Rane is one of the top creators worldwide of sensational and demanding DJ technology. Over the years, the company has introduced a wide selection of tools, from motorized DJ controllers to mixers. The Rane Twelve was initially released in 2018.
This Serato DJ Pro controller may have looked like just another DJ controller turntable at first glance – but beyond the surface, there was so much more.
The Rane Twelve MK2 had a moving 12-inch black acrylic control disc and vinyl environment, but it couldn’t play vinyl at all. Instead, this motorized DJ performance device had similar technology to the Numark NS711, which allowed users to digitally transfer information from the physical control vinyl system and control their software in the process. I
The Twelve Mkii was an interesting solution for all kinds of audio lovers, giving them that hands on performance experience and the feel of actual turntables, without the traditional vinyl record issues of scratched products, and skipping needles.
Now, Rane has delivered the next stage in this technology, with the Rane Twelve Mk2.
The Rane DJ Twelve Mkii 12 shares many of the leading features available from the original Rane Twelve, with some bonus extras. Let’s take a closer look.
Is the Rane Twelve MK2 any good? (in short)
If you’re looking for a machine that’s proven itself among leading Serato DJs, then you’re in the right place with the Rane Twelve Mk2. Endorsed by leaders like Jazzy Jeff, JFB, and Skratch Bastid, this is a product that stands out from the crowd for all the right reasons.
Rane 12 MK2: Key Features
The Rane 12 Mk2 builds on all the fantastic features that customers fell in love with in the traditional 12.
You still get a secure and reliable device, with solid steel construction and a host of extra features. Some of the highlights of this product include:
- Solid steel construction
- Dual cue mode
- Deck selector
- OLED screen
- 12-inch acrylic control turntable
- Traditional control vinyl platter
- Motorized DJ performance
- Precision slider
- Pitch range control
- Full navigation control
- Start-stop button
- USB Control Status
- 5.0 kfcm high-torque motor
- RCA output
Usability
The Rane Twelve Mk2 is a highly professional piece of equipment. With solid steel construction, you shouldn’t have to worry about any cheap plastic getting broken when you’re on the road. If you’re looking for something that’s going to last a decent amount of time, this could be the product for you.
Traveling DJs will also love this product because you won’t have to deal with any tone arms, stereo RCA output wires, needles, and cartridges.
The Build
The build of the Rane Twelve Mk2 is remarkably similar to the predecessor, with a solid-steel finish intended for long-term functionality. The durable and reliable solid steel construction offers all the confidence you need to deliver music to fans on the road.
There’s also a handy range of features available on this metal chassis, including a strip search function and a recessed motor power switch.
One feature worth mentioning is the cable ports. The earlier Twelve models from Rane placed power connection and USB ports on the back of the device. This meant you couldn’t turn the unit for a club-style performance.
DJs transporting their devices in flight cases might have had issues with clearance too.
The decision to make the Mk2 and more recent MK1 Twelves feature recessed connections on the button of the unit means the devices can be a lot more versatile.
The Vinyl
The vinyl platter is clearly one of the most attractive features of the Rane Twelve Mk2 for a lot of reasons.
The platter is going to feel just the same as using a standard vinyl platter, with plenty of smooth precision control and functionality.
There’s also a quick release function available too.
Adding things like a hot cue and track search functionality to the vinyl performance means that you get the best of both worlds.
You can easily browse through content with your platter, and access things like instant doubles which wouldn’t be available on a standard turntable.
There’s absolutely no latency with the 12-inch DJ controller turntable motorized platter either, so you can enjoy absolute precision.
Functionality
The Rane Twelve Mk2 isn’t just reliable, it’s also a pleasure to use. You can adjust the torque according to your needs, switching between high and low to suit your current preference.
The precision levels are excellent, and everything feels wonderfully smooth. It helps to know that you’re getting 3,600 ticks of platter resolution too.
The traditional panel rotary on the top and motor-off mechanism allows for better precision control and a consistent wind-down effect.
There’s also the option to use the slider for pitch control too.
It’s great to see that you get a whole four decks for control, although you may not want to use all of them. Having extra control support makes it much easier to upgrade your music if you want to do so later.
The 8 hot cue triggers and strip search functionality combine with the deck controller versatility to show you exactly where you are on a track.
Start/Stop Button and Screen
The second edition of the Rane Twelve comes with a plunger-style button to either stop or start the platter.
This is a wonderful replacement for the previous hard plastic button.
You’ll also find a small LED screen on this device, which sits beneath the hot cue strip at the top of the product.
The screen isn’t particularly advanced, but it will make it easier to switch between different control modes, monitor the BPM display, and check which active decks you’re working with.
DVS USB Midi Control
Not just a simple Serato DJ Pro controller, the Rane 12 Mk2 is now compatible with more digital DJ software and offers a wider control selection of connections too.
The two RCA ports included in the Rane Twelve Mk2 allow for excellent control signals to use with DVS control. This reliable signal can output Traktor and Virtual DJ and Serato Noise.
The Rane Twelve Mk2 promises a highly accurate DVS USB midi control experience, with virtual DJ and Serato DJ integration support.
Some DJs do prefer the response of their software via DVS audio control mode, but the Rane Twelve Mk2 allows for wonderful flexibility.
You can use all kinds of performance setting features, ranging from needle search and hot cue to USB connection browsing.
The timecode in the DVS audio signals functionality of this Mk2 Rane Twelve DJ controller ensures that you can open your content up to a leading selection of other software, including Mixxx, Rekordbox DJ, and many others not even mentioned on the Rane product page.
Navigation controls
The Rane Twelve MK2 gives DJs a lot more control over their deck functionality with a few navigation features. This solution is available when you’re using the device in HID mode, with a new scroll and load dial to speed up routines. Instant doubles buttons sit below the navigation components.
The Rane Twelve MK2 should feel very familiar and comfortable for DJs that have played vinyl in the past. You can search for tracks and uncover cues in seconds.
There are also USB and DVS controls. For Traktor, Serato DJ Pro, and virtual DJ, so you have complete freedom over your software.
Although it was possible to use the virtual DJ control service with the Twelve originally, it was programmed directly into the software, which did cause some issues with latency, sticker drift, and resolution.
There’s also the added addition of Traktor to explore, although there’s only a timecode available for now. If you need something that goes beyond the bare bones of Traktor and Virtual DJ this might not be the machine for you.
Additional Features
There are a handful of appealing “extras” on the Rane Twelve Mk2 which help to separate it from previous devices.
For instance, the position indicators will be a great benefit to scratch DJs. There are two white marks on the chassis for 12 and 2.
Scratch professionals can use these to help them line up their needlepoint when scratching.
The Deck selector controls make it easy to jump through decks in seconds, and there are a full 8 hot cues to keep you on track with your music.
A precision slider ensures that you can adjust music output in a beautifully smooth way.
The quick-release clamp on the decks is excellent for scratching, and you also get access to a set of platter speed controls, so you can adjust your RPM.
On top of that, pitch range control ensures that you can switch between 8%, 16%, and 50% in a matter of seconds.
Pros and Cons of the Rane 12 MK2
For most DJs, the Rane Twelve Mk2 will be an excellent step up from the previous, already impressive alternative.
Compared to the Twelve, there are a host of small but valuable changes to check out on the Mk2. Although many of the most valuable features of the original are still the same, there’s expanded control for more scratching functionality, and a wider range of software choices.
Adding DVS control to the Twelve is excellent for anyone converting from older DJ controller turntable technology to the future of digital mixing and demanding DJ performance.
Aside from DJs purchasing these Rane Twelve Mk2 products for portable and battle DJ mixing, clubs could also look into installing the units permanently.
The ability to use the DVS control signal with all platforms is pretty appealing.
The Rane Twelve looks and feels impressive at every turn. The tightness of the integration with the right software, and the full-sized platters are a delight for music creators and players of all kinds.
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Rane Twelve MK2: The Verdict
Of course, this machine isn’t all perfect. For instance, certain platter movements – particularly those that are longer and faster – can cause some issues with the motor. You might find the scratching algorithm doesn’t start as quickly as possible.
This can be an issue with the hardware and the traditional motor not working as well as it should. Although this isn’t going to be an issue for everyone, it is noticeable enough to be annoying.
Another issue is the way that Rane has positioned its on/off switch. On the one hand, placing ports underneath the unit in a recessed section makes it easier to manage your device in a club environment.
However, the power switch underneath the machine means that you have to lift the device up before you can turn it on.
Again, this isn’t a huge issue, but it’s a problematic thing if you’re going to be turning your device on and off regularly.
Those issues, combined with things like the lack of a cue button where you can access a temporary cue, mean that you might not be totally thrilled with every aspect of the Rane Twelve.
However, the issues are small enough that you should be able to overlook them if you love the other features.
The instant doubles button is a particularly attractive feature, along with the ability of the Rane Twelve Mk2 to support a range of software solutions.
One of the biggest problems that most professionals had with the first Twelve was that it was only meant to work with Serato DJ Pro.
Not an issue for Serato DJs but that exclusive level of software support can be really problematic for a lot of DJs. However, the Rane Twelve Mk2 works with the majority of the leading software solutions on the market.
