Published
Fri, Sep 9, 2016, 09:10
- The DJ-808 seeks to fuse live production with digital DJing.
Roland and Serato have revealed the DJ-808.
Serato CEO Young LY says the DJ-808 aims to bring "production, live performance and DJing even closer." The new product combines a four-channel mixer with Roland TR drum sounds, step sequencer, voice transformer and external synth integration.
The digital DJ mixer component dominates the layout, featuring velocity-sensitive pads, jog wheels, loopers and effects controls. The top edge contains the 16-step sequencer, which can trigger 909, 808, 707 and 606 sounds but also samples loaded into the Serato Sampler engine. The voice transformer looks similar to the VT-3 and can be automatically pitched to the key of any given track using an Auto Pitch function.
Two USB ports facilitate the connection of AIRA-family Roland synths, such as the SYSTEM-1, allowing users to jam along with or elaborate upon a playing track. Audio is processed in a 24bit/96kHz engine. There is currently no price or release date.
Roland announced the product in an ongoing livestream, in which they're expected to announce new versions of the TB303 and TR909.