A firmware update (v1.02) has been released for the MPK249 and MPK261 that allows connectivity with computers running an Apple silicon processor (M1/M2). This update is also compatible with the MPK225, though in most situations it is not required for connection to a silicon processor. Please refer to this article for access to the download and all other information pertaining to this update. 



Before You Update



What features are Included in this update?

This update does not change any features or functionality of the MPK225, MPK249 and MPK261. The update is only designed to address connectivity issues with mac computers utilizing M1 or M2 processors. 



Who should perform this update?

This update is recommended for all MPK249 and MPK261 owners that are currently using a computer with an Apple M1/M2 processor or plan to use a computer with an Apple M1/M2 processor in the future. 


Without the update, MPK249 and MPK261 users may find that they are only able to successfully connect their keyboard to an M1/M2 powered mac by using a powered USB hub. Although these USB hubs are already a very common way to integrate USB devices with a Mac, we recommend performing the update to avoid any issues or confusion in the future. All other functionality of the keyboard will remain the same.



What will I need to perform this update?

This firmware update process will require any one of the following setups to complete:

  • Apple computer with an Intel processor
  • Apple computer with an M1 processer and a powered USB hub
  • Windows computer with Windows 10 or 11



Where can I download the update?

Download links for the update can be found within the instructions below. Please follow the steps to complete the update according to the system you have available and a download will be a part of the process. 



Check the Current Firmware Version

Before performing a firmware update on any device, always check to see what firmware is currently installed. To check your firmware on an MPK225, MPK249 or MPK261, press the Global button, then press the > button until you reach the OS page.


The number next to Version will be the version of the firmware currently installed. If this number is lower than "v1.02" we recommend installing this update. 



Preparing for the Update

Before updating any firmware on any device, it's important to take some precautions.

  • Connect that your MPK225/MPK249/MPK261 is connected securely to your computer. We recommend:
    • Avoid USB cables longer than 15 feet. A USB cable with a ferrite bead, and 6 feet long or less will be the most reliable. 
    • Avoid using a non-powered USB hub or connecting the keyboard to the computer through another device. Connecting directly to a USB port on the computer, or using a powered USB hub with an M1/M2 mac computer will be the most reliable. 
    • Check that the computer recognizes the connection to your keyboard. If you cannot establish a working connection with the keyboard, the firmware update may not be successful. For tips on checking this before the update, please follow the Quick Test instructions here.

  • Eliminate distractions from the system. This guarantees nothing will interrupt the update process. This includes:
    • Disconnect all other USB/MIDI devices from the computer
    • Unplug any MIDI cables connected to the MIDI ports on the MPK225/MPK249/MPK261
    • Close all other software running on the computer




Updating MPK225, MPK249 and MPK261 Firmware



Video Tutorial


Apple Computer (Intel or M1/M2)

Updater Application (Recommended)

Reminder: This process requires a mac computer with an Intel processor, or a mac computer with an M1/M2 processor + powered USB hub. 

  1. Download the firmware updater files for macOS here (includes update for MPK225, MPK249 and MPK261).

  2. Connect your MPK225, MPK249 or MPK261 to an open USB port on your computer and power it on. If using a mac computer with an M1/M2 processor, the keyboard MUST be connected using a powered USB hub.

  3.  Find the MPK249_&_MPK261_Mac_1.02_Update file in your Downloads folder and double-click on it to open it.
  4. Double-click the file named NSK0 Mac MIDI Updater_1.1_ to install the updater software. In the window that appears, drag the MIDIUpdater icon into the Applications folder.
  5. Open your Applications folder. Right-click on the MIDI Updater application and select Open. macOS may warn you that the application needs to be updated, but this will not be necessary. Click Open to open the application anyway.

  6. In the MPK249_&_MPK261_Mac_1.02_Update folder, find the file named MPK249_MPK261_FW_v1_02.upd. Click and drag this file directly into the MIDI Updater application.
  7. The display on your MPK225/MPK249/MPK261 will update to read Automated Update. Do not remove USB cable. WAITING FOR TRANSFER and a pop-up window will appear on your computer screen about preparing for the update. When you're ready to perform the update, click OK.
  8. The update will proceed and you will see a progress bar in the MIDI Updater application. Do not power off or disconnect the keyboard during this process. It may take a few minutes to complete.
  9. When the update is complete, you will receive a pop-up saying the update has been sent and asking you to check the device for an update status. Check the display on your MPK225/MPK249/MPK261. If prompted on the display, restart the keyboard by pressing ENTER (press down on the selection knob). The display will flash briefly, then return to the Preset screen.


The update should now be complete and your keyboard should be connected and operating normally with your computer. You can use the process above to check that the v1.02 firmware has successfully registered on your MPK225/MPK249/MPK261.



Sysex Update (Emergency Update)

This update method can be performed if the provided MIDI Updater application does not run or fails to perform for some reason.

Reminder: This process requires a mac computer with an Intel processor, or a mac computer with an M1/M2 processor + powered USB hub. 

  1. Download the firmware updater files for macOS here (includes Sysex update files for MPK225, MPK249 and MPK261).

  2. Download and install a Sysex application if you do not already have one. We recommend SysEx Librarian by Snoize. This is free and easy to use. We will be using this as an example in the rest of the demonstration.

  3. Connect your MPK225, MPK249 or MPK261 to an open USB port on your computer and power it on. If using a mac computer with an M1/M2 processor, the keyboard MUST be connected using a powered USB hub.

  4. Open your SysEx application (i.e. SysEx Librarian).

  5. Find the MIDI I/O setting in your SysEx Application and select Port A for your MPK225/MPK249/MPK261.
  6. Find the MPK249_&_MPK261_Mac_1.02_Update file in your Downloads folder and double-click on it to open it.

  7. Go into the SysEx Files folder and find the "updatemode.syx" files. There will be different files for the MPK225, MPK249 and MPK261. It is important that you use the file that corresponds to the MPK keyboard you are updating.

  8. Drag the corresponding update file directly into your SysEx application, then click Send (play button). The MPK225/MPK249/MPK261 should respond by updating the display to read: Automated Update. Do not remove USB cable. WAITING FOR TRANSFER.
  9. Find the MIDI I/O setting in your SysEx Application again and select Port A for your MPK225/MPK249/MPK261 again.

  10. In the Sysex Files folder, find the file named MPK249_MPK261_FW_v1.02.syx. Click and drag this file into your SysEx application and click Send (play button) to begin the update. A progress bar will appear.
  11. Once the update has started, a progress bar will appear on the screen. This may take a few minutes. Do not touch or disconnect the keyboard during this time.
  12. When the update is complete, the display on the MPK225/MPK249/MPK261 will update to confirm and prompt you to press ENTER (press down on the selection knob) to restart the keyboard. The display will flash briefly, then return to the Preset screen.


The update should now be complete and your keyboard should be connected and operating normally with your computer. You can use the process above to check that the v1.02 firmware has successfully registered on your MPK225/MPK249/MPK261.



Windows Computer

Updater Application (Recommended)

  1. Download the firmware updater files for Windows here (includes update for MPK MPK249 and MPK261).

  2. Connect your MPK225, MPK249 or MPK261 to an open USB port on your computer and power it on.

  3. Find the MPK249_&_MPK261_PC_1.02_Update.zip file in your Downloads folder.

    The files inside will need to be unzipped (extracted) from the zipped folder before you proceed. To do this, right-click on the .zip folder and select Extract All from the menu. Follow the on-screen instructions and an unzipped version of the folder will be created. Use this unzipped folder when accessing any of the update files explained in the next steps. 

  4. In the unzipped MPK249_&_MPK261_PC_1.02_Update folder, find and double-click the NSK0 PC MidiUpdaterSetup.exe to install the updater application.


    If you are presented with a "Windows protected your PC" message while running the installer, click on More info, then select Run anyway. This is only stating that the app has not been reviewed by Microsoft development; it is not an indication of a virus or other hazardous software. As long as the updater you received came from inMusic (this article), it will be safe.

  5. Follow the prompts to install the application. At the end of the installation, we recommend selecting the option to Launch MIDI Updater so the app launches automatically.



  6. In the unzipped MPK249_&_MPK261_PC_1.02_Update folder, find the file named MPK249_MPK261_FW_v1.02.upd file. Click and drag this file directly into the MIDI Updater application.

  7. The display on your MPK225/MPK249/MPK261 will update to read Automated Update. Do not remove USB cable. WAITING FOR TRANSFER and a pop-up window will appear on your computer screen about preparing for the update. When you're ready to perform the update, click OK.



  8.  The update will proceed and you will see a progress bar in the MIDI Updater application. Do not power off or disconnect the keyboard during this process. It may take a few minutes to complete.

  9. When the update is complete, you will receive a pop-up saying the update has been sent and asking you to check the device for an update status. Check the display on your MPK225/MPK249/MPK261. If prompted on the display, restart the keyboard by pressing ENTER (press down on the selection knob). The display will flash briefly, then return to the Preset screen.


The update should now be complete and your keyboard should be connected and operating normally with your computer. You can use the process above to check that the v1.02 firmware has successfully registered on your MPK225/MPK249/MPK261.




Sysex Update (Emergency Update)

This update method can be performed if the provided MIDI Updater application does not run or fails to perform for some reason.

  1. Download the firmware updater files for Windows here (includes Sysex update files for MPK225, MPK249 and MPK261).

  2. Download and install a Sysex application if you do not already have one. We recommend SendSX by Bome Software. This is free and easy to use. We will be using this as an example in the rest of the demonstration.

  3. Connect your MPK225, MPK249 or MPK261 to an open USB port on your computer and power it on.

  4. Open your SysEx application (i.e. SendSX).

  5. Find the MIDI I/O setting in your SysEx Application and select Port 1 for your MPK225/MPK249/MPK261 (this may appear as simply "MPK225" "MPK249" or "MPK261").

  6. Find the MPK249_&_MPK261_PC_1.02_Update.zip file in your Downloads folder.

    The files inside will need to be unzipped (extracted) from the zipped folder before you proceed. To do this, right-click on the .zip folder and select Extract All from the menu. Follow the on-screen instructions and an unzipped version of the folder will be created. Use this unzipped folder when accessing any of the update files explained in the next steps. 

  7. Go into the SysEx Files folder and find the "updatemode.syx" files. There will be different files for the MPK225, MPK249 and MPK261. It is important that you use the file that corresponds to the MPK keyboard you are updating. 

    Hint: You can drag the entire SysEx Files folder to your desktop to make it easier to find in the next steps. 

  8. In your SysEx application, go to File > Open and locate the SysEX Files folder. Select the corresponding "updatemode.syx" for your keyboard, then click Open to load the file into your application.

  9. When you're ready to begin the update, click Send. The MPK225/MPK249/MPK261 should respond by updating the display to read: Automated Update. It will erase the current memory and then read: Do not remove USB cable. WAITING FOR TRANSFER.



  10. Find the MIDI I/O setting in your SysEx Application again and select Port 1 for your MPK225/MPK249/MPK261 (this may appear as simply "MPK225" "MPK249" or "MPK261").

  11. Again, go to File > Open and locate the SysEx Files folder. Select the file named MPK249_MPK261_FW_v1.02.syx and click Open to load the file into your application. Click Send to begin the update.


  12. Once the update has started, this may take a few minutes. Do not touch or disconnect the keyboard during this time. Your SysEx application may appear busy and show you that the Send is in progress during the update.

  13. When the update is complete, the display on the MPK225/MPK249/MPK261 will update to confirm and prompt you to press ENTER (press down on the selection knob) to restart the keyboard. The display will flash briefly, then return to the Preset screen.


The update should now be complete and your keyboard should be connected and operating normally with your computer. You can use the process above to check that the v1.02 firmware has successfully registered on your MPK225/MPK249/MPK261.