OMS. It's the safest choice.

Compatible with:

Cubase VST 5

Logic Audio 4 / early 5

Digital Performer 2–3

Vision DSP (Opcode)

Once the interface + OMS is installed, the DR-880 will appear as a MIDI device you can sync, trigger, or sequence.

👍 Typical Working Setup

Boss DR-880 MIDI Out → Interface MIDI In

Interface MIDI Out → DR-880 MIDI In

Install OMS 2.3.8 on the Mac.

Install the OS9 driver for your MIDI interface.

Launch OMS Setup and create a device for the DR-880.

At that point:

You can use the Mac to sequence the DR-880

Or use DR-880 pads to trigger software synths

And sync tempo over MIDI clock or MTC

⚠️ Common Pitfalls

Most modern USB-MIDI interfaces will not work in OS9 (no drivers).

The DR-880's USB port cannot be used for MIDI, so don’t expect it to show up on the Mac via USB.

You must use 5-pin DIN MIDI for everything.

✔️ Bottom Line

Yes, you can connect a DR-880 to a Mac running OS9, as long as you use an OS9-compatible MIDI interface and install the proper OMS drivers.

If you'd like, tell me which Macintosh model and which MIDI interface you have, and I can give you a precise step-by-step setup guide.
_____________________________________


So, ChatGPT gives pretty much the same answer I did when asked "correctly" BUT it does contradict itself more than a little.
Actually, I'm more than a little impressed with ChatGPT.   IF, you ask the right question, you can get a pretty competent and ridiculously detailed answer… even on a "obsolete" subject such as this.

What it does NOT mention however, is the DR-880 USB driver that ioguie is looking for to begin with!

Actually, there has long been an Opcode USB-OMS driver. The performance has always been wanting. It's what is used when one connects the Keyspan USA-28X USB-to-serial adaptor. I used that adaptor for a long time until I finally fell across a Keyspan SX Pro Serial PCI Card. That bypasses the USB system entirely and the timing is an order of magnitude better. Admittedly, that's driving a Studio 5lx and a LOT of MIDI simultaneously. Whether a USB connection will be seriously detrimental to ioguie using a DR-880 I cannot say but it might just work…… or not.

Anyway, I wouldn't be surprised if the "Boss DR-880 USB-OMS MIDI Driver", is nothing more than a rebranded original Opcode USB-OMS driver, which I have. BUT, it was Stuffed in a .sit.hqx archive which (HEY KNEZ!) the Forum won't allow to be uploaded so I'm taking a shot at attaching it UN-Stuffed. When I get a chance, I'll go to OS9 and redo it without the hqx.


Anyway, back to Chat GPT. I was impressed enough to ask this:

How can I fix a Macintosh G4 MDD PSU?

Try it… I think you'll be surprised!