Reloop’s retro styled KUT scratch mixer

Many of us mourn the loss of Vestax and their unique way of doing things. So does Reloop it seems, and their new 2 channel scratchcentric KUT mixer absolutely harks back to the era where black and gold was cool on a DJ product, but blended what is good from today's scene.

Reloop KUT scratch battle mixer innofader (1)

Many of you won’t be aware, but German purveyor of DJ gear Reloop has been going for many years. And part of their offering back in the day was a selection of scratch mixers. The original Reloop lineup of Cut, Scratch, and Scratch 2 closely followed the Vestax PMC06, 05, and 07 respectively. And now they’re back with an updated and dedicated battle mixer, this time called the KUT. Hey you Dutch DJs — stop sniggering at the back there.

DIGITAL BATTLE MIXER WITH INNOFADER

Reloop is proud to introduce KUT, a digital 2-channel battle mixer, which impresses with its classic design and modern features. The development of this mixer was focused on the art of turntablism and scratching.

Gerald Barbyer (CEO Reloop)

“KUT is an homage to the golden days of battle mixers enhanced with all advantages of modern technology”, says Gerald Barbyer, CEO of Reloop. “Besides a non-contact InnoFader, we have built in dynamic instant effects as well as a flexible 24-bit audio interface. This is a solid digital mixer with an old school flair.”

InnoFADER – a high-quality and precision fader section

Together with its very smooth battle line-faders, KUT is particularly well-suited for precise cutting thanks to the supplied innoFADER, with its non-contact technology meeting even the highest standards. Crossfader and linefader curves can be customised and adapted to personal preferences. KUT also has a crossfader reverse function (hamster switch).

Dynamic FX – digital performance effects

In the centre of the mixer is the dynamic FX section with 7 effects, including phase/flange, white noise, LPF/HPF filter, gate/crush for creative remixing. The on/off function can toggle the effects, the large easy-grip knob caps offer pleasant resistance and the green status LEDs show immediately if an effect is active.

High-speed 8 in/6 out USB audio interface

With the integrated audio interface, with excellent sound quality in 24-bit/96 kHz, incoming signals from a turntable, CD player or even the combined master output can be recorded via USB. This means that your mix can be directly recorded onto PC & Mac. KUT can also be used as a hardware mixer with DVS systems that allow for freely configurable audio interface support.

Classic construction with a visually separated panel layout

The 2-channel layout with 3-band EQ and switchable modes (classic/isolator) has a very clear design and is generous in its dimensions. An additional AUX/MIC channel with combined XLR/6.3mm jack socket plus 3.5mm mini jack input gives the option of connecting a microphone or another line source. 2 headphone outputs (6.3mm & 3.5mm) are located on the front panel. The high-retention USB 2.0-port has proven to be particularly resistant and ensures a stable cable connection. KUT was designed with an oldschool look out of brushed champagne-gold & black aluminium. The fader section is clearly separated visually on the faceplate.

In cooperation with BPM Supreme

With any purchased KUT the DJ record pool adds a 90 days Premium Membership with a value of 60 $ for their huge audio & video library – contending latest releases directly received from the record labels.

Features

  • Digital 2-channel battle mixer with classic design, including a dynamic effect unit
  • Developed for turntablists and scratch artists
  • innoFader with non-contact technology for precise cutting
  • Very smooth and high-quality battle linefaders
  • Customisable curves for crossfader and linefaders
  • Crossfader reverse function (hamster switch)
  • Dynamic FX section with 7 combined effects: Phase/flange, white noise, LPF/HPF filter, gate/crush
  • Creative toggling of effects via the on/off function
  • Green status LEDs give direct visual feedback of the dynamic FX section
  • High-speed 8 in/6 out USB audio interface with excellent sound quality in 24-bit/96 kHz
  • Recording of incoming signals (phono/line/master) via USB to PC/Mac
  • Selection of USB-recording source via switch on the back
  • DVS-enabled for software with freely configurable audio interface support
  • 3-band EQ with switchable modes (classic/isolator)
  • Additional Aux/Mic channel with combined XLR/jack socket
  • Two headphones outputs via 3.5/6.3 mm jack socket
  • MIDI-compatible control elements
  • High-retention USB 2.0-port, particularly resistant
  • Visually separated panel layout, clear separation of fader section
  • Brushed black aluminium and metallic gold finish
  • Fader-start via 3.5 mm control cable
  • Kesington Lock to secure the device
  • Incl. three-month BPM Supreme Premium membership with a value of 60 $

Technical Details

  • Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
  • Inputs: 4x phono RCA, 4x line RCA, USB IN
  • Outputs: Master XLR (balanced), master RCA (unbalanced), booth RCA (unbalanced), headphones 3.5/6.3 mm jack
  • EQ range at 70 Hz, 1 kHz, 13 kHz: -25 dB/+12 dB
  • EQ range MIC at 100 Hz, 10 kHz: -12 dB/+12 dB
  • Dimensions: 355 x 254 x 104 mm
  • Weight: 4 kg

Available now :

Price: 499 € | 499 US $ | £ 400

The Good Old Days

There’s no denying that the DJ market is always up for a for a good 2 channel mixer, especially when dipped in the Vestax retro styling pool. The black and gold is classic and indeed current Vestax to a T, or V as it were, and will immediately draw old romantics like myself to it. For newer scratch DJs, they may feel it’s a shiny mess that needs to be all black like all the other mixers out there. Time will tell.

But when I look at the features, I fond myself asking a simple question…

Reloop's retro styled KUT scratch mixer

SCRATCH MIXER?

I stated a long time ago that I’ve stopped recognising the idea of battle/scratch mixers. With the DJ industry being a huge melting pot, I see mixers as being vehicles for techniques and required number of channels rather than being tied to a genre or scene. Indeed, the KUT typifies this perfectly. Having a USB interface, onboard effects, and other non-turntablist features makes this ideal for all manner of DJs. Why limit it to scratch DJs only? How many of you mix more than two channels anyway?

I showed this to diverse members of the DJWORX family, one with a decidedly scratchy background, and another who is definitely not. And we all came up with the same initial response — why put screws in the fader area? To me, the wiser move would have been to have an upper and lower faceplate (especially given the graphics) with a slot for the crossfader, and simply remove 4 screws and 3 fader caps. Aesthetics aside, I see no benefit in having screws right next to the fader. If the fader can be screwed to the chassis, I’m sure that clever third party faceplate providers will provide a more elegant solution, and have options with aesthetics too.

Another thing — if this had been designed with turntablism and scratching in mind, where are the channel reverse switches. It has curves so why not reverses too to complete the scratch DJ setup?

Some will wonder about the inclusion of the USB interface. Given that it won’t work (at this time anyway) with Serato DJ, nor will it work with Traktor Scratch Pro without Chad G’s hack, who is this aimed at? VirtualDJ will doubtlessly have this plugging and playing in an instant, and with rekordbox’s current open but official unsupported architecture, this will almost certainly work with a little tinkering there too.

On this note, I like that there is a switch on the rear to turn the whole mixer into a MIDI controller. Again, not everyone needs a scratch mixer, and just needs a decent hardware controller for the likes of Traktor Pro.

SUMMING UP

Ultimately, the Reloop KUT delivers a 2 channel mixer with effects, USB interface, and an Innofader for a decent price. Despite the obvious scratch focus in the marketing, it will appeal to those who really don’t need 4 channels, and just want a solid performer with features usually reserved for 4 channel mixers. Pricing is $499/€499/£ 400 and is available now.

GALLERY

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Mark Settle
Mark Settle

The old Editor of DJWORX - you can now find Mark at WORXLAB

Articles: 1228

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60 Comments

  3. Oh boy this is awkward. It is clear that there works no personal from The Netherlands @ Reloop, because otherwise they wouldn’t come up with this name for this mixer. (“Kut” is the Dutch word for the female genital and is also often used as a swear word. For example a “Kut Mixer” would be a very bad mixer that does not work). I hope someone will inform Reloop about this.

  8. I second the statement about the screws in the fader area.. that kind of killed it for me right off the bat. I’d like to know more about the internal soundcard ins/outs and midi.. if we could record individual outputs from our DVS software into separate channels in ableton and have the midi info recorded to handle the crossfades between those tracks in ableton that would be great to be able to mix live, then clean it up later for post production

  11. I’m glad this mixer exists. Can’t really name another mixer besiders the TRX with a full bodied innofader out the box. The screws are pretty far away from the actual fader area, so unless you’ve got frankenstein hands, you should be free from knuckle abrasion on all your flares and orbits.

    The (very) pretty paint job on this joint made me realize how much I miss vestax. It kind of sucks to see Pioneer and Rane duking it out all by their lonesome in the scratch mixer market. A modern PMC – 05 would probably be an amazing mixer.

  12. Mehs:
    No echo / delay.
    No send return.
    No rec out.
    Green leds, should have been red or orange.

    Hope it’s class compliant and there are no pops when engaging fx.

    All in all – not bad at all!

  13. I want to be excited for this mixer because Reloop makes quality gear. Love my RP-7000s! But for around the same price you could have the Pioneer DJM-450 with a Rekordbox DVS license! Add a Serato DVS box and you could have both softwares. Want four channels step up to Reloop’s own RMX90 DVS. Make a 2-channel version of the RMX90. That’s a no brainer to me.

    • You do understand that this mixer works also with RekordboxDJ DVS and any other non-proprietary DVS software? And that the DJM-450 you mentioned ONLY works with RekordboxDJ?

      The only thing Reloop could have done is made a deal with Serato for it to be a SDJ enabled hardware but would you then be willing to pay +250$ on the price?

      • Yeah, it works with Rekordbox DJ until like Pioneer decides to go proprietary with Rekordbox DVS then you have an overpriced paperweight that works only with Virtual DJ and Mixvibes. So, the Reloop Kut is more likely to lose DVS compatibility than gain in the future. I get your point about cost. Which is why, to me, makes more sense to buy hardware I KNOW will be supported by DVS software in the future.

        • If you go by that argument then you might just never buy a mixer with internal sound interface because sooner or later they all become overpriced paperweights. Look what happened to Rane 57. Look at older Denon mixers, they are all mac class compliant yet don’t work with Sierra and High Sierra OS.

          What I’m trying to say is that there is no guarantee of a longer product life. Interfaces are dependant on OS and firmware and integrating them inside the mixer (that can last on it’s own at least 15+ years) is a flawed choice in many regards.

          https://djworx.com/audio-interfaces-in-mixers-bad-idea/

          • You’re overcomplicating an issue that’s not very complicated to begin with. It’s about a mixer that has official software support versus one that does not have official support at all. I’ve been down this rabbit hole before, chasing firmware, patches and software updates, trying to make a piece of hardware work with software that wasn’t intended to work together in the first place. Ever build a Hackintosh? I have. It can be fun and challenging at first then it just works out to be a huge headache that can be solved by purchasing a real Mac in the first place. Done debating this with you. Been there done that and have the t-shirt. If I spend money on hardware, I want it to work for at least the lifespan of the software I purchased it to work with. Period. Move along.

            • It seems you are the one overcomplicating an issue. This not about DJ software support but about how long will each manufacturer patch firmware/issue new drivers to enable to you to change OS’s on your laptop in the product lifetime.
              In that regard, it doesn’t matter if this thing is SDJ certified because that doesn’t mean Reloop will support it for any longer.

              • I’ve read this thread a few times, and can’t work out exactly what you’re arguing about now. The bottom line is that the Reloop Kut is unsupported in any software. You can probably get it to work with DVS in anything except Serato DJ, which is probably the main one that people want. But that’s unlikely to happen unless Reloop cough up a lump sum for the pleasure, indeed if Serato has any interest in supporting it at all.

                Let’s move on from this thread. It has the hallmarks of getting out of hand.

              • This IS a DJ website that focuses on hardware/software news, trends and tips is it not? So, the support (or lack of support) for ANY DJ software by a specific hardware device is indeed germane to the mission of DJWorx and the resulting discussions by its readers/subscribers. I am not attempting to start a pointless flame war based on mere fanboy loyalty to a specific software or hardware manufacturer. And I think that’s part of the problem here. Unlike many others who post here, I am brand agnostic. I rely on sites and communities like DJ Worx to examine each product for its individual merits. As a consumer who can’t afford brand loyalty for the sake of brand loyalty (I have already pointed out I have a pair of Reloop RP-7000s and enjoy them very much), I am merely saying this mixer is not the product for me for the aforementioned reasons. I don’t have the time or patience to keep a piece of hardware running on a particular piece of software that does NOT have official support for a DJ Software. I would rather spend my money on products I KNOW will work and be supported straight out of that box. The same applies for software. If Serato doesn’t keep up its relationships with hardware manufacturers, they could lose my business too. Although, they seem to be doing a pretty good job thus far. It’s my money. I worked for it. I will spend it where I please.

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