Reloop Terminal Mix 2 Review
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Reloop Terminal Mix 2 Staff Review
Reloop Terminal Mix 2 Review Video & Summary:
The Reloop brand has continuously produced some very high-quality gear all with their no-nonsense black and silver coloring scheme with very intuitive layouts and controls for DJ's to hone their craft. In continuing with that same scheme, Reloop has announced their newest Digital DJ Controller lineup which consists of the Terminal Mix 4 (Four Deck Controller) and the Terminal Mix 2 (Two Deck Controller). This review will focus on the Reloop Terminal Mix 2 DJ controller as we recently reviewed the Reloop Terminal Mix 4 only a few short weeks ago. This review will be very similar to the Terminal Mix 4 review since both units are almost identical while the Terminal Mix 2 is more compact with two less channel controls to worry about. The Reloop Terminal Mix 2 can still work as a full Four-Deck controller since there are buttons for each side of the fader to (layered) turn each deck controls into the controls for the additional channel. The Reloop Terminal Mix 2 has a very nice overall build and layout to it.
The Terminal Mix 2 is made up of mostly Metal with a little bit of plastic thrown in to save on weight. The Terminal Mix 2 is also very compact meaning that you will be able to throw it into a standard laptop size bag and take it with you. The unit has a very SOLID feel to it and it will last a very long time with normal use. All of the knobs are nice and over-sized so that the DJ can accurately mix to the exact levels as needed. The Jog wheels on the Terminal Mix 2 are the exact same Jog wheels that are found on the Terminal Mix 4. These are still some of the best jog wheels that I have ever used on a DJ controller. They don't have any type of tension adjustment but the touch sensitivity adjustment can be done when powering the unit on as an advanced feature. The weight and the feel of the Jog wheels is just right and backspins, scratching, and beat matching was all done with ease. When you backspin and let them go, they continue to spin for a while and the ribbed top surface just feels right in the hand. They are truly some of the best High-Resolution jog wheels on the market and they were lots of fun to use. The Crossfader also has the same really great feel to it. It doesn't feel cheap like other controllers and it has a nice audible click when you hit the end of the fader plate. I really liked the feel of the crossfader, even though the cut-in distance for all software tested was a rather long 2mm. I was still able to pull off lots of fun scratch routines with the Reloop Terminal Mix 2 but it's definitely not meant for it (Serato DJ Intro where it works the best for scratching/juggling). The Line faders have more resistance to them and they also have the same higher-than-normal quality feel to them as with the crossfader.
The Terminal Mix 2 comes bundled with two different software for the DJ to choose from. The first software is the Serato DJ Intro which utilizes Two Decks of operation. The Terminal Mix 4 also came bundled with this same software, but it seems to make much more sense now that it is on a two-deck style chassis. So if you are buying the Terminal Mix 2 to use with Serato DJ Intro, just be aware that Intro is a base-form of Serato DJ software and lots of features on the Terminal Mix 2 will no longer work. For example, Serato DJ Intro only provides you with a total of four Cue points, four Sample banks, and the Loop Move Knob does nothing at all. The effects are limited and there isn't much more you can do in the software other than mix from track to track, but it does this extremely well. In Serato DJ Intro, the DJ will have the tightest Jog Wheel integration of all and scratching will be much nicer than on Virtual DJ LE or Traktor.
In order for the DJ to unlock more potential of the unit, they will most likely use the controller with Virtual DJ LE. The Virtual DJ LE that comes bundled with the Terminal Mix 2 is a well-rounded software with a total of four decks of control now active for use. In Virtual DJ LE, the software screen actually looks like an exact copy of the controller and everything is very easily laid out. Even though this is a two-deck controller, there are Buttons labeled “3” and “4” which will turn the controls for decks “1” and “2” into the controls for decks “3” and “4”. There are a total of eight Cue points in Virtual DJ LE and also eight Sample banks for DJ's to use on the fly. Furthermore, everything on the face of the controller now actually works for some feature or another. The Jog Wheel is not as accurate when scratching and back cueing with Virtual DJ LE as it is in Serato DJ Intro, so the DJ will have to decide what is more important to them when picking which software to use.
On the Reloop DJ website, users can download different MIDI mapping files for other DJ software. The Terminal Mix 2 works very nicely with Traktor 2.5 and there is a TSI file available for two regular decks and two sample decks of control, or for all four track decks depending on mixing style. I felt that the Terminal Mix 4 had a great overall balance when used with Traktor and the jog wheels were better than Virtual DJ LE, but not quite as good as the Serato DJ intro, but there is just so much more you can do in Traktor Pro than what you can do with Virtual DJ LE or Serato DJ Intro. DJ's may want to either purchase the full-Version of Virtual DJ LE or Traktor Pro to truly take advantage of such a great controller. Reloop could have included a real PRO version of a software suite with the Terminal Mix 2, but I suppose they did not in order to keep down the costs and allow for DJ's to choose for themselves which software they actually want to continue on with.
Some other great points on the Terminal Mix 2 include the Emergency "Through" Auxiliary input on the back of the unit. It's great to have another input on a DJ controller just in case your computer software takes a dive during a gig, you can now easily plug in any RCA device (AKA MP3 player) to the rear of the Terminal Mix 2 and use the front Volume control to play from another source. The Terminal Mix 2 also has a very nice and full feature set with lots of MIDI controls and buttons for Hot Cues, Loops, Samples, Effects and big rubberized transport controls below the jog wheels.
On the Downside, even though The Terminal Mix 2 comes with Virtual DJ LE and Serato DJ Intro, it does not come with a full-featured PRO version of any software meaning that any DJ who wants to "get serious" with their craft will have to come out of pocket to get Virtual DJ Professional (for better effects and more controls) or Traktor Pro 2.5. My last issue with the Terminal Mix 2 is with the Line Level LED indicators found in the middle of the line faders. The LED indicators only show LINE Master level of the mix and don't show individual volumes per deck meaning that you can't really get a good gauge on the GAIN needs of a deck until it is actually playing live over the master output.
In Conclusion, The Reloop Terminal Mix 2 is a high-quality and heavy-duty Digital DJ controller with some of the best jog wheels ever made and very nice fader feel to go with it. The all-metal chassis is also very compact and easily fits into a smaller Laptop bag. All of the EQ and control knobs are nice and oversized and the user gets to choose between Virtual DJ LE or Serato DJ Intro to spin with. The Terminal Mix 2 is also a full out MIDI controller meaning it can be customized to work with almost any DJ software on the market. The Terminal Mix 2 has all the extra features a DJ could need (Hot Cue, Sample, Loop, Effects controls) and a nice Emergency AUX through input in case a software takes a plunge. If users are willing to purchase a “full-featured” software when they turn "pro" and they can live without the individual Line level meters then the Terminal Mix 2 may be right for them. We are going to recommend the Reloop Terminal Mix 2 to any DJ who wants a professional and versatile (can be MIDI programmed for almost anything) DJ controller with high quality control feel and a bunch of on-board features to please DJ's everywhere.
Pro's:
-Very Nice Compact and Heavy-Duty Build Quality
-Extremely Nice Jog Wheel Feel and Emulation
-Nice Over-sized EQ and control knobs
-Comes bundled w/Serato DJ Intro (2-deck) & Virtual DJ LE (4-deck)
-Works with almost all MIDI DJ Software (Including Traktor)
-Emergency "Through" AUX input
-All the Hot Cue, Sample, Loops, Effects Controls a DJ could want
Con's:
-No True "Full-Featured" Software Included (Additional Purchase)
-Master Only LED Level Indicators
Reloop Terminal Mix 2 Features
Reloop Terminal Mix 2
The 2-Deck DJ Controller designed for Serato
With the Terminal Mix 2 Reloop complements its Serato controller series with a dedicated 2-deck variant.
Terminal Mix 2 disposes of an integrated 2-channel mixer that besides 3-fold EQ with intelligent kill technique* also offers gain and filter modulation per channel. The crossfader curve can be adjusted comfortably on the device's front side.
In addition to the popular Trax Encoder, the master section is now equipped with four convenient management buttons which allow direct access to playlists, crates or further layout views without the need to touch your laptop. This means a desired track can be located and loaded instantly into any deck via the designated load buttons - a fader start* function can also be activated if desired.
15.5 cm large jog wheels with vinyl grip
As a further highlight, Reloop has developed brand new ultra-flat aluminium jog platters which with an impressive XXL diameter of 15.5 cm have also been enhanced with a non-slip vinyl-grip coating for even more control over your tracks. With a total of 3 modes (Pitch Bend/Vinyl/Quick Search) it's possible to easily switch between pitch correcting, scratching, or browsing through tracks on the fly.
Trigger Action Deluxe
The entire transport section is fully equipped with rubberised buttons which offer a comfortable pressure point whilst also being extremely durable.
The performance section* features an extensive 8-button layout which can be utilised over 2 separate layers for true versatility. On the first layer 4 hot cues can be fired off and 4 sample decks can be triggered simultaneously. Depending on the software used, other creative possibilities are available, for example the option of accessing hot cues/samples 5-8 on the second layer - or with future software updates this section can be enhanced even further with brand new performance modes (Cut'n'Slice) for live remixing.
The extensive FX section is equipped with 4 buttons, 3 rotary knobs, and 1 endless encoder to provide even more creative possibilities in the mix. The smart loop section also features 4 independent controls allowing users to quickly set beat-precise loops, adjust the size of the loops and even move the loops whilst in a live situation.
Reloop also listened to the requests by many DJs and for the first time has integrated a 14 bit pitch fader with 100mm increments, allowing ultra-precise mixing and blending.
Power House Interface
The audio section offers a vast array of connecting possibilities for your master PA (including balanced output jacks), a zone function and a DJ booth system. Also very practical are the 2 headphones connections (6.3 mm & 3.5 mm) which can be adjusted with a 1-band equalizer. A microphone connection with a 1-fold EQ for MCs, hosts or singers has also been integrated and can be adjusted via a flexible routing switching system. Furthermore, it's possible to connect a turntable, CD/MP3 player, or iPhone/iPod to the Aux input which can be routed to the master or even software!
Serato DJ Intro Software included
Terminal Mix comes Plug'n'Play ready with Serato DJ Intro. Traktor Pro 2 mappings are also available.
Check in at Terminal Mix 2.
*Some features are only available with a software Pro version.
Mixer section:
Classic 2-channel design
1x Pro Longlife crossfader with adjustable crossfader curve
2x volume controllers with Pro Longlife linefaders
2x 3-band equalizer knobs
2x gain turning knobs
2x filter knobs
Player section:
2x 15.5cm touch-sensitive, two-part jog wheels for scratching, cueing, etc.
Different jog modes (Scratch & Pitch Bend, Quick Search)
Deck switch buttons for 4-deck control
2x high resolution 100mm 14-bit pitch faders without locking position
1x assignable turn & push encoder, 3x assignable knobs, 4x buttons for effect control
Unicoloured, glistening red illumination
Master section:
Cue mix, headphones volume, sampler volume and master control
Extra large Trax encoder for quick and easy music library browsing (with 2 load buttons)
2x 8-bar LED chain (master L+R)
Dimensions: 440 x 44 x 320 mm
Weight: 3.65 kg (net)
Incl. Serato DJ Intro and USB cord
Features
2-deck SERATO DJ performance controller
Integrated 4-channel USB audio club interface
Plug'n'Play: Connect your computer and mix your MP3s
Designed for the world's leading mixing software developer SERATO
Large transport section with all-new smooth-touch rubber buttons
Newly developed ultra-flat XXL jog wheels with vinyl-grip surface
Ergonomically arranged mixer/CD player design for quick and easy access
2-channel club mixer design with designated filter knobs and fader start
Deck switch buttons for controlling of up to 4 decks
Crossfader curve & assign switches on the front
Large 14 bit 100mm pitch fader with range and keylock functions
Mouse-less playlist management control
Versatile controls for effects, smart looping, hot cues and sampler
Performance section prepared for individual live remixing updates (Cut'n'Slice)
Stereo RCA input (with phono pre-amp) for hooking up a CD player or turntable with flexible routing control (into the software or to master)
6.3 mm microphone input jack with volume and equalizer control
Power House Interface: Boost your PA with balanced 6,3mm jack outputs or unbalanced stereo RCA outputs
Stereo RCA booth outputs for extra DJ monitors
2 headphones connections: 3.5 mm & 6.3 mm stereo for whatever plug is convenient including equalizer control
Shift buttons for second layer controls including shift lock feature
All controls in club size and quality
Altogether 90 MIDI controllers (56 buttons, 5 faders, 6 turn & push encoders, 21 turning knobs, 2 touch-sensitive jog wheels)
Controller is compatible with every MIDI-learning software
USB bus powered: Terminal Mix 2 can be powered via USB only (power supply optional)
Anti-theft device: Kensington safety slot
CORE/ASIO drivers with minimum latency and high-quality audio characteristics (Mac/PC)
Mac OSX and Windows XP/Vista/7 compatible
4-deck mapping available for Traktor PRO 2 (incl. sample deck control)
Comes Plug'n'Play ready with Serato DJ Intro
Best Price for the Reloop Terminal Mix 2
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Member Reviews and Ratings
|
DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 1 |
hi there,
I would like to know if the Terminal Mix 2 is out and what would be or is the price in the US. I have looked at every website that would carry it but only the T4 shows up. Can you please respond to this inquiry. |
| Posted on Jul 17, 2012 |
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