MWM just announced a firmware update to its Phase wireless timecode system, alongside a software update to its MWM Connect app. The updates include tweaks to both the receiver and remotes.
For the receiver, an auto-calibration system that corrects tempo shift issues has been implemented, along with better pairing of the Phase remote and receiver and USB communication tweaks to prevent unintended disconnections. For the remotes, accuracy has been improved along with battery usage optimisation, plus the Security/Sleep mode issue has been addressed.
MWM also provided a roadmap for future Phase improvements, including a fix for the pesky auto-switching to Internal Mode that has plagued some Serato DJ users, cue point drift, and Midi compatibility plus new gestures.
The promise and the reality
Phase is one of the most exciting ideas to come to digital DJing: It essentially lets you spin with a DVS without the need for needles, tonearms and timecode vinyl. DJs absolutely loved the idea when it was introduced back in NAMM 2018, but a handful of delays and stability issues with the launch version of the product have left a bad taste in some DJs’ mouths.
That said, MWM did promise to fix these issues and that’s why this firmware update is such a big deal. It remains to be seen if the update completely fixes these issues (the PR, for instance, admits that at least one of them is still a work in progress), and in themselves firmware upgrades carry the risk of failure either through user error or system issues, but Phase has issued a tutorial to help. Proceed with caution, Phase users, and let us know in the comments how you got on!
Tutorial Video
https://youtu.be/o4gJWJFThXQ
• The Phase firmware update is available now. Check the Phase site for more details.
What are your thoughts on Phase? Do you own it? Do you like it or not? What can be improved? Let us know below.
Joey Santos
