The Rane Performer is finally here and offers four channels, motorized platters, on-board FX and stem splitting and oh so much more.
Rane Performer
The worst-kept secret in DJ gear, the Rane Performer is finally here after months of leaks and trigger-happy DJs demoing it on their socials. But that’s cool because the four-channel DJ controller was clearly worth the wait, with a whole crate-load of functions aimed squarely at the professional DJ.
The Platters That Matter
The first thing you’ll notice is the set of two turntable-like platters. Motorized with high-torque for a physical turntable feel, Rane has made the seven-inch-sized platters from die-cast aluminum. They also sport acrylic discs on the top to feel like vinyl.
Rather than have a main screen above the mixer, the middle of each wheel features a 3.5-inch circular LCD display with multiple waveform and library views plus album art. Day Mode, a brightness setting, lets you see everything clearly even in bright light.
Never Cross-Fade Away
Although Rane originally made a name for itself with rotary mixers, the Performer has hip-hop, turntablist and other quick-cut DJs in mind. It boasts a Mag Four crossfader and four dual-rail magnetic tension Precision Feel volume faders. They offer adjustable tension and customizable fader curves and reversals.
Finger drummers will like the 16 multi-color back-lit pads and their dedicated OLED Pad Mode displays.
Stems In Effect
Although Rane designed Performer to work seamlessly with Serato and its effects, the new controller also has its own onboard effects suite. This includes 29 main effects and four knob-controlled channel effects. Whew!
Not content to stop there, Rane has also injected Performer with stem-splitting algorithms. STEM-SPLIT, STEM LEVEL, STEM Pad Mode and instant Acapella/Instrumental buttons let you remix tracks on the fly directly from the controller itself.
The Ins and Outs
More than just a MIDI controller, Performer has a full complement of connectivity, including a set of XLR main outputs, quarter-inch booth outs, two XLR/quarter-inch microphone inputs, two pairs of RCA stereo input jacks for decks three and four if you’re an octopus, quarter-inch and eighth-inch TRS headphone outputs plus two USB Type-B ports.
Rane Performer: So Much Want
Regular readers of Gearnews will know that I’m a longtime DJ. I started with hip-hop and Technics SL-1200s back in the ‘80s and then moved on to funk, house and breaks. Through it all, I’ve always preferred the quick-cut style of crossfaders and working with physical turntables. All of this means that the Rane Performer is pretty much my ideal controller. All I’d miss is spindles to pinch but I think I can live without them.
Rane Performer is available now.
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