05.03.08 RMP-2 Test by Raveline Magazin 02.07

Here we go: Tear open the box, chuck the polystyrene wrapper and grab the player. The Reloop looks hot: Its rounded edges and user surface give it a very special feel. With its 4 kg it is also relatively heavy (the large Pioneer weighs a mere 200g more). For colour freaks who like to be the vogue, the RMP-2 also comes in white! The large-sized jog wheel, which easily houses a 7" and which is touch-sensitive, greets you with the big smile. The transparent design of the display helps locate all necessary information and functions at a glance. And even in complete darkness there is no need to lose orientation. The glowing - not glaring - illumination has a contemporary feel to it without imitating a disco, and puts forward a clean display. Whereas the RMP-1 still features a tray, its big brother works with a simpler, fast slot which for a device of this price category (RRP is Euro 569 – the street value is currently rated at Euro 489) is to be expected. The outputs to the rear also offer a cinch couple for analogue stereo out, one digital (as a cinch) and headphone output (6.35 mm jack), which can be set additionally.

Loops are quickly made and cut. I use the IN button to define the start; the OUT button for the end and set the seamless integration of my loop in the track. Following deactivation of the OUT button there is a neat transition at the interruption point. However, be sure not to cut a loop with shaky fingers because the Reloop only plays how you press. The beat link buttons quantise the effects, but unfortunately not a loop. Four Cue points can be created per track. In general, the Reloop returns to the first Cue point of a track when operating the button. No point in pressing again during play. The four Cue points are defined by activating the IN button and then determining the new Cue point. Not a bad solution considering how easily one tends to press the Cue button too quickly during play, quickly messing up one's entire setting. By the way, the Cue points are stored on the same bank buttons than one's own created samples, which the RMP-2 can also repeat pitched.

The Pitch fader is designed with a 'long draw' and can be switched off. As a result, the Reloop has a master tempo which, following activation of the pitch fader, can be extended to +/- 4, 8, 16 and 100 per cent. Consequently, it is a piece of cake to integrate even a Sophie Ellis Bextor-track into a Rotterdam Speedcore-mix. The precision adjustment to the necessary pitch can be carried out with the help of the bend buttons or the jog wheel. Due to the accuracy of the RMP-2, the target pitch is reached in a few seconds only. The Auto BPM Counter is equally helpful here, as is the built-in tap option to determine the beats.

I particularly enjoyed the Jog Wheel which on the one hand is very convenient and smooth to use, and on the other can be operated with great precision: Whether for instant pitch corrections for the turntable by briefly 'nudging', or 'delaying' while in scratch mode by spontaneously addressing as a result of the sensitivity (a brief 'repose' of the track could not even be made out at the twentieth 'scratch', i.e. the player always started again at the very starting point) or when using the effects, should you decide to forget about the quantised effects and wish to set the values (after pressing the time button) yourself.

And on the topic of effects: The RMP-2 offers a neat collection of effects such as Filter, Skid, Echo, Flanger, Trans, Phase, Pan, Break plus Hold with ratio and time parameters. They are automatically linked to the BPM counter so that the effects are practically played quantised, personalising one's very own idea of time ratio by pressing the very button (1/8 beat, ¼ beat, ½ beat, ¾ beat, 1/1 beat, 2/1 beat and even 4/1 beat). Creative and expressionist forces continue to have the option to depart from the metric path and (as already mentioned) modulate the effect using the jog wheel. Since the underlying characteristics of the effects are maintained and can merely be altered in terms of time, one tends to grow tired quite quickly of these effects. As a plus for playing, however, they are completely okay, especially since few CD players boast any effects at all.

The MP3 section has been successfully integrated into the RMP-2. The folder structure is easy to research and the display always indicates the ID3 tag of the track. The folder's hierarchy is researched with forward and reverse. By pressing the skip dial, the folder opens up and skips between the individual tracks. The Reloop does not distinguish between audio and MP3-CD – just the way it should be!

So much for the technical frills. But just how hot is the Reloop if moved during play, or if someone accidentally hits the player with a bottle (or not)? Which extraterrestrial forces can the RMP-2 fend off? Neither a small shove nor a harder hit or even lifting it with the resulting tremble could stir the anti-shock mechanism (10 seconds). The RMP-2 continues to play calmly. Nothing will ruffle its feathers. I refrained from the cobble stone and Champaign cooler test, since the manufacturer requested that I return the loaner.