A long, long time ago in this very-same room, I reviewed Native Instruments’ Kontrol Z1 mixer/controller, which is designed to work alongside the Traktor DJ iOS app. Since then, we’ve had the AMX from Akai to fill a similar (albeit souped up) role for the Serato DJ desktop app. It’s taken until now for anyone to come up with a competitor, and Reloop give us the Mixtour, a small form two channel mixer-controller to use with your favourite software.
The Mixtour has a built in audio interface with USB and iOS connectors, as well as some basic transport controls. While designed specifically to work with Algoriddim djay on mobile devices, it can also be used with full desktop DJ software like VDJ8 and Traktor Pro 2.
Click here for the, frankly ridiculous, seven page press release.
My thoughts
Even nearly three years on, I still use my Z1 if I’m popping over to a friend’s house for a quick mixing session or just need to save on space. The AMX became the defacto analogue for Serato, so I’ve been a bit surprised no one else has tried to produce something like this that can be used with a wider range of software. One of these Mixtours coupled with some small CDJs in HID mode would make a great simple all-digital setup, and adding something like the Zomo MC-1000 would mean a highly portable set of gear that would work with almost any modern DJ software. It remains to be seen what the build quality is like, but I’d be surprised if Reloop put out something with shoddy workmanship these days.
Your thoughts
Is this the portable controller you’ve been looking for? What controller would you pair it up with?
The Reloop Mixtour will have a special launch price of €149/£110 with an MSRP of £130/€179/$199, due ‘at the end of January’.
if it had DVS support i would buy it instantly!! still waitin for Z1 MK2 maybe with that feature…. AMX is great, but i dont use serato…
I think this is better laid out and nicer looking than the AMX. Swings and roundabouts though, because the AMX has inputs and better metering (no need to use a switch).
I noticed it has a power socket (the AMX doesn’t) so not sure if it can run purely from USB. The PR says the power is for iOS charging but doesn’t specifically state that it’s not required all the time.
Might grab myself one of these!
I would guess the power socket I’d for use with mobile devices, like the Z1.
I suspect the power supply is like it is with the Z1 and Traktor Audio 2 DJ. That is, it has a low power mode from just USB but won’t reach full output volume without the power adapter. This would be an advantage over the AMX and Xone K2.
If it was 4 channels I would be interested. Guess nobody was ready for algoriddim to release DJay pro for iOS…
Algoriddim should find them a hardware manufacture and work with them on designing a controller for DJay Pro that is compatible with both the iOS and OS X versions.
Typical. I bought a used Z1 a few weeks ago and use it it in combination with the X1. But actually this Reloop device is more than the Z1 because it adds the part of the X1 I’m using that is track selection, loading and playback control with looping. So this device actually replaces not only the Z1 but Z1+X1 for most basic mixing (I can mix properly without using effects beside EQs and the basic filter). And this for a price which is lower than just the X1 _OR_ the Z1 and way lower than both combined.
I feel tempted to get this device and use it with Traktor still because it would reduce my setup for playing at friends homes etc. from two controllers/external devices to one (and my laptop). Really tempting.
It’s pretty clear to me that Native Instruments intentionally designed their small controllers to have just barely not enough controls to use just one of them in an effort to get people to buy multiple controllers from them.