Just because you want a small smartphone, it doesn’t necessarily mean you want fewer features, right? Well, the Reloop Ready is here for people who want a really small DJ controller, but who likewise don’t want to sacrifice functionality.
Coming in at the same size as the recently released Reloop Buddy (a controller for Algoriddim’s djay software), the Reloop Ready at first glance looks like “just a Serato version” of the Buddy – but actually, it’s a different beast entirely.
To start with, it has full sized RGB pads. Then there are the tempo faders in a strange position either side of the EQ controls (the latter to free up space for the former). It has access to both of Serato’s effects engines – something many full-sized controllers don’t do nowadays. And it has per-channel filters, EQs (two-band), gain controls, two loop encoders, keylock, a censor button, a vinyl mode button, and more.
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There are RCA outs for your speakers, an 1/8″ headphones out, and a cue mix knob as well as the headphones volume knob. Like the Reloop Buddy, all of these are around the side to save space.
Serato DJ Pro functions
The Reloop Ready comes with Serato DJ Lite, but if you upgrade to Pro (or more likely, already own Pro, as you’re buying this as a second controller), the list of functions it controls grows considerably.
As well as the standard pad functions such as hot cues, auto and manual loops, and sampler, you get Pitch Play, Scratch Bank, loop roll and beatgridding. Each set of eight pads has a pair of parameter buttons too to help you make full use of some of those pad functions I just listed.
Pro users also get key sync and slip mode (the latter only if you also own Pitch ‘n Time).
Ready? Weird name for a controller…
Funnily enough, we just spent a week with DJ Angelo, who as well as being a world-beating DJ is also a Reloop ambassador. We were filming a forthcoming mixing course with him, and he actually turned up at our studios with one of these.
It turns out he had a hand in the design of it, and also the name. We asked him about both. He said:
“The Reloop Ready is a product I’ve dreamed about for years. It’s compact and portable but with all the professional features I need to prepare, create, and even perform my sets anytime, anywhere. Always ready!”
Underlining its claim to be the ultimate portable DJ controller, the Reloop Ready sits nicely on a 13″ laptop, covering the keyboard, giving the user an easy way to prep sets and practise DJing anywhere they can open a laptop.
Read this next Reloop Ready Controller Review
The Reloop Ready is clearly a winner if you need a Serato controller in this form factor, being the first unit to truly pack in all these features in such a small space. It literally punches way above its weight.
• The Reloop Ready is available now at €279/$349/£249. More info from Reloop’s website.
Phil Morse
