Rane Performer: The Ultimate Controller for Serato DJ’s
FIRST IMPRESSIONS & SETTING UP
If you’ve handled the RANE Four, the RANE Performer will feel familiar yet intriguingly different. While it retains much of the physical design of its predecessor, the changes are significant. The most noticeable upgrade is the new motorized seven-inch platters with real vinyl on top and integrated screens in the middle, drawing clear inspiration from Pioneer DJ’s DDJ-REV7 controller for Serato.
The vinyl tops are magnetically attached and come with several slip strips, allowing you to customize the feel to your preference. This feature showcases RANE’s expertise, as inMusic, the parent company, has a long history of producing high-quality motorized platters across various DJ brands.
Beneath these platters, you’ll find slip strips that can be swapped out, giving you control over the tactile response. Additionally, the upfaders have been completely redesigned, addressing feedback from RANE Four users. These new upfaders are tension-adjustable via external screws, making it easy to customize their feel without opening the unit. The Mag 4 crossfader also features an external tension adjust, another improvement over the internal adjustment on the RANE Four.
Setting up the RANE Performer involves installing drivers and possibly a firmware update. These processes are straightforward and quick. The unit includes the essential Pitch ‘n Time plug-in for Serato, although it doesn’t come with the DVS Expansion pack, which you’ll need if you plan to use turntables with Serato’s DVS capabilities. Nonetheless, the Performer unlocks Serato DJ Pro, ready to go right out of the box.
IN USE
If you’re familiar with the RANE Four, you’ll find many similarities in the Performer. Both controllers offer comprehensive control over Serato, including unique stems features and excellent hardware effects. However, the Performer brings three major upgrades:
Motorized Platters
The motorized platters on the RANE Performer feature high-torque motors with genuine vinyl tops that magnetically snap into place. The integrated color screens, while not smartphone-level resolution, are clear and functional. They can display full and zoomed-in waveforms, track information, and even Serato’s spinning deck view. This extensive information display means you can DJ without constantly looking at your laptop, enhancing your performance flow.
New Hardware Fader Effects
The Performer builds on the RANE Four’s 22 hardware effects by introducing fader effects. These include fader filter, fader pitch, fader ring modulation, fader roll, and fader tone. These effects transform your channel faders into dynamic controls when activated, offering creative possibilities for manipulating sound in real-time.
Fader filters can be high pass, low pass, or band filter, while fader pitch allows real-time pitch changes. The ring modulator adds a grungy, lo-fi sound, and the roll effect is perfect for loop rolls. The tone effect generates tones like sine and sawtooth waves, which can be controlled by assigning scales and keys. While some effects may be niche, they add a layer of creativity for adventurous DJs.
Improved Upfaders
The four upfaders on the Performer have been upgraded, mounted on individual vertical circuit boards for durability and ease of adjustment. You can tighten or loosen them to your liking, catering to DJs who use upfaders creatively as well as those who focus on the crossfader. These adjustments ensure all five faders on the Performer are top-tier, surpassing those on the RANE Four.
RANE Performer vs. Alternatives
RANE One
For those who prefer a simpler setup with motorized jogwheels, the RANE One is a solid choice. It’s smaller and simpler with only two channels but offers comprehensive control over Serato, making it perfect for scratch DJs who want to avoid lugging around turntables.
Pioneer DJ DDJ-REV7
If you’re looking for a more performance-oriented controller with deeper Serato integration, consider the Pioneer DJ DDJ-REV7. It features a scratch-friendly layout with horizontal pitch controls and in-jog displays similar to the RANE Performer. However, it only has two channels, compared to the Performer’s four.
Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX10
If stems control is your priority and motorized platters aren’t essential, the Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX10 might be a better fit. While its Serato integration isn’t as polished, it offers unique ways to use stems, like sending individual elements through effects. However, the FLX10 can feel like a step backward compared to its predecessor, the DDJ-1000SRT, especially when compared to the RANE Performer.
RANE Four
The RANE Four remains an excellent choice if motorized platters aren’t a necessity. While the Performer’s platters can be turned off, they don’t behave quite like the fixed platters on the RANE Four, making the latter a better option for those who prefer traditional jogwheels.
CONCLUSION
The RANE Performer is a sophisticated and powerful controller for Serato DJ Pro. It’s ideal for open format and performance DJs who need deep integration with Serato’s features. Whether you need motorized platters or the enhanced upfaders and fader effects, the Performer delivers.
If you’ve been waiting for a motorized platter version of the RANE Four, the RANE Performer is your answer. It’s currently the ultimate Serato DJ controller on the market, offering unparalleled control and creative potential. For those who don’t need motorized platters, the RANE Four is still a fantastic option.
Choosing the right gear can be overwhelming, but the RANE Performer stands out as a top choice for DJs looking to push their performances to the next level.
Features
| Item Weight | 28.2 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 15.84 x 30.84 x 4.32 inches |
| Country of Origin | Taiwan |
| ASIN | B0D67231B6 |
| Item model number | PERFORMER |
| Date First Available | June 25, 2024 |
| Color Name | black |
- Creativity in motion - 7" Motorized high torque aluminum platters with magnetic acrylic discs, Build in Displays for Song info and Waveforms, OLED Pad Mode Displays, Advanced FX and Stem Controls
- Stems Advanced - Intuitive DJ Set Stem modes including Stem-Split, Stem Level, Stem Pad Mode, and instant Acapella/Instrumental buttons available with the unlocked potential of Serato DJ Pro
- Perfected Faders - DJ Mixer featuring adjustable tension Precision Feel volume faders and Mag Four crossfader for ultra-smooth, reliable, and consistent response when playing
- Expressive DJ Equipment - DVS-enabled with 29 paddle-triggered fully customizable Main FX, 4 knob-controlled Channel FX, 16 on/off multi-color pads with OLED displays, Serato Pitch ‘n Time included
- Robust Interface Suite - (2) XLR outs (Main), (2) 1/4" outs (Booth), RCA stereo out pair (Main), (2) XLR / 1/4" TRS ins (Mic 1–2), (2) RCA stereo in pairs (Deck 3-4), 1/4" and 1/8" TRS outs
- Trusted RANE Quality - Solid, metal construction, MAG FOUR crossfader, aluminum FX toggles, industry-leading sound quality and connections ensure RANE PERFORMER will always perform like a champ
- Built for Battle - 28.20 lbs.
