Setting up Phase Essential with rekordbox + most common issues

Phase Essential works with rekordbox in two ways: HID mode over USB, or DVS mode over RCA. This guide covers the setup for both, and how to fix the most common issues. HID mode is the recommended option when your Rekordbox setup allows it: it gives lower latency and better performances. 

What you need

• Phase Essential up to date with Firmware 9
• rekordbox 7.2.16.0342 or later
• macOS 10.12+ or Windows 10+
• DVS unlocked in rekordbox, two options:
  1. Hardware Unlock: any Pioneer DJ or AlphaTheta device from the list at rekordbox.com/support/hardware-unlock
  2. OR rekordbox subscription with Core, Creative, or Professional plan
• A USB connection to your computer for the Phase Receiver, directly or via a USB hub

How to set up Phase Essential with rekordbox in HID (USB cable)

Full instructions and video tutorial available here.

1. Open rekordbox. 
2. Plug the Phase Essential Receiver via USB.
3. Assign the Remotes WIR mode to your jog panels.
4. Take out the Remotes and let them calibrate. 

How to set up Phase Essential with rekordbox in DVS (RCA cables)

Full instructions and video tutorial available here.

1. Connect your Phase Essential to a power source via USB.
2. Plug the Receiver into your mixer's Line inputs via RCA.
3. In Phase Manager's Setup tab, set the DVS signal to rekordbox.
4. In rekordbox, open the settings utility and set your inputs to "Control Tone Line."
5. Go to the DVS tab, make sure DVS is activated, and select "CDJs" instead of "Turntables."
6. Match the audio routing to your deck pair.
7. Place the Remotes on your records and let them calibrate. 

Common Setup Issues - HID

"Phase Essential is Connected" doesn't appear

• Try a different USB cable or port
• Plug the Receiver directly into your computer instead of through a hub
• Check that Phase Essential is on firmware v9
• Check that you are running rekordbox 7.2.16.0342 or later

Everything is plugged in but nothing happens
The Remotes might not be paired to the Receiver. Check that each dock (A and B) shows a solid color matching its Remote, and re-pair if needed. See how to link a Remote.

WIRELESS (A) or WIRELESS (B) doesn't appear 
In the jog panel menu DVS is not unlocked in your rekordbox account. Check one of the following:

• Your Hardware Unlock device is connected
• Your Core, Creative, or Professional subscription is active

Calibration doesn't finish or tracking feels imprecise
Keep the Remote completely still on a flat surface until the LED turns solid. For tighter accuracy, run a Manual Calibration from Phase Manager (Settings > Calibration) with the Remote spinning at 0% pitch.

The Remotes don't control the decks
This is usually a microphone permission blocked by macOS. See this guide to fix it.

Phase keeps disconnecting during a set
One or two decks stop responding, or Rekordbox switches back to INT mode on its own. See this guide for the causes and fixes for HID disconnections.

Common Setup Issues - DVS

No signal, or the scope is not a perfect circle

• Check the mixer's input selector is set to LINE, not PHONO
• Check the inputs are set to "Control Tone Line" in rekordbox settings utility
• Check your routing matches the deck pair you're using (1&2 or 2&3)

See this guide for the full walkthrough.

Wrong DVS signal selected in Phase Manager
In Phase Manager's Setup tab, the DVS signal must be set to rekordbox.

The deck is in Absolute mode instead of Relative
Set the virtual deck to Relative mode in rekordbox. Absolute mode ties playback to a fixed timecode position and will cause jumps.

Something's wrong?
The Phase team is here.