Since RANE’s inception in the early 1980s, they have promoted themselves as a company who provides professional products aimed at the marketplace in between low-end and high-end products, but with the build quality and long-lasting performance to outperform both those segments.

RANE’s DJ mixers and controllers stretch back to the iconic MP24, and the brand has gone on to build a solid reputation, especially amongst turntablists. Developed during the pandemic, the RANE ONE feels like the perfect tool for those who have mastered playing music on controllers but are thinking of taking the next step – scratching and battle mixing.

Over the last year there has been an explosion of new users of DJ equipment, while many experienced DJs have had time to get their equipment out and experiment with new transitions, tricks and effects. If you are considering progressing your DJ skillset, this controller should be at the top of your wish list.

The RANE ONE is billed as the ultimate professional motorised DJ controller and a complete DJ performance solution featuring 7” turntable platters, a MAG FOUR crossfader and many other new features.

On opening the box, we were presented with the beautiful and reassuringly heavy RANE ONE Serato Controller. As well as the controller, the box includes two platter assemblies, a power cable, a USB cable, a software download card (for a full version of Serato DJ Pro) and a user guide complete with safety information and warranty.

Assembling the platters took only a few minutes whilst we downloaded and installed the software. Once installed, we connected with the controller via the supplied USB cable and we were off. For the purpose of this review, we used the supplied Serato software. But the RANE ONE also supports Algoriddim’s djay Pro AI and Virtual DJ.

The RANE ONE is a beautifully made controller with a solid feel that oozes quality. The platters and buttons feel extremely robust and responsive to the software. Measuring 674mm x 345mm, the controller weighs a mighty 10kg and sits on four turntable-style feet.

The motorised platters are 7.2” with quick-release acrylic disks. Performance controls include an ultra-light MAG FOUR crossfader, two metal FX paddles, high/low-pass filter and 3-band EQ, dedicated loop controls, independent multi-mode performance pads, including Serato scratch bank, and turntable style stop/start buttons.
If you have ever used a RANE setup then the ONE will feel very familiar to you. The layouts are almost identical to its big brother products, apart from the performance pads, which are below the motorised platters as opposed to within the mixer section. The build quality is excellent and the unit is one of the heaviest DJ controllers on the market, but this just adds to its stable feel.

Everything from the metal FX paddles to the superb MAG FOUR crossfader adds to this, providing an amazing high-quality user experience. A standout feature is the four turntable-style feet, which raise the controller to allow for a laptop stand. Not many other controllers have this and it’s certainly a welcome addition.
The RANE ONE is primarily aimed at the turntablist market with its 7.2-inch motorised platters sitting each side of a battle mixer layout. There is something quite exciting about pressing play and watching the platters start to move – for us older DJs you get the same happy feeling as spinning a vinyl deck!

The ONE is the only current DJ controller to have moving platters, which also feature customisable high/low torque settings. Combined with the plunger-style start/stop buttons, you have an authentic tactile control over your playback.

The motorised platters are constructed from die cast aluminium, with direct drive motors and variable torque settings. As expected, they move perfectly in unison with the software and feel satisfyingly responsive.

Under each platter sits eight performance pads made from soft rubber, offering an extremely responsive feel. These pads control various Serato modes including Hot Cue, Saved Loop, Sampler, Roll and Slicer. There is also a new scratch bank feature.

Between the two platters sits an internal two-channel battle mixer. These two channels can control Serato DJ or two external turntables via the phono/line in inputs in Serato DVS mode. Input is controlled by metal toggle switches and switches from laptop A, B and external input.

Each channel has a three-band EQ and can control all effect banks in Serato. There are two effect paddles that toggle the chosen effect on and off. Anyone who has used the RANE 72 mixer will be familiar with these; once an effect is chosen you use the paddles to switch the effect on and off. Under the channel faders the mixer offers you a MAG FOUR crossfader that is so smooth and responsive. The crossfader can be adjusted easily without the need to remove it, simply remove the fader panel and adjust the tension screw.

In terms of connectivity, RANE provides plenty of options. You can switch each deck between two USB laptop connections and there is line input that can be switched to phono for traditional turntables. Amplification is through balanced main and booth XLR outputs and there is an additional RCA main out. There are two dual TRS/XLR microphone inputs alongside an auxiliary input resulting in the potential for five sources of audio mix. The two USB ports mean that back-to-back performances and changeover by DJs can be easily achieved without stopping the music. On the front of the unit are microphone controls and two headphone sockets (1/4” and 1/8th) and a split cue switch.

Anyone who has used the ONE’s big brother – the RANE 12 and 72 mixer setup – will find the switch to this all-in-one controller easy – you’ll feel right at home. The build quality is excellent, and we believe you’ll get many years out of your RANE.

When you compare the price of this unit to a battle mixer and two turntables, you can see why turntablists will choose this product every time. And for any new DJ looking to progress onto scratching and battle mixing, this is the perfect controller with which to start that journey.