Rane TTM57SL: the perfect work horse?
Although it’s basically impossible to compete with the MP2015 at this point, the new TTM57mk2 deserves a really close look as well because it doesn’t exactly suffer from a shortage of awesomeness. It’s a blend between the best things about the original TTM57SL and the Sixty-Two. To be honest, we all expected something in a more entry-level price range – but then again, it’s Rane, and you really can’t fault a manufacturer for not wanting to cut any corners.
The first thing I noticed are the new buttons. This is exactly the design change I personally wanted to see on a future Rane mixer: rubber buttons instead of the plastic ones, black on top and transparent on the sides and with RGB backlighting that mirrors your hotcue colours inside Serato DJ. Not that the Sixty-Four needs an upgrade anytime soon, but when it happens… I want those buttons, thank you very much! They look beautiful – but more importantly, they feel really good and have excellent response, too. We’ll see if they’re comfortably mappable for Traktor when it’s time to review the TTM57mk2 properly.
Cross-bred for efficiency
Besides the fully-featured fader section scratch DJs have come to expect from Rane (don’t fix it if it ain’t broke), the TTM57mk2 features a few interesting enhancements – I’ll start with my favourite: the updated joysticks. Located above the line faders, these control four functions depending on which direction you nudge them in. The available functions include censor (momentary reverse playback known as “bleep” from controllers like the NS7mk2 or the NV), toggling between internal playback and DVS control (in case you need to clean a needle or perform some cue mashing and want to avoid skiping), instant-doubling over to the opposing deck and momentary slip mode. The latter alone can lead to some very interesting new turntable tricks!
On the Sixty-Four, I have to either make a custom mapping far away from the faders or hit the slip button twice – this is way too slow to perform really quick moves. A switch directly between the fader and the hotcue buttons though… can we please get DJ Woody one of those and lock him in a basement with recording equipment for a few days? Pushing down on a joystick turns it into a transform switch and there’s also a footswitch port at the front of the unit – so you could use one of those to trigger something your hands are too busy for. Combined with the return of the channel swap button, I can’t begin to describe the amount of crazy ideas for tricks popping into my head right now.
The EQ comes with kill buttons (momentary by default, latching with shift pressed). The effects section is pretty basic – the TTM57mk2 has no internal effects processing at all, but you get both a physical FlexFX loop (RCA) and a USB insert, of course with post-fader return. I can’t tell how those are routed until I test-drive it, but I hope you can combine them like on the Sixty-Four. From the mixer, you can only control the main parameter and the tempo division of one selected effect – this may seem like very little, but keep in mind that this is a unit designed with hip hop DJs in mind – they generally aren’t effect mapping nerds and will be perfectly happy with a post-fader echo (again, something you could map to a foot switch) and loops/loop rolls, which also have a dedicated knob and button. Of course, there are library browsing controls on there as well (I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: hands off the laptop keyboard unless you’re using the search function, damn it!).
There is a session input/output, a mic input (line or mic levels, no phantom power) and auxiliary inputs for each channel. The TTM57mk2 also has a USB aux input which is designed to be used with Serato’s internal SP-6 sampler. Of course, the TTM57mk2 also has a multiclient audio interface built in – two USB ports on the back allow you to hook up two computers. Due to the lack of a dedicated effects section, this doesn’t seem quite as hackable as on the Sixty-Four, so the only use of this feature may be the originally intended one: easy DJ changeovers during gigs or sessions. However, I’ll put this to the test in due time because I suspect there are ways to abuse the aforementioned USB aux input when working with two computers – we’ll see.
In general, the TTM57mk2 doesn’t try to be anything but an extremely efficient work horse. It significantly speeds up your basic work flow, everything important is in place and directly accessible – there are no useless features at all. On a side note, unlike the MP2015, it seems like you can put the TTM57mk2’s knobs on a Sixty-Two / Sixty-Four and probably vice versa. I’ll make sure to check if this works and what it looks like when I get the chance.
Great mixer.. just I really don’t Understand how to use Dry/Wet (if any)
At the top of the effect section is a round button that says Flex FX to toggle external effects on and off.
As I said, there is no wet/dry. External FX units usually have them (some don’t and I’m with you on that, it sucks), Serato effects need some more work in that regard – but that’s not something Rane can fix.
Just wondering the reason for “no hands on the laptop.” I just recently purchased a Z2 so I can actually select tracks from my mixer now.
It’s a personal thing. Seeing DJs use mixers that have perfectly mapped browsing controls on them still reach for the laptop to do the “shift + arrow” combo to load tracks makes me facepalm. Sometimes even headdesk. Or fistwall.
The added buttons seems tiny, I would see something more like a Z2 on the low section.
What about the sound quality ? The 57and 62 don’t have “pristine” sound and you can easily know if something have been played on one of these mixer.
Have you seen the buttons on the original 57? these are a major improvement.
I had a 57SL, the buttons on the original 57 did suck. The buttons on the MKII are better but I really think the Z2’s buttons are the best on a mixer. The buttons and loop section is where the comparisons stop. The 57MKII run circles around my Z2.
Not even sure the Z2 and 57SL MKII should be mentioned in the same sentence although I just did.
LOL.. Yeah, I was just gonna say I dunno if you should compare a NI Z2 to a Rane mixer, just saying. I have to disagree on the buttons though. As an old school style hip hop DJ, I prefer clean and simplicity. No big buttons in the way. Noticed they kept the entire fader section clean. There’s a good reason for that. Especially for scratch DJs. Think of the Ecler HAK series.
The buttons on the Z2 ever got in my way but I have never tried beat juggling on it.. I remember 05 Pro drove me crazy because the cue volume/cue fader was always in the way.
I remember having to use an 05 at a battle but I had a TTM-54 at home. I kept on hitting the cue fader during juggles. I guess they didn’t think that part through since Shortkut helped design the 06.
I’ve always appreciated the TTM and HAK series for that reason.
Now imagine you’re cutting or juggling and you hit a cue point. This happened to me once or twice on the DJM-T1
Yes but still weak imo… They did 2 versions of the original 57 and it wasn’t that good.
I want a mixer that doesn’t say “serato” on it.
I find the TTM57 MKII Part more annoying. It didn’t have to be there. At least not so big. They could’ve went the Technics SL-1200 route and made it more subtle. I get why the serato and rane label are one there, but the type face on the MKII could’ve smaller or nicer looking.
I want a mixer that doesn’t have serato functions on it. I want a “dj mixer” not a button pusher contraption.
http://djworx.com/rane-mp2015-rotary-is-back/
Rane 56S, Rane Empath, the list goes on man.
Quite bold of you to assume that your definition of a DJ mixer applies universally. Technology is moving forward, you don’t have to embrace it – but that’s no reason to be a hater towards those who do.
Because how a mixer looks is so much more important than how it works? If this is so important for you, you could always get some custom skins made – 12inchskinz comes to mind.
Lol
I’ll take it a step further and get that joint painted and laser engraved all over. I literally plan on doing this, one day.
By the way, it’s not “so important” to me, just annoying. I love Rane products by the way. Quality is great. I own a 57SL, 56S as a back up and several SL boxes.
I love the look of the MP2015. Nice and clean design.
There was an era though (which I’m sure you’re from or familiar with) where quality and design went hand in hand. I was into the brushed silver electronic era. Or when everything was matte black. I was merely pointing out the little things. I’m an artist and did graphic design for a while so I tend to look at things like that.
Don’t think for a minute that I’m more concerned about that than what the product actually has to offer. Just to clarify.
Good man! I want to see it. And yes, I believe I’m from “that era” too.
Solution: Thinners & a rag!
Why has rane stopped putting ears on the damn mixers? I like hanging my mixer between my turntable cases.
Because for not everyone likes that. It ends up being wasted space for a lot of people who don’t hang the mixer. I believe you can buy the accessory still though.
nice hhmm i find some how the mp2015 is sexier even though im a scratch mix dj or was till my mixer took a piss
So just to be clear, no effects when using vinyl? Only serato effects with laptop connected?
looking at the rear connections external effects like a Korg PAD can be applied when playing vinyl
You can probably use Serato effects on regular vinyl as well, but I get where you’re coming from. You want effects without using a laptop at all, and in that case you will need a hardware effects processor.
But I don’t understand where is dry/wet
There isn’t. External effects units usually have wet/dry controls built in (some don’t, and that annoys me too). The way effects are handled in Serato generally needs some work – but that’s not Rane’s problem to fix.
Are these the same squishy buttons like the ones found on the 64 and why did they omit the Flex Fx on the Aux?
I hope Serato puts an option in settings to allow the kill switches to latch without pressing shift.
The Sixty-Four doesn’t have “squishy” buttons, it has the same plastic ones found on the Sixty-Two. Those are new, and they feel quite good.
I agree with the idea for an option to make them latch permanently. This should be very easy to implement.
still over priced.
If I were in charge of a brand that deals in high-end gear exclusively, I wouldn’t change my strategy as long as there’s no one to compete with – and for Rane, there simply isn’t. The mid-range may remain a hole for other manufacturers to fill, and given that Denon has just released a Serato box, I guess they may be the one to do it. Or Reloop – seeing as Serato is basically in everyone’s bed now and they seem to be working closely with Innofader, maybe they’ll release a 2-channel mixer with Serato support… or maybe it’s going to be A&H? Time will tell.
Here’s to hoping that Native Instruments will soon release a Traktor Kontrol Z2 mk2 or sth. along the same lines with the same quality and features as Rane’s TTM62 and/or 57mk2!
I’d gladly pay the price of a rane mixer for a new Traktor Mixer if it had 2 USB-ports, three magnetic faders, hardware effects and the famous Rane built-quality!!!
Oh and having kill-buttons and footswitch input on the 57mk2 is bloody awesome => Listen up N.I.!!
In one of the photos, I notice the Mid eq knob is missing. Reminds me of guitar center, where guys take parts off the display mixers.
As with my MP2015 shots, I took the knob off on purpose to show what the stem looks like. Some people care about that :)
The new buttons make the colours of the Ranebow.
“Up above the streets and houses….”
:-)
This looks like a killer mixer, but it makes the mystery of no Serato support on the 2015 even more perplexing.
They brought back the channel swap! That was my main beef with the 64. I’m not digging the no wet/dry though. The boss pedals I tend to use don’t really give you the same nice effect without the wet/dry on the mixer. And looper pedals have to be 100% wet to get full volume input to the unit so a 50/50 mix doesn’t work (your loop will be at 50% volume with a 50/50 mix).
And RCA efx loop? No 1/4″? Nothing cables can’t fix but seems odd being that the good shit is going to use 1/4″.
How do you have beef with the 64 for not having channel swap? It has four channels – I’m curious how you imagine a channel swap button would work here. Or maybe you mean the 62?
What’s up Arkaei. I actually DID mean the 62. 61 has the channel swap, the 62 doesn’t. I don’t know about the 64 but assignable channels would be nice. When you cut “regular” it’s nice to have the upfader directly above your fader hand so that you can fade with one finger while still cutting with the crossfader (fading chirps, one click-flares, etc.) “True-fades” or “Mules”. Channel swap allows you to do that. Doesn’t matter if you cut hamster because the upfader is already right there, directly above the side you cut on, by default.
sooo, the price of the 62 has gone up to 2400-2500 €, and it seems that the 57 mk2 will be released around the 2100-2200 € mark. Strange strategy. Who would pay 2500 € for a 62?
people that still like using Scratch Live?
actually 62 is 1838 € http://www.audiotek.cz/rane-sixty-two-49828.html and I was told that 57mk2 will be 1630 €
GOOD ONE RAY