DJ EXPO 2017: Rane TWELVE — 12 inches of digital pleasure

For years, there was a standing joke in scratch forums about a Rane turntable. But now in the inMusic camp, that's a 12" Serato DJ controlling reality.

Rane inmusic Twelve 12" motorised digital turntable deck controller Serato DJ (3)

So the leaks were true (they generally are), and Rane is now in the turntable business. The digital turntable business that is, for the Rane TWELVE (love the name) is essentially an audio-free turntable without a tonearm, and a few buttons and bits added for good measure. Yes, it’s a controller for Serato DJ more than anything.

I have a lot to say about this, so first let’s read what Rane is proposing with the new TWELVE:

The TWELVE Battle Controller

Rane DJ presents the TWELVE Battle Controller, a simple, pure and powerful motorized DJ control system without needle skippage or tone arm hopping. The TWELVE has all the characteristics and simplicity of a “traditional” direct-drive turntable but without the hassle of fragile needles and skipping tone arms.  Keeping things consistent with a familiar turntable layout and size, the only clear differentiator is a precision, multi-function touch strip for track searching and setting or triggering hot cues in place of the tone arm.

The vinyl experience is fully customizable with your favorite slipmat. With an all-metal body like the SEVENTY-TWO, the TWELVE is built like a tank, but it has the agility of a sports car. It is truly Battle- Ready. With the TWELVE, the DJ can scratch and play with all the direct spontaneity and creativity of a turntablist, but with the precision, repeatability and durability of the best digitally-based solutions. The TWELVE is the very best of both. There is simply nothing else like it, anywhere.

Highlights of the TWELVE:

  • Full 12” Vinyl with motorized platter to control playback
  • Traditional, familiar turntable layout, no need to learn something new
  • Strip Search with 8 hot cue triggers access
  • 5.0 kfcm High torque motor with Hi/Low torque adjust for more traditional setups
  • 4 decks of control so you can use one, two or more
  • Extreme precision—3600 ticks of platter resolution for seamless performance
  • MIDI interface via USB that can be connected to the SEVENTY-TWO or your computer
  • 33 1/3 and 45 rpm platter speeds
  • 8/16/50% pitch with precise dual resolution detented slider
  • Top Panel rotary and traditional Motor Off switch, allows traditional wind down effects
  • Serato DJ OSA READY

“Our challenge was to develop these breakthrough products while still maintaining our unwavering commitment to our legendary performance quality and rock-solid reliability,” said Colin Issler, Senior Design Engineer for Rane’s Seattle-based Engineering and Design team. He added, “We love a challenge. We thrive on a challenge. Hold my beer. Challenge conquered.”

U.S. retail for the SEVENTY-TWO and TWELVE will be $1899 and $799 respectively. Availability will be 4th Q 2017.

Please visit Rane at DJ Expo August 14–17, 2017, booth #115.

DJ EXPO 2017: Rane TWELVE — 12 inches of digital pleasure

IN A NUTSHELL

The Rane TWELVE is a controller with a full sized motorised platter, slipmat, and vinyl. It has no media slot, tonearm, or audio capability at all. It is designed to plug and play with the Rane SEVENTY TWO, but will also work from laptops via USB, making it Serato DJ capable for users of other devices too.

FIRST THOUGHTS ABOUT THE RANE TWELVE

I saw the first render floating around online about 10 days ago, and to be honest I thought it was fake. Being pretty poor image quality with a layout that lacked a screen and poor button positioning, I just dismissed it, and waited for something better.

But what I saw via Skype from inMusic HQ in Rhode Island was exactly the same as the low res render. This was not what I was expecting at all. I’m used to envelope-pushing designs crammed full of every modern bell and whistle imaginable. Instead I was presented with a box that lacked a lot of what I expected, and in a layout that just didn’t make any sense.

I don’t think my initial reaction went down as well as the collected Rane staffers had hoped. So allow me to explain why I didn’t wet my pants and fall head over heels in lust.

SO SPLIT

I don’t think I’ve ever been so split on a new product. On one hand, I simply cannot believe that Rane didn’t take the opportunity to deliver all that is great and good in the brave new DJ world in a turntable sized box, especially when the SEVENTY TWO goes into nextleveleness overload in comparison. There’s not even a screen. And when you look at the implied battle position layout (the screen print dictates that), everything is at the back and as far away from the DJ’s hands as possible. Now if you turn the turntable 90° to regular turntable orientation, controls are more at hand, but then the pitch is in an unfamiliar place for turntablists. But it can be agued that it’s actually better.

Right now, the lack of screen bothers me. I’ve come to expect some visual indication of relevant track information on controllers, and the TWELVE lacks any, to the point where offing the tonearm no longer gives me any kind of idea how far into a track I am. I now have to look at either the tiny mixer screen or the laptop screen. I thought we were trying to eliminate the need to gaze and bring focus back to the gear? Seems like we just made it mandatory.

I have to keep in mind that it has been deliberately designed to appeal to turntable (largely Technics) specific seasoned battle DJs. And in this respect, it fits that brief perfectly. But I would still have made some concessions to the established features found on other decks, specifically having pads under the platter right next to the fingers. This would have been especially useful and more appealing for those DJs who don’t own a SEVENTY TWO or S9.

DJ EXPO 2017: Rane TWELVE — 12 inches of digital pleasure

MASS APPEAL

On the other hand, this slavish adherence to a 40+ year old paradigm is potentially a genius move. Battle DJs are used to turntables, so simply removing the tonearm and replacing it with a touch strip makes it instantly accessible to all the battle DJs that are used to the workflow of turntables, and frankly any other turntable rocking DJ too. No adaptation necessary — everything is already where it should be. This should allow these DJs to adapt with minimal fuss, and if the comments on reading online are anything to go by, this would appear to be a canny move, and one that accelerated acceptance. It does replicate the sole function of a record player, but in the digital world, with a few added extras too. So in this respect, it has win written all over it.

I am however taken with the styling. Rane’s ID is very metal boxish, and it would have been easy to make the TWELVE m0re turntable like. But instead, they’ve made the chassis just like their mixers. And with the SEVENTY TWO, it’s a few bolts away from being a beast of an all-in-one controller. Looking at the group shot, I cannot remember a setup that went so well together.

SUMMING UP

The Rane TWELVE a bit of a conundrum for me, perhaps because I expected something more, but instead got a thing much nearer to the actual needs of battle DJs. I’m going to need to play on them myself before really understanding the thinking, and seeing if I get it or not. I obviously defer to rather more experienced battle DJs who will be able to offer a more knowledgable opinion as to whether this works for them or not.

To be clear, while I’m displaying obvious doubts, I have always loved digital turntables. The now 13 year old Numark CDX was probably just ahead of its time, and perhaps not quite up there for the hardcore vinyl guys, who are now happily using DVS without complaint. The proof of this pudding will definitely be in the eating, or in the scratching as it were.

At $799, this is more expensive that the turntable it aims to compete with. It is however suitable for anyone who uses Serato DJ, as it plugs into your laptop as well as the TWELVE specific ports on the SEVENTY TWO. I’m pretty sure that users will naturally be looking forward to a TEN, NINE, or SEVEN too, the latter in particular would be likely to do very well indeed for small controller owners.

Rane inmusic Twelve 12" motorised digital turntable deck controller Serato DJ (7)

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Having followed the leaked pictures on social media, there seems to be a majority in favour of the TWELVE. Some called it the beginning of the end of Rane, while others (a decreasing minority however) spewed the usual purist bollocks. But what do you think? Did your GAS kick in and demand a box full of multitouch screens and a carpet bombing of buttons? Or are you much happier that the strictly adhered to turntable blueprint makes this the digital deck your heart has been aching for?

GALLERY

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Mark Settle
Mark Settle

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

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194 Comments

  1. I’d guess the lack of screen and other niceties was all about hitting that price point, it is expensive but it’s also within spitting distance of a PLX-1000 with a decent cartridge which is what they’re really up against. I also think it is smart to lean in on the core audience of Serato turntablists to start with, InMusic is already trying to go head to head against CDJs with their Denon gear and this is a category they could potentially own since there’s not as much Pioneer loyalty in that community.

    One product I definitely see missing in their line-up is a breakout box with all the USB and audio ports for integrating the decks with existing mixers. Right now you’re looking at a lot of complex routing and maybe a USB hub to fit it into a setup that doesn’t use the Seventy Two.

    • Lots of valid points made all.over this tread and the article. but I was expecting to see a usb box of sorts for non 72 users. Maybe they will sneak it out later once the mixer sales commence

  2. I´m looking forward to test it very much. Also liked the CDX when I used it for some showcases as well but never got myself one as it was just too expensive for my financial situation back then.
    I mentioned it already, from a turntablists view I think the cue buttons would have been better placed either at the bottom for easier reach or even on the side (like the Q-Bar that has been announced from DJ Tech but which seems to have been forgotten again).
    It seems that the platter is not MIDI capable or at least it hasn´t been mentioned anywhere yet, which would still leave a blank spot in the world of gear for turntablists. Guess only few will have the joy of rocking a Fretless Fader properly until that changes…

  4. Won’t you be able to see track position on the touch strip if you are in needle drop mode? I would hope so. I love this product, hoped it would be a bit cheaper though.

  5. I’m mostly agreed with you Mark. A bit surprised to see this happen too and missing the media cappabilities… that I expect from Pioneer in standalone mode (the Rane mixer needs a computer, right?) the next week or 6 months in the future.
    I even nailed the price xD

  6. I’m very frustrated with the design of the TWELVE. It is designed specifically for the 72 and it could have been so much better and sell a lot more. THE ONLY REASON DJS PUT TURNTABLES IN BATTLE MODE IS TO AVOID THE TONEARM AND NEEDLE. I want these things to sell but they are directly pointed at the turntablest. The reason you see them at all the shows is because they are very rare.

    Negatives
    • Horizontal Slider
    • Slider out of reach
    • No Pitch Bend buttons
    • No 8 Multi-Funtion Serato Pads like the S5000
    • The Electric Cord and USB are not recessed
    • You can only use these in battle mode
    • No track selection or load
    • No Start/Stop on the left hand side
    • No Instant Double button
    • No pop-up LED
    • Where was this 10 years ago. Now most new DJs use a CDJ with SYNC and cannot scratch

    Positives
    • RANE built tough (I hope) Solid Steel Construction
    • 12″ Direct Drive Platter with Strobe Dots
    • Power Down effect without turning it off and killing the signal
    • Simple Layout (Opposite of what I just complained about)
    • Optional Torque Settings
    • Pitch Select Buttons with easy read out
    • Same height and deep dimensions as the 72
    • 4 Decks of control

    The only thing that is left to be seen is the Sticker Drift and Latency. Can an old computer handle the 3600 Tics of Platter resolution in MIDI? Can Serato finally deliver a stable Serato DJ like Scratch Live? How much does it weigh so we can take it mobile? 4 Decks… does that mean a 4 channel 78 mixer is on its way?

    Of course I’m buying 2 because I’m a wannabe turntablest and I’m getting the 72.

      • Except they’ve been doing this so long they have muscle memory for that layout. I still use turntables with DVS as my “controllers” because I’ve been doing this since 1986 and I don’t want to throw 30 years of muscle memory away. And I never switched to battle layout for the same reason, too much muscle memory for club layout (played out once on decks in battle layout and it was awful).

        That doesn’t let Rane totally off the hook, at this price point the controller should absolutely be usable in either club or battle layout and it should be the user’s call.

        On the one hand I look at these and I’m excited, other the other I look at them and think “what are they going to give me that my 1200’s + NI X2 MK2 don’t”.

    • 3600 is the same as the NS7 (I, II, III)
      Stanton SCS.1d had 4000 ticks, and Nem0nic wrote in the Stanton forum (when he worked there) he could get 0.5 ms latency in about 5 years ago, so it is not about the PC.
      I don’t get it why I can’t get my NS7II lower than 3.6 ms or so after all these years passed. (on a PC)
      We should have 0.1 ms nowdays

  8. If they had put things in different spot they would have been crucified by battle DJs, like putting the break and clutch pedals in different spots in a car. I guess Rane just couldn’t win on this one…

    I’m excited about it because anything that removes extra pieces along the way (control vinyl to Sampler to computer to position info) is a good thing. And I wouldn’t even use those to scratch with. Just play music.

    • Maybe they could have made everyone happy by putting the connectivity on the right corner… and putting circular inscriptions on the deck control buttons, allowing the user to position it as he wants. Probably for the mk2 :)

      • True. And maybe a second start/stop button like some turntables have.

        Still think it was probably a lose lose proposition for Rane no matter which way they went.

        Stil, it’s super exciting to see them push things forward in brave new directions. I can’t wait to play with one this week at DJExpo.

        • Have to agree with you, and this is why I’m torn. I totally get the notion of keeping it very turntable-like. But at the same time would like to have seen some push forward outside of putting button in the space vacated by the tonearm. They are damned if they do and damned if they don’t.

  9. Rane, bring us a USB-powerd MIDI-Class Compliant “Rane 7” for $599 and take my money! For now I’m sticking with my Denon SC2000s that I hopefully can connect to what eventually appears to be a classic USB hub in the Race 72. For full footprint setup, I’m also sticking with my Technics 1200mk5s that just do the job as usual with same amount of cabling and about the same non-portability as the Rane 12.

  11. I would buy this, but why there isn’t any audio outputs on that? If I’m not using it with a 72 than I have to get a serato dvs box (around +500 or 600 usd) to use this? Then I have to use 3 USB ports? OMG wtf is this?

    • It’s a MIDI controller that has plater / motor components as expensive as on a classic turntable as the Technics 1200. And it’s basically the only Serato compatible turntable/jog style MIDI controller on the market right now.

      • 12″… since v7/ ns7 family are also motorized and compatible (but maybe don’t working due to driver update lacks or bugs… it’s that what you try to point maybe?)

        • Yes kind of ! I wouldn’t buy old Numark stuff that require proprietary and unupdated drivers, neither I would buy the Rane version if it needs proprietary drivers. Whatever they do, MIDI Class Compliant please !

  12. This makes sense from a “we can do it” standpoint. InMusic has the NS7/V7 platform, as well as the Denon 3700/3900 DNA to pick and choose from. They’ve worked out control protocols and messaging. They have the right contract manufacturers. It makes a lot of sense. BUT… (there’s always a but). I don’t understand the choice of layout. The knew they were designing for Serato, so that’s a fraction of the market as a whole. Let’s give them 50%. Then they’ve designed a product that is only really going to be attractive to scratch-style DJs because of the choice of control positioning. Then they’re only really going to sell to people who see this product as a BETTER option than the turntables these DJs are already using. So the value proposition over turntables is a touchstrip? I don’t know. A couple small design changes could have opened this product up to a MUCH larger pool of potential customers, and I can’t work out why that wasn’t done.

    Plus, the pricing of it is still bugging me. I was a fan of the V7, but no one bought it because 2 of them cost as much as an NS7. While this isn’t an apples to apples comparison like the V7/NS7 was, I still think the NS7III is a better value for the same money as 2 of these controllers. Maybe InMusic is betting customers will be thrown off by the Rane nameplate, but I can’t help but think this is a little bit of history repeating.

    All that said, I’m a big fan of more platter controllers, so I wish them luck and success.

        • Rane’s positioning itself as the Turntablists go too brand. This product eliminates a turntablists 3 biggest gripes about their tables. Having to replace worn out timecode, needle skips, and (probably my biggest fear) having a needle crap out mid juggle / scratch.

          Not trying to start an argument here, though. If I remember correctly, you basically helped invent this category of devices with the SCS1, i’m sure you see something that I don’t. As a guy who juggles cue points with platters, not with buttons, this fulfills all of MY needs.

          • I didn’t invent anything, but I did work on one of the earliest products in the market. Thanks for the kudos, though. I do totally see your point, and I agree that this products meets some user’s needs. My only point is that with a couple small changes they could have still met your needs AND opened the product up to a totally different category of DJ.

  14. My only huge pet peeve (aside fromt he pricepointe) is the power and usb plug location. Now that there are no tone-arms, you could turn them to club style (pitch fader on the right) and not have to worry about hitting a tonearm during routines, but not havin ghte power connector and usb port recessed means doing so adds a gap (which would drive my OCD ass insane).

  15. I would have loved to see a tone arm on the twelve for regular vinyl use or even ripping tracks from vinyl. When in fully controller mode, no tone arm needed then. Also, a the author mentioned, some track indicator such as screen of some sort located right in the controller would’ve been fantastic. As for additional buttons, these are not needed and or wanted by Rane since it will force you to buy the mixer to have access to all these buttons lol. For pure turntablist, I think this controller meets the needs but lacks any room for expansion of creativity.

    Don’t get me started on the price, lol. I’d much rather buy a Technics 1200 for $800 than this.

    • Well balanced thoughts and probably the market reception. Maybe Rane is focusing in this segment of the market and inMusic brings what you described throught Denon/Numark. Time will tell us.

    • I thought the same in regards to having an option to use a tonearm but I think it wouldn’t be well perceived to see a dj scratching without the tonearm resting in its cradle.
      There’d need to be a way of hiding the tonearm when not in use.

      • It’s not just as easy as sticking a tonearm on the TWELVE though. It’s just a metal box and will be a potential nightmare for feedback. It’s hard enough to make a tonearm work well in a turntable, let alone sticking on top and making it sound good. I’m not saying it can’t be done, just that it’s going to be tough.

        We’ve already ben here before with hybrid decks too. The Gemini CDT-05 was magnificent, and could play CD and vinyl, and had a removable turntable too. But nobody wanted it, and I’m quite convinced that not enough people will want it now to make it commercially viable.

        • Totally understand that about adding a tonearm would require a rebuild from ground up.

          Don’t get me wrong. I’d love to try it, but for a unit that can only work attached to a laptop/software the price point seems a little high (it’s a metal box with midi stuff(?) and a motor inside. Comparing the Denon SC3900 was around a grand with A LOT more features, $800 for this seems excessive).

          I’ve been one of those people who’ve been wanting something like this. But I was surprised at how ‘meh’ I was when I saw this. I think some of the issues for my lack-luster reaction were, like you mentioned, the button/slider placement.
          The CDX and CDT-05 (which I wasn’t aware existed!) were truly ahead of their time. I guess the updated version of those would be the SC3900. They sold reasonably well and had some advocates.
          I think, for me, the RP8000 is the best middle ground… which is ridiculous because I play actual audio vinyl about 1-2% of the time. So is a tonearm necessary for me?
          … Actually, these may be really good. Just a little expensive for not being able to play any music source (usb/cd/vinyl) from.

          Stream of thought over :D

  16. Am I missing something or aren’t the pads MIDI and can be setup for things like instant doubles or whatever you like in SDJ that’s MIDI mappable?
    I like the simplicity as I’m from the school of give me most of my features on my mixer. I don’t need screens or extra buttons, knobs or whatnot, just be solid at what I need a t/t to do and you got a new customer. I like it and will def save up for the entire setup.

  17. Numark V7 and NS7 III blows this thing away in features alone. Had they just upgraded the V7 to a V8 but with a bigger platter and less excess metal chassis, you would have a better product. Add the ability to use with IOS for a screen and NI HID and you would have a great controller. The V7 was and is still way ahead of what’s out right now. The pricing and lack of Traktor support are what hurt the V7. This Rane 12 looks like it could’ve hit so many marks but instead it’s a dumbed down V7.

    • That’s because NI figured that the better vinyl controller is… a turntable. Instead trying to reinvent “the wheel” (of steel) they gone expand the concept of live remixing (where Serato brings Flip and dj808/505/303).
      IMHO this is late to the party and it will be difficult tomake a game changer nowadays but let’s see how this impact in the market and scene. Also let’s see what more brings the BPM fair…

    • Yep, still got my pair of V7s…. I would love this thing, but the price is a bit steep with no internal audio card. I’m still very, very tempted though…. I hate that new Rant mixer though. Worst looking mixer I’ve ever laid eyes on… Radius 2, Rane 12 and sl4 might be the route I go, just wish these things had an internal audio interface… Or there was a decently priced 2 channel digital Serato mixer the had a decent DAC or digital out I could use.

  18. Umm is it just me or does anyone else think that they should have or still should make this same form factor as a stand alone CDJ style unit that reads directly from USB maybe using a Rane branded version of Engine Prime? Thoughts from anyone out there?

  20. Just so I’m clear, there is no audio interface in this? So, it is an official accessory only and you’ll need either a Serato DJ controller or a SeratoDJ mixer such as the 72 to run it?

  21. This device (and these comments) prove that Dj’s really don’t know what they want.

    For YEARS i’ve seen comments on this site asking for a “no frills rotating platter device without the tone-arm”, and boom, here one is. It’s even a full 12 inch platter, for the people who think the v7’s platters are too smal (like me)l. It offers more control than any similar turntable (besides the reloop joint), and YOU WILL NEVER HAVE TO BUY NEEDLES / CONTROL VINYL AGAIN… EVER.

    Sure, it’s expensive. The whole rane setup costs around 3600 bucks. And that is alot of money.

    But the alternative from pioneer is 2 PLX-1000’s (699 each), Carts / Needles (at least 150 for two m-447’s), and an s9 ($1700 ).
    No word on the weight, but i’m sure this is a lighter, more portable setup, for nearly the same money, with the added benefit of never having your record skip, never having to replace needles or time code, and (if anything like the ns7), a perfectly stable pitch.

    My only beef is, well, I use traktor. And since Native Instruments has had it’s head up its arse for YEARS, I know these will be useless to me. Holding out hope for Denon to update the 3900’s, but that’s not gonna happen.

    TL/DR It’s not that bad guys, it’s actually exactly what you asked for.

      • I’m wondering if it would cause chirping when used for scratching… wouldn’t MIDI cause the stream to be cut into X amount of frames per second, as opposed to the linear sine used as a pilot tone on control vinyl? I always thought that was the reason that scratch DJs have preferred DVS to controllers and CDJs.

        • It will depend on how accurate is the software emulation (inertia and so). To be perfect it should have a pressure sensor under the plate to manage hand weight (which goes directly into the needle) IMO but since most turntablist simplified the xfader into “cuts” with sharpened curves and click techniques avoiding the full analog range into the Artform… these become more or less “digital domain” (from infinite levels to 0-1 coding). Maybe platter interaction is the last frontier but I made some test back in the day with V7 and it was very near to real thing (almost for 99% people) meanwhile the other 1% never will drop analog scratching. Numbers should changed over time and technology should do too (from ITCH to SDJ ie)
          So answering directly to your question it could be right emulated and most users will not notice a difference. Those who will notice it could wait until next iteration and/or keep themselves with analog+hybrid techonology…

  26. This just proves how ahead of its time the CDX / HDX were way back then – of course no Vinyl DJ worth his salt wanted to use one at the time, and the rest wanted Pioneers. Personally I saw them as potential game changers. Shame the midi i/o didnt actually sent any useful signal or they might have actually outdone the Rane Twelve.

    I really would have expected basic USB standalone functionality or at least a screen for track selection/cue waveform at the (Rather steep) price point. I’m sure they are built like tanks, but its a damn expensive midi controller with not a huge amount of function.

    • The CDX’s were great when they worked , but as soon as I started using them for gigs they became unreliable and stopped reading CD’s etc…
      I switched from Vinyl to CDX’s when they first launched (lasted about 5 months before my set and 4 others that were owned by the folk I was DJin with all broke, I only know of 2 decks that are still working and these never left the guys house) after that I switched to 1200’s and SL1 and never looked back.
      The main issue with the RANE TWELVE is that I would need to carry 2 decks and mixer to every gig, at the moment all the venues I DJ have technics so just need to take my mixer and laptop.

  28. While there’s a part of me that wants to comment on the total buy in price (it’s more than likely going to be $4,800-5000 CAD including GST for all three), that part of me was rather quickly pushed off into a soundproof room and locked away because of a few really big reasons…

    Relatively minor, yet important things to me…
    – Compared to my current 2x STR8-150 and NI Z2, the Rane setup actually has the various “lines” match up. I can also set things up battle style and have them be flush.
    – I’ve always had this massive lust for Rane gear. It’s solid, it works, and it’s great.
    – The thought of having to pay for additional timecode records (and worse, additional stylii) over time because of wear and tear has always stopped me from going past basic two deck mixing, even though I’ve always been curious about turntablism
    – I switched to digital almost ten years ago because of various reasons, but predominately because that’s the direction most labels I follow went (that and it’s cheaper)
    – Picking up this gear doesn’t mean I can’t use the turntables I already have. In fact, I’d just have to add a shelf to my current setup and the Seventy-Two would allow me to switch back and forth between digital decks and my turntables if I so desired.
    – Not having to worry about things like tonearms and the dreaded “scrrrrrfftttt!!!” of a tonearm being dropped and skidded across a record means I might actually let hubby use my gear – something he’s wanted to do for quite some time now.

    Probably the much more important things…
    – I’m kind of tired of the waffling Native Instruments has done over the past several years regarding various things. Meanwhile, Serato did a double take of where they were and has come out swinging exceptionally hard and have been doing some rather intricate things on both the hardware and software level. They’re also willing to work with other companies to have gear be compatible with their ecosystem.
    – When I see Serato ecosystem gear set up at the local music store and I start looking at the buttons and where everything is, I want to actually experiment with new things.
    – 12″ format for the controllers means that it’s technically an easy transition
    – No extra fluff in the controllers and mixer means I can do EXACTLY what I want to do (mix two tracks, and have fun with it)
    – No eye bleedingly bright blue LEDs!!!!
    – 2x Neutrik combi-jack inputs mean you can add in a microphone, or if you’re insane a modular synth or something like that.
    – No more having to clean records! I know to some it’s part of a sacred tradition, but I soooo hate cleaning them because you always miss that one spot and have to do it all over again, or worse you don’t notice it until it gums up your stylus.
    – Session out. I don’t quite know what I’d use it for, but at the same time, it seems to offer promises for say, I dunno, a EuroRack effects box or something. In short, it seems to offer a nice promise of various things…. And a promise that something will actually come of it.

    In short, I actually really like what they’ve done with it. it’s just that possible $4,800-$5,000 CAD bill if one goes all in.

    • There’s one huge thing I totally forgot to mention with this kind of setup, and it’s something that I suspect hubby would let me wind up spending the $4,721 CAD (yup, I stopped by my local store, and pricing is already in there, $999 CAD for the Twelve, and something like $2,599 CAD for the SeventyTwo, plus applicable taxes of course).

      Switching to this means no more piercing banshee shriek from my Native Instruments v2 Control Records out of my carts.

  29. Mark, I completely get your point of view and agree with you about the layout and lack of screen.
    However, I think Rane did the right thing as far as a version 1 goes. This design will be accepted faster like you said. Establish a new setup for the dvs turntables out there. Later versions will have all the controllerist bells and whistles I’m betting!

  30. V12 baby. V12. Think the price is too steep. It’s just a bloody 12″ version of the V7 and even then missing a sound card. I’d love one, but I’m not willing to drop $1k aud on this.

  31. I like it
    8″ platter is better
    Looks cool
    Buttttt…..still gotta look away at a screen. Still gotta start up a latop

    I’ll stick to my 5500s for now.

  32. It is dedicated to battles,so I think that the Twelve should be asymmetrical, since all battle Djs will use the start / stop buttons around the mixer’s crossfader, so they will change the position of the right side player, spoiling the drawing of the set!

  33. As far as the article is concerned I totally understand the pros and cons and realize they are mainly based upon personal preference. Everyone else talking about screens and buttons and yadda, yadda, how about just PRACTICE YO’ CUTS and none of that will matter. All the bells and whistles won’t make you a better DJ. To boot, you know later they will put out something with all the sync buttons you can DJ like Pauly D at your cousins third wedding in ten years.

    • Well not totally agree but I see your point. This product is aimed to turntablist so “less is more” approach is ok but standalone could have been better since it will suppose less latency involved in the system. For that it will be necessary an screen and usb or hd… making the same point but with different “minimum requirements” which include the arm for analog scratching or vinyl mixing side to side, etc.
      So these aren’t bells and whistles. Even the missing pads (placed st mixer) are a tool for those who see the turntable as drumming tool of enhanced juggling and don’t want two units or almost carry them on stage.
      I was trying to make djs understand the potential of this kind of tool from 10 years ago and manage to give life to cdx arduino mod as a proof of concept and it doesn’t go further due different issues being one of them the necessity of thight software integration to make sense. This Rane twelve could be successful in that but since ten years gone… some of us figure that to “less is more” an standalone with screen and cue drumpads fits better the description because less than that is a regular turntable with superseal and mpc.
      Brands need to study the market to find the sweet moment for a product to make it profitable (revenue streams vs development and marketing costs) and when they fail gone the Stanton/Vestax/Panasonic route. Let’s hope Rane inside inMusic brand has better luck…

  34. I’m for progression and this is the direction I was hoping NI would go in with S8 so Im all in. Screw the control vinyl, the needles and the unneeded cables. It does feel version 1 but I’ll rock these in my up coming sets. Im in Rane!

  35. I’ve never been a fan of “strip search” on InMusic products. It’s inaccurate compared to actual needle dropping and seems kind of pointless when you have cue points. It’s also a real shame they didn’t include key lock and sync buttons…

    Aside from those things this is the deck I’ve wanted for a very long time! A no-frills digital replacement for the traditional turntable. The price will probably be a bit higher than I was hoping for due to the exchange rate, but providing performance is good, I’ll likely be getting a pair!

  36. Just an observation, I think Rane and InMusic missed a very important opertunity. Placing the connectors on the side (not underneath or recessed) limits the positioning of the table.

    • I think they could, because there is a clear boundary between Rane and Denon DJ — Rane is for turntablists, where Denon DJ is for the club, hence the TWELVE being essentially a turntable without a tonearm.

      It would most likely be an SC9000 — just like the SC5000 but with a motorised platter. Perhaps it’s that rather than the TWELVE that I’m looking for.

      • I’m not sure the 9″ vs 12″ platter is a big enough boundary considering that the theoretical SC9000 would also have standalone playback, real pads for hotcues&co and all the other bells&whistles.
        And full metal casing is not something that’s really important for anything other that feel since everyone puts their gear in transport cases.

  39. Where it it says ‘Rane TWELVE’ there would be room to place a dicer although you would have to stick it there with putty or sticky velcro dots. It looks like the faceplace is easily removable via a handful of screws so replacing it with a different plate with a hole to put a dicer is a possibility if the electronics below allow. Add Dicers on the decks and Numark Dashboard in front of it and you’ve more buttons and screens then you will lneed for more money than you would want to splash and a cable-salad that will make your eyes water. Rane has taken a u-turn away from the trend of smaller, ligher all-in-one approach with loads of buttons in favor of heavy, clunky and expensive pieces of modular kit from yesteryear. The latter is my nostalgia so I quite like it ;-)

  40. OK, so I’ve digested this a bit since announcement and here’s my biggest concerns about what’s known so far.

    As far as I’m aware, the only reason analog turntables are ever rotated 90º by scratch/battle/turntablist type DJs to begin with is to get the tonearm out of the way while performing. So I’m left wondering why Rane decided to permanently orientate the TWELVE 90º battle style since it doesn’t even have a tonearm to ever get in the way. Maybe some DJs here who do scratch can chime in on this. So when the TWELVE is used by non-scratch DJs in traditional orientation (mixing), all the labeling will be 90º outta whack. Annoying as hell for sure, but still workable when oriented traditional style.

    Secondly, since Rane chose for whatever unknown reason to locate all of the connections along the short side of chassis instead of the long side, and DIDN’T bother to recess these connections, this means the left deck can’t be positioned flush against a mixer when in traditional style. These non-recessed connections also mean the TWELVE can’t be loaded and kept into standard Technics SL-12XX flight cases since the power and USB cables both protrude outward from chassis.

  41. OK, so I’ve digested this a bit since announcement and here’s my biggest concerns about what’s known so far.

    As far as I’m aware, the only reason analog turntables are ever rotated 90º by scratch/battle/turntablist type DJs to begin with is to get the tonearm out of the way while performing. So I’m left wondering why Rane decided to permanently orientate the TWELVE 90º battle style since it doesn’t even have a tonearm to ever get in the way. Maybe some DJs here who do scratch can chime in on this. So when the TWELVE is used by non-scratch DJs in traditional orientation (mixing), all the labeling will be 90º outta whack. Annoying as hell for sure, but still workable when oriented traditional style.

    Secondly, since Rane chose for whatever unknown reason to locate all of the connections along the short side of chassis instead of the long side, and DIDN’T bother to recess these connections, this means the left deck can’t be positioned flush against a mixer when in traditional style. These non-recessed connections also mean the TWELVE can’t be loaded and kept into standard Technics SL-12XX flight cases since the power and USB cables both protrude outward from chassis.

    PS: Here’s one of the concepts for this that was submitted to Rane ~10 years ago. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/51f6a2ead7b0491f39ed87f2a0e5b8cc33f3244fcc0faed3c1c02d3545ab7f25.png

    • dj’ing on windy days and wobbly tables (while trying to scratch), as well as weight and size, has had me switch from taking my 1200’s to my cdj800’s to outdoor events.
      So I see the appeal of the Twelves…. but if something goes wrong, I’ve got the ability to switch to cd’s with the cdj’s. Which has saved me occasionally. So it sounds ridiculous but I’d like a cd slot or some contingency plan on the Twelves.

  44. Without the tonearm and with deck switching buttons, this seems like a more practical and durable option for transport than 2 turntables. I’m curious how much it weighs.

  45. After the initial reaction of slight disappointment, I now think this might be the right way to go for Rane.

    If it had “stand alone” media player functionality, the price would be way above turntable prices (no chance of competing). If it was 9″ or 7″ and had full midi controls + screen, it would be viewed as a midi controller gadget and not an actual turntable replacement (no chance for success with turntable purists).

    So basically this is the only way to engage in direct competition with the turntable. I wonder whether the price point is the best, though.

    • I also think having 12″ platter and cue/roll/slicer/sampler buttons at the bottom could have made this seem a tiny bit too toyish for the turntable purists. This works for Reloop RP8000 but it is an actual turntable after all. Maybe there just is a very fine line with these things as most of turntable crowd seem very conservative.

      This is why I now understand why Rane went with the plain look and no bells and whistles. In my opinion it looks like a turntable and it looks professional. Look wise I can’t see why it couldn’t replace a regular turntable and be a respectable piece of gear in the turntablist environment.

  47. I love it, I love it. Inmusic is offering all kinds of products, among all the brands that’s under there belt. You may love it or hate it, but inmusic is putting excitement back into the dj culture. It’s always great to have new gear to talk about. I just spent $7,900 this summer on the 2x SC5000, X1800 and the MPC X. I invested enough money into inmusic for while, but these decks looks like they’ll be nice to own. Maybe in the future.

  48. Yay another reason to be a depressed envious Traktor user…… is my initial thought…. as per usual

    For a while now Ive felt a basic controller turntable is the stepping stone required for an all out non laptop required turntable media player to ever become a success. It seems the majority of the DVS market/digital tablist market now uses mixers like S9,Z2,62 etc… rather than separate interfaces, so yeah that market is far more geared towards the potential need of a controller turntable. I’m sure rane put a lot of thought as to why the denon 3900 canned, as great a player that was I personally felt that beyond the the turntable features everything else on that deck jus isn’t on the feature radar for the market it was aimed at but ultimately said features added to the price. Keeping the 12 as simple as pos keeps the price down and probably makes the whole controller table thing a whole lot let offensive to those who fear change.

    But yeah, if you don’t pair this up with an S9 or 72 the cue button position appears to be in the worst place pos.

    Its interesting how over the past decade the scene has developed two separate workflows of loading/controlling track features from the player = CDJ vs doing it from a mixer = Serato/Traktor etc…

  49. “IF” this thing doesn’t inherit the latency that control vinyl is plagued with and it feels and reacts like real vinyl does… my only complaints are:
    1) Why make it weigh like a 1200 when isolation is no longer necessary… the platter should have been heavy enough to keep it from flying away like paper dinner plate for an outside venue.
    2) no reverse play
    4) the decal for the pitch fader should match the standard 8% marking that many are so accustomed too
    3) no USB daisy chain connections for non-72 users.

  50. One thing comes to mind…Since there isn’t ADC in the process, it should mean the latency is cut to half. Would this make android “dvs” possible now? Gabor Szanto – speak up! :)

  51. This product looks cool on the surface but it is far from innovative. Given inMusic’s reputation for putting out volumes of gear that become obsolete very fast, i.e. cash grabs, I give this about a few months of hype after release, and plenty of bugs. They will all end up being cleared at half price or less.

    • To suggest InMusic invested in the Rane jus to bin the brands ethos/legacy in the first product launch makes zero sense.

      I understand people’s doubts when you consider what InMusic did when they first took over Akai but in this instance I’m gonna hold out on negative forecasts. Existing Rane engineers pre take over designed this and there using hi quality components so I think there’s good reason to be hopeful.

        • An all out device like that is what Id prefer to see to but considering how all previous turntable controllers or media players have been discontinued/unsuccessful I think Rane’s stripped back approach with this deck will hopefully be the gateway drug to gain acceptance from the market its intended for.

          If Twelve is a success then Im sure InMusic will go further, but as suggested in the comments below you’d expect it to be a moving platter version of the new denon SC5000.

          • Why couldn’t Rane have borrowed the same dual playing tech found in the SC5000 media player and made the 72 a standalone mixer that benefited best with twelve, but could also be used with standard turntables using control vinyl. It’s still Engine Prime, just with Rane hardware.

    • Agreed, flexible orientation would of been nice considering the hotcue placement.

      Recessed power/USB would of been nice but it’s current placement does at least help for fast setup.

    • Correct, not flush anyway. I’m not a battle DJ, but i do like the feel of 1200’s/vinyl. You could probably set them horizontally but there would be space in between the decks and the mixer. In addition to that, i wonder what sort of flight case are these gonna in?

  53. Just saw a video where the Rane rep was talking about how the decks use midi for platter movement, which he claimed it would be super accurate and hyping up the real vinyl feel. I having my doubts about that since everything so far, be it cdj in HID mode or any controller that doesn’t require timecode has latency problems even at 1ms settings in SDJ. This would have been the perfect time for both Rane and Serato to introduce a standalone player with SDJ software built-in. That would have definitely been interesting.

  55. Two twelves and seventy two looks like a very expensive controller (Numark NS III for double the price) and with 3 power supplies and unnecesary usb cables, that just my thoughts.

  57. At some point we’ll have to stop reminiscing about how good Numark’s hardware was. Don’t get me wrong, though, I do it all the time. I really, REALLY would like to get my hands on a TTX and can’t understand for the life of me why it hasn’t been re-released or copied. As the author said, Numark was ahead of its time in that segment and those who copped back in the day are lucky people.

  58. As I recall, the way you controlled the CDX was that the *spindle* actually did the tracking, and the vinyl record (which you could swap out for any you wanted) was “locked” to the spindle.

    I notice some kind of extra circular thing on the spindle of this Rane-12. Does this work the same way, in that the vinyl is mechanically synced-up with the spindle? I ask because I notice that Rane mentions you can change the slipmat, but they omit any mention you can change-out the vinyl, which implies to me that it might be using some other kind of (optical? hall effect?) tracking technology and that the vinyl is special.

    Does anybody personally know for sure?
    rs

    • No info exists, but I’d go with no. Serato’s coding of motorised platters has always been an issue for 3rd party software. So while everything else can probably be mapped, the vinyl emulation is likely to be lacking, which does rather ruin the whole point of the TWELVE. Time will tell though.

  60. Anyone know how much the TWELVE weighs? Curious if it will be lighter than 1200? Dimensions seem to be slightly smaller than 1200’s so modified or specialized cases… Thanks!

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