The Lowdown
The MP2014 is essentially a cut down two-channel version of the elegant MP2015 rotary mixer, with all the features of its larger sibling including isolator EQ controls, dual USB ports and those beautiful silver rotary knobs. Sound-wise, its right up there – it’s a beautiful harmony of high-quality rotary controls with state-of-the-art digital signal processing and dual 16-channel USB sound cards. If you are in the market for a top quality two channel mixer (with the budget to match), this should be on your shortlist.
First Impressions / Setting up
We’ve already had a hands-on review with the Rane MP2015 and liked that one a lot. Now, the MP2014 has almost all of the features of the MP2015 but with only two channels instead of four and minus the sub mix section. The digital inputs have also been removed on the MP2014, whereas the MP2015 has digital inputs for each channel.
The MP2014 shares the beautiful classic look of the MP2015, with high-quality knobs and switches, wooden side panels, and a metal chassis and faceplate. Still no faders on this one, the MP2014 is a full rotary mixer. Now being Traktor Scratch and DVS Certified, it has become more versatile than when it first came out.
In Use
The MP2014 is a solid machine that is built to last. The knobs and posts are top notch, custom made for Rane, and have just about the perfect tension. The lights on the VU meters are nice and bright and have great visibility in low light settings.
Users like that the session input has its own cue and filter controls, which allows it to function as a third channel minus the three-band EQ of the two main channels. The MP2014 may be missing the sub mix section of the MP2015, but it retains the FX loops allowing users to hook up to an external FX unit.
Even if you’re missing the digital inputs on the MP2014, the sound quality remains phenomenal. Reviews find the MP2014’s sound to be totally clean and transparent. This means the DJs are encouraged to use the Isolators, allowing them to blend and create the perfect colour, shape, and sound of their music.
DJs looking at the MP2014 and some of its users, would have wanted to have a crossfader on the MP2014. A crossfader would have opened it up to more DJs who need it for mixing and scratching. In that respect, the MP2014 still does not appeal to everyone, and its steep price still keeps it out of reach for many DJs.
Conclusion
The MP2014 is a beauty of a mixer: it produces a clean sound with functions that are put together well, and with the same build quality as the bigger MP2015. If you’re the right DJ for what it has to offer and can do without the crossfader, then the MP2014 is a worthwhile investment.
