Rane Sixty-Eight Mixer: 21st Century DJ Mixing arrives
By Paul Dakeyne
| Posted in Music Technology
The Rane Sixty-Eight mixer has arrived at NAMM 2010 and heralded a new age as the DJ mixer finally jumps head first into the 21st century computer-world. The main highlights of this exciting new hardware are twofold. The first is that it brings two independent USB connections, enabling two DJ’s using separate computers to work in parallel, or one after the other. The mixer can be configured to address two, three or four virtual decks, again, assisting greatly in the DJ hand-over.
There is extensive top panel controller support intended primarily for Serato Live/Itch but no doubt adaptable and re-assignable to other DJ software solutions. This will bring another added dimension to any Serato (or other) digital DJ who has yet to make an investment in a dedicated control surface.
The rear panel’s physical inputs incorporate four stereo (switchable) Phono/CD inputs of Line, Phono or S/PDIF for just about any physical combination of analogue or digital source hardware. On top of this, and making the Rane Sixty Eight surely one of the most future proof DJ mixers ever, are:
- Four stereo phono auxilliary inputs
- Two microphone inputs (one phantom powered)
- Booth, main and session outputs via XLR, 1/4″ jack and phono respectively
- Unique ‘FlexFX’ loop stereo send and return
The second highlight of this mixer, and for all DJ/performers, is the inclusion of its effects buses. This enables the user to create a sub-mix of up to six audio channels, add legacy analogue effects, utilise six internal effects with seamless on-beat switching and even include computer-based effects via USB. This takes the Rane Sixty-Eight far beyond being just a DJ mixer and makes it possibly a work partner for any stage performing computer musician with multiple laptop set-ups.
The mixer also comes with the recently announced Serato Scratch Live 2.0. This of course is ready for the (again) brand new ‘Bridge’ application which will allow Serato to work seamlessly with Ableton Live. Manufacturer listed features for this new software include:
• Control of Scratch Live from the hardware control strips. A plug-and-play preset is included which performs standard functions (library navigation, cues, loops). Customizable presets for advanced users who will be able to switch groups, so the control strips become open-assignable like a MIDI controller, allowing custom functions and mapping.
• Record separate PGM inputs, FlexFX USB Send, Aux Inputs or Main Mix: all possible record sources.
• SP-6 Sample player output assign to mixer channels. Additional output options are added to the SP-6 Sample Player, allowing a user to choose channels one to four or the FlexFX Return as the output. This allows three decks coming out of channels one to three and having the SP-6 coming out of channel four.
• Control and insertion of Software FX using the FlexFX USB Insert.
• Record users mix to disk with pre-fader audio and fader automation recorded. This option allows a user to record not only audio, but fader automation. This can then be imported into a DAW for editing.
I’d personally assume that the Rane Sixty-Eight DJ mixer is destined mainly for club installation and live event usage/hire but if the TBA retail price is realistic then there’s certainly a case for this unit to sit comfortably in many a project studio or even bedroom set-up. Such is the multiplicity of choice and availability of DJ software, deck, hardware and control options available today that such application may be restricted however to a lucky minority.
Tags: 68, Ableton, Live, mixer, rane, serato scratch, Sixty-Eight