If David and Goliath were DJ controllers.
If you know anything about DJ brands, you’ll know that there is often a hierarchy of quality. Generally, companies like Pioneer DJ and Denon DJ are at the top while other companies like Rane or Numark are a bit closer to the middle of the pack.
As such, it’ll probably come as a surprise to everyone that we’d even consider comparing a controller like Pioneer DJ’s REV7 with Rane’s One.
After all, surely the REV7 will be the superior option, right?
The reality is that things aren’t that simple.
Pioneer DJ DDJ-REV7 Vs Rane One: Which One is Best?
Both of these controllers are impressive inclusions in the DJ space and are easily at the top of their respective games. This means, regardless of the “winner”, both options will likely appeal to a certain type of DJ over the other.
In this guide, we’ll be comparing the two controllers based on their strengths and weaknesses as well as going over some of their similarities and differences between them.
By the end, we’ll have a definitive winner that will appeal to the majority of people and give you a clue on which will be right for you going forward.
So without further ado, let’s get started!
Pioneer DJ DDJ-REV7 Explained
Starting with Pioneer DJ’s controller first, the REV7 is a relatively new entry in the DDJ lineup.
Coming out in January of 2022, the controller is meant to have strong allusions to the previous REV1 with many features being built with the same structure in mind.
The controller is 28.8 inches wide with a depth of 15.05 inches and a height of 3.24 inches. It weighs in at around 24lbs, making it a hefty boy.
The controller makes a point of including various important features like a full-sized scratch mixer, innovative jogwheels, and a “battle DJ” layout that makes scratch battling incredibly easy as a result.
Read this next: DDJ REV7: The New Pioneer in DJ Town
Things We Like:
- Includes Full-Size Scratch Mixer
- Made From High-Quality Materials
- Impressive Jogwheel Setup
- Numerous Feature & Effect Inclusions
Includes Full-Size Scratch Mixer
The REV7 comes with a full-size MAGVEL FADER PRO scratch pad.
This is not only a very robust and capable inclusion but it can be customized along several different settings to allow you to play with that “scratch battle” aesthetic in mind.
High-Quality Material Build
Being a product of Pioneer DJ, the REV7 is made from top-tier high-quality materials that let you know you’re dealing with something of the highest caliber.
It’s wider and longer than the Rane One while also being a bit less bulky, making it quite manageable despite its size.
Impressive Jogwheel Setup
When it comes to the REV7’s jog wheel setup, they are certainly got an impressive factor going for them.
While both it and the Rane One use motorized jogwheels, only the REV7 has managed to innovate them in a previously unseen way.
Here, the 7-inch jogwheels have rotational stability that is more in line with a 12-inch turntable. Not only that, but the jogwheels themselves have been given a vinyl treatment so that they feel like real old-school turntable records.
Several Impressive Features & Effects
Another incredible selling point when it comes to the REV7 is its myriad of features that practically steamroll over anything even remotely comparable to the Rane One.
For example, while both controllers have crossfader tension controls as a feature, the REV7 has individual adjustments available for the reverse, contour/curve, and up-fader.
This is very different from the Rane One, which has them all as one wholesale adjustment.
Other examples include the REV7 having a Smooth Echo and Silent Cue feature, an Instant Scratch feature, as well as 22 different Beat FX features.
All of these things are completely missing in the Rane One yet are just the tip of the iceberg for the REV7.
Things We Do Not Like:
- Price Point
- Not Quite An All-Metal Body
Price Point
The biggest setback for the REV7 is its price tag. Not only is it more expensive than the Rane One, but it’s also A LOT more expensive than the Rane One.
I’m not sure if this is just because it’s so new or because it’s a Pioneer DJ controller device, but the fact that, while admittedly coming with a few fun additions, is nearly $500 more expensive than its competition is insane.
Not Quite All Metal Body
Kind of meant to prove the point on the pricing fiasco is the fact that, despite being so much more expensive than the Rane One, the REV7 doesn’t have an all-metal build.
Yes, it uses high-quality plastic in its blended areas, but you’d expect with a price like that that everything would be to the highest standard.
The only reason I can think of why it incorporates plastic is to reduce the overall weight. Still, that doesn’t warrant a slightly less durable body compared to something $400-500 cheaper.
Verdict
When it comes to the REV7, it very much is the Goliath in the David v Goliath story. It’s an incredibly massive and impressive device that doesn’t have a lot of slip-ups.
You can use this in just about any professional or “fun” DJ setting and have a great time.
The problem for many is going to come down to its price point.
Unless you’re willing to shell out crazy amounts of money for a device that is only “somewhat” better than its competition, then this is going to feel like you’re paying for a name brand, which you kind of are.
I love Pioneer DJ’s devices, so I’ve come to accept that they’re going to be a bit (or a lot in that case) more expensive, however, I also know that others may expect a few more things for the amount of money they’d be spending.
Rane One Explained
If the REV7 is the “Goliath” of the story, the Rane One is most certainly the “David”. Released in January of 2021, the Rane One is a similarly impressive controller with a ton of things going for it.
With being on the scene for over a year, the Rane One has tried to capitalize on its head start by making it the more impressive and appealing option of the two, and it succeeds in that regard, at least to some extent.
Physically, the Rane One has a 26.5-inch width, a 13.6-inch depth, and a 4.9-inch height while its body weighs almost 24lbs (23.55lbs to be exact).
The controller is fairly comparable to the REV7 in both overall size and builds as well as sharing many of the same features.
From things like its motorized jogwheels to the fact that it also has a mixer scratch pad, to even many of the same performance pad options.
This all works in its favor when you consider that it’s so much more affordable compared to the REV7.
Read this next: Rane One: An UNEQUALLED Motorized DJ Controller?
Things We Like:
- More Affordable
- More Traditional Setup
- All-Metal Build
- More Impressive Power Cable
More Affordable
The big point to consider. While I’m not going to sit here and pretend like the Rane One is anywhere close to free, I will say that it’s very understandably priced for what it offers.
Not only that, but the fact that it is so close to the REV7 in terms of overall quality does speak for itself.
More Traditional Setup
The Rane One, though skimping on the innovation, focuses primarily on offering a tried and true DJ controller experience.
Here, this means the layout is what you’d expect (pitch faders set to the right with performance pads underneath them) while its jogwheels have a more traditional turntable setup.
If you’re interested in a controller that feels like what you’re used to, the Rane One has you covered.
All-Metal Build
While both controllers have a great overall build, only the Rane One is built entirely with metal. This not only ensures it’s more durable but also offers a higher sense of quality compared to the REV7’s metal/plastic blend.
More Impressive Power Cable
This may not seem like a huge factor, however, when it comes to operating and keeping your controller running, the fact that the Rane One uses an IEC power socket (with a built-in transformer) instantly makes it a more compelling case.
This becomes particularly important when you consider that the REV7 uses an outdated external power brick with a 24V DC power input.
For those that don’t understand, essentially the Rane One can charge faster and more easily get to full power compared to the REV7.
While these times aren’t insane differences, the fact that Rane One beats them at all is already very impressive.
Things We Do Not Like:
- Not As Feature-Packed
Not As Feature-Packed
When it comes to the Rane One, that’s kind of the only area it falters in. Now, I understand that this can mean a lot of things to a lot of people so I will go over a few examples.
The main point I’m trying to make is that, while all of these things are “better” to be included than not, their inclusion isn’t worth $500.
Just some of the different effects and features that the Rane One doesn’t have compared to the REV7 include things like many of the aforementioned things (Smooth Echo, Silent Cue, Instant Scratch, etc.).
In addition to those, the controller also misses out on the different port and build options (only one Aux, as an example), often giving one point of access where the REV7 would offer multiple.
- Excellent high-end sound that’s perfect for gigs
- Motorized DJ Decks
- Intuitive and Familiar Layout
- Multiple Software Options Supported
- May Take Getting Used To For Some DJs
- Only Two Channels
Verdict
Honestly, while the REV7 is certainly the more commanding and established of the two controllers, the Rane One offers more than enough to warrant its stay while also even outperforming it in some small areas.
This all goes to say that, if you’re someone that isn’t interested in name brands, or under the idea that price directly correlates to quality, then you’ll love everything that the Rane One offers, even if it’s not exactly everything the REV7 offers.
Which Is Best?
Earlier, I used the David v Goliath sentiment.
That’s not 100% true here. In reality, it’s more like Goliath versus a slightly smaller and less well-known Goliath. A better example would be Xbox v PlayStation if the PlayStation cost $500 more than the Xbox.
While they both deliver a very similar experience, the PlayStation offers a few bits and bobs that are objectively nicer than what the Xbox has. However, its price isn’t anywhere near justified.
And that’s really what we’ve got here. The REV7 is, objectively speaking, a superior controller on features and specs alone.
The jogwheels are particularly awesome and are selling points unto themselves.
However, if you are more money-minded, and aren’t trying to spend excessive funds on something just to make things slightly easier, then there isn’t much more to say. The Rane One does almost everything the REV7 does at between $400 and $500 cheaper.
There’s no getting past that fact.
Another way of saying it is this, if you have the money to invest, then the REV7 will be worth it overall. If you don’t, the Rane One is a VERY, VERY close second that is so well put together you’ll very quickly forget that you were “missing out” on anything.
Pioneer DJ DDJ-REV7 Vs Rane One: Summary
When it comes to the different DJ controllers out there, it can be very easy to assume that “more expensive” automatically translates to “better”. The reality is that each DJ device should be weighed in on to see how they truly stack up against one another.
In some cases, you’d be surprised just how close two company controllers are.
