RANE SEVENTY-TWO (72) MKII DJ Mixer

• 4.3” touch screen displaying moving Serato DJ Pro waveforms
• Dual die-cast aluminum FX paddles
• External crossfader tension adjust
• Dual USB ports allowing back-to-back DJing and seamless changeovers
• 16 RGB performance pads to control Serato DJ Pro pad modes
• Easily load scratch samples or full tracks with the Scratch Bank Pad Mode

While the RANE SEVENTY-TWO MKII hasn't undergone significant changes from its original version, it remains one of the most feature-rich and comprehensive DJ mixers I've ever had the pleasure of using. Despite its multitude of features, it doesn't come across as daunting or excessively intricate. Its complexity is adaptable to your preferences: during my initial experiences with it, I operated it like any other 2-channel battle mixer. However, as I delved deeper into its functionalities, I stumbled upon new features and innovative ways to interact with my music. While I might not suggest this as a first DJ mixer for someone, I also believe intermediate and experienced DJs need not be intimidated by the SEVENTY-TWO MKII.

Arguably, the most crucial aspect of any battle mixer lies in its faders, and the SEVENTY-TWO MKII absolutely shines in this department. Both the line faders and crossfader utilize RANE's contactless Mag Four fader technology, and there's an abundance of options for customizing the faders right on the front panel. DJs have control over contour and can reverse the direction of all three faders. Moreover, the crossfader boasts a hardware tension knob, granting me the ability to fine-tune the desired level of resistance. Out of the box, the line faders felt well-balanced, and I didn't find myself longing for tension adjustment knobs for them. Situated just above the fader section are eight MPC-style RGB-backlit performance pads. When connected to Serato DJ, these pads govern various software functions, including cues, loops, slicer, sampler, and pitch play. Even in the absence of DJ software connectivity, these pads can still trigger various hardware effects. The mixer also features two aluminum paddles that can activate software and hardware effects – pulling them down applies an effect temporarily, while pushing them up locks in the effect. Each channel, in line with mixers of this class, is equipped with a 3-band EQ and high/low pass filter.

However, the star attraction of the SEVENTY-TWO MKII is undoubtedly the 4.3-inch full-color touchscreen positioned between the two channels. When linked to Serato DJ, users can browse and load tracks, observe track waveforms, and manipulate different features within the Serato DJ interface. (It's worth noting that this unit also functions with VirtualDJ and Traktor, albeit with reduced screen functionality when using the latter software.) Personally, my favorite aspect is the touch effects feature, which transforms the touchscreen into an X-Y pad for controlling effect parameters and a high/low pass filter. Intriguingly, even without software connection, the mixer and its screen remain useful: I could still operate the onboard effects using the paddles or touchscreen, and the mixer maintained its impressive functionality even when used without DJ software.