Contents

• Where can I download the latest MPC update?
  • Akai Pro User Account
  • MPC Product Page
• Before you Update
  • How will I know if I need to update?
  • Preparing for the Update
• Updating the Firmware
  • Updating with PC or Mac
  • Updating with a USB Drive
  • Updating with WIFI or Ethernet Connection
• Emergency Update
  • Review your Update path
  • Remove Peripherals
  • Manual Update Mode

Where can I download the latest MPC update?

There are two ways to get the latest update for your MPC:

Akai Pro User Account

1. Log in to your akaipro.com account
2. If you have not already, click Register New Product and enter the MPC serial number, purchase date, and location to register the MPC to your account.
3. In the Your Registered Products list, find your MPC in the list and click View Downloads.
4. Look for the Firmware section. Here you will find downloads for the macOS, PC, and USB updater files, as well as update release notes.

MPC Product Page

1. Navigate to the corresponding MPC product page at akaipro.com.
   • MPC Live
   • MPC Live II
   • MPC X
   • MPC One/MPC One Retro
2. Click the Downloads tab at the top of the screen or scroll down to the Downloads & Documents section. Here you will find downloads for the macOS, PC, and USB updater files, as well as update release notes. 

Before you Update

How will I know if I need to update?

MPC updates are usually released to introduce new features and fix any known bugs in the system. Updates to the MPC Software and MPC Firmware are often released in tandem so that both MPC software and firmware can be updated together. Akai Pro highly recommends keeping both MPC software and firmware updated and on matching versions, as long as it is supported by the computer OS. 

You may be notified of a new update either by a new release notification in the MPC software, an email, or a social media campaign.

To check if your MPC is up-to-date, look for the latest update version available as described above and check which version is currently installed on your MPC:

1. On your MPC, press the Menu button.
2. Find and press the Preferences button to access the MPC settings. This is usually indicated by a Gear icon.
3. The current firmware version will be listed under the Info tab.

Preparing for the Update

Before updating any firmware on any operating system, it's important to take the following precautions:

1. Backup Your Data - Updates can be tricky, so be sure you have all your projects and other data stored in a safe, separate drive - just in case.
2. Update the Drivers - If there was a corresponding software update, do this first, and be sure to also update your drivers if needed. The firmware update may fail if your drivers are out-of-date, or if you are using an unsupported operating system.
3. Connect the MPC to a Power Source - All MPCs should be connected to a stable power source during the update. The MPC Live will not be able to be updated while running on battery power.
4. Connect the MPC Directly to a USB Port on Your Computer - Avoid using any USB hubs, adapters, extenders, or long USB cables to prevent any lost data during the update. Updates can take time and careful processing. By connecting the MPC directly to the computer, we eliminate potential errors in the update transfer path.
5. Do Not Use or Power Off the MPC While it's Updating - If the update is interrupted or otherwise does not complete, it can be difficult (or on rare occasions, impossible) to recover it. Only power the MPC off if it has been unresponsive in update mode for several hours. Before you re-attempt the update, be sure to check that all precautions listed here are taken.
6. Eliminate Distractions- This includes:
   1. Disconnect all other USB/MIDI devices from the computer.
   2. Unplug any MIDI cables plugged into the MIDI ports on the module.
   3. Close all other software running on the computer.

In general, the MPC should have a consistent and working connection to your computer. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms like the ones listed below, do NOT attempt to update the firmware in order to remedy this. 

• The MPC will not connect to a computer
• The MPC will not communicate with software at all
• Latency/delay in playback or other audio playback-related issues
• Unexpected messages or graphics on the display
• The MPC will not power on or will power off intermittently

If you experience any trouble with this, please contact our support team before continuing with the update.   

Updating the Firmware

Updating with PC or Mac

Please refer to the precautions above before following the steps below:

1. Download the PC or Mac Updater as described above
2. Connect the MPC to your computer and power it on.
3. Run the firmware updater application.
4. On your MPC, press the Menu button and select Preferences (this is usually indicated by a gear icon)
5. On your MPC, select the Info tab on the left if it is not already selected.
6. On your MPC, tap the UPDATE button at the bottom of the MPC display, then select Switch to Update Mode. Your MPC will restart into Update Mode. (Note: If on MPC FW 2.10 or below, you will need to hold shift in order to reveal the "update" button in the info tab of the preferences.)
7. In the firmware updater application on your computer, press Update MPC.

The firmware updater application will begin processing the update. Please allow several minutes for the update to complete. Your MPC will restart once the update is completed. 

Updating with a USB Drive

Please refer to the precautions above before following the steps below.

When updating with a USB drive, we recommend using an empty and newly reformatted drive with at least 1GB of space, if possible. The drive should be formatted to FAT32 or ExFat formats. Please refer to our guide here for any assistance formatting a drive.

1. Download the USB image file (.img) as described above.
2. Connect your drive to the computer and load the image file (.img) to the root of the USB drive. The root of any drive is the top-most location, outside of any folders. Do not place the image file inside a folder on the drive.
3. On your MPC, press the Menu button and select Preferences (this is usually indicated by a gear icon)
4. On your MPC, select the Info tab on the left if it is not already selected.
5. On your MPC, tap the UPDATE button at the bottom of the MPC display, then select USB Drive Update. Your MPC should recognize the image file on your drive and you would like to update. Press UPDATE to confirm and reboot the MPC into update mode. 
6. When your MPC reboots, it will read Updating Firmware on the display. Once complete, the MPC will reboot into normal operation.

Updating with WIFI or Ethernet Connection

Updating your MPC firmware will not be available for all MPCs. In order to use this function, you will need:

• MPC standalone hardware with WIFI functionality (MPC X, MPC Live, MPC Live II, and MPC Key 61) or MPC standalone hardware with a wired internet connection (MPC X, MPC Live, MPC Live II, MPC One, and MPC Key 61).
• The MPC will need to be updated to firmware v2.10 at minimum to access the WIFI update functionality.

To update:

1. On your MPC, press the Menu button and select Preferences (this is usually indicated by a gear icon)
   • If connecting with WIFI, go to the Wi-Fi tab and set up the connection with your WIFI router. Make sure the connection is solid and stable before proceeding.
   • If connecting with wired Ethernet, use a Cat5 cable to connect your MPC Ethernet port to your router. In your MPC Preferences, go to the Ethernet tab and check that the status shows the MPC is "connected" to your network.
     
2. Once your network connection is set up, go to the Info tab in the MPC Preferences. 
3. On your MPC, tap the UPDATE button at the bottom of the MPC display, then select Online Update. The MPC will search for any compatible updates for your MPC. If an update is available, you will be prompted again to verify the firmware that will be installed. 
4. Update Now, then tap Shut Down when prompted. The MPC will restart and proceed with the firmware update. Once complete, the MPC will reboot into normal operation. 

Emergency Update

If you encounter trouble performing the update, don't worry! Your MPC is unlikely to be damaged by a failed update, but it may require a more manual update process and revisiting the setup used to perform the update.

Review your Update path

If you are having trouble getting your firmware installed, it's important to check your process. The key to a stable and swift update is clearing all extraneous pieces between the update and the MPC. Is this a trusted USB cable? Are you using any USB hubs? Do you have a strong internet connection? Is your USB drive empty and reformatted? 

Check the Preparing for the Update section above for a full pre-update checklist. If an update failed once, you will likely need to change something before trying the update again.

Remove Peripherals

If your MPC gets stuck in the process of the update, try removing any extra devices from the equation. This would include any USB drives and even internal SSD drives.

Manual Update Mode

If you are having trouble getting the MPC into Update Mode or are unable to reach the MPC settings, you can power the MPC off and power it back on using a button combination to boot it straight into update mode. 

Get your update ready according to the instructions above and refer to the button combinations below. You will need to press and hold the designated button combination while powering on the MPC. Continue to hold the buttons until the MPC is fully powered on.

Once the MPC is powered into Update Mode, you can proceed with the update as normal.