When connected via USB, the Radium 49 is automatically recognized by macOS’s native USB MIDI driver. You will see the device in:
Working:
Not Working without workarounds:
Since the device is class-compliant, follow these steps to get it working without a proprietary driver.
The M-Audio Radium 49 is a legacy USB MIDI controller released in the mid-2000s. Official driver support from M-Audio (inMusic) ceased after macOS 10.14 Mojave. For modern macOS versions (10.15 Catalina through macOS 14 Sonoma and later), the device can only function as a class-compliant MIDI controller without access to advanced features (assignable buttons/faders) unless third-party workarounds are applied.
| User Profile | Recommended Action | |--------------|--------------------| | Need only basic keyboard playing (notes, pitch, mod) | Use native macOS driver – works fine | | Need knobs/sliders for studio use | Use DAW MIDI Learn + manual mapping | | Need full original functionality (buttons, presets, editor) | Use a legacy macOS system (10.13 High Sierra) or a Windows PC | | Running macOS 15+ (Sequoia) | No change; class-compliant only – same as Sonoma | m-audio radium 49 driver mac
Final Verdict: The M-Audio Radium 49 is not officially supported on modern macOS, but remains usable as a basic MIDI controller. For professional or critical use requiring all 49 keys + full controller features, consider replacing it with a modern, class-compliant controller (e.g., M-Audio Oxygen Pro, Arturia KeyLab, Novation Launchkey).
Report compiled based on M-Audio legacy driver archives, inMusic support knowledge base, macOS system logs, and community testing on MacForums, Gearspace, and GitHub. No future driver updates are expected from the manufacturer.
M-Audio Radium 49 is a legacy "end-of-life" product that is no longer officially supported
on modern macOS versions. Because it is "pre-class compliant," it requires specific drivers that were last officially updated for Mac OS X 10.8.5 (Mountain Lion) Driver Compatibility & Workarounds
If you are on a modern Mac (macOS Catalina 10.15 or newer, including Sonoma/Ventura), the official USB drivers will not work. Here are your options: Use a MIDI-to-USB Interface (Recommended) When connected via USB, the Radium 49 is
: This is the most reliable workaround. Instead of using the Radium’s built-in USB port, connect a standard MIDI DIN-to-USB cable from the Radium's
port to your Mac. This bypasses the need for legacy Radium drivers, as most modern MIDI-to-USB interfaces are "class-compliant" and work automatically. Legacy Drivers (Old Systems Only)
: For older macOS versions (10.10 and below), users have successfully used the MIDI USB Driver v3.5.3 Audio MIDI Setup Utility
: If using an older OS, you can manually try to "Create a New MIDI Device" in the Apple Audio MIDI Setup
utility (Applications > Utilities) to see if the system can recognize the input. Where to Find Files Official Legacy Support : You can search for older drivers on the M-Audio Legacy Downloads Troubleshooting Guide : Review the M-Audio Troubleshooting Guide for general tips on MIDI device recognition. Note on Hardware Working:
: Some users report that older Radium 49 units may require an external 9V DC power supply
if the USB port on newer Macs does not provide sufficient "parasitic" power. zZounds.com MIDI-to-USB interface to get your keyboard working on a modern Mac? Legacy product documentation, driver and software downloads
Since no official driver exists for modern macOS, the following methods can restore knob/slider functionality:
Apps like MIDI Pipe or Controller Mate can sometimes sniff the raw data from the knobs (which send CC messages, just via a different protocol the Mac doesn't parse automatically). However, success is limited and requires heavy technical tinkering.
Most DAWs allow MIDI Learn. Map the Radium’s knobs/sliders manually to parameters.
Limitation: The device sends raw MIDI CCs; without the driver, the mapping is not persistent across all software.
If you need those faders and knobs, you have three options: