Is the Roland x Serato DJ-808 a glimpse into the future of the DJ/Producer?

  Roland 909 day- DID. NOT. DISAPPOINT. Some product announcements we expected, other's we did not (branded turntables/mixer???) And some great performances from a host of uber talented musicians as you would expect from one of the worlds leading instrument manufacturers. But we're here to talk about the DJ-808.

  The DJ-808 is a collaboration between Roland and Serato, combining world class hardware with Serato's acclaimed DJ software which has set the standard for the DVS (digital vinyl system) for pretty much since the market has existed. Through superior engineering Roland has managed to get rid of the pesky problem of DJ controller jog wheel latency (or at least reduced it to a point where it's not even a factor) which has kept a lot of would-be controller converts away. The built-in 24-bit 96k audio interface means that you're not compromising audio in the signal chain, but rather this output is one of the highest quality on the market- and that's important when you consider all of extras the 808 brings to the table, like the included vocoder and TRS drum machine. The Voice Transformer is built on Roland's highly successful Aira VT-3 module and boasts an incredible capacity to extract the key from a track in Serato and pitch your voice to match and is on it's own independent channel with gain control, so you don't have to give up a channel for dj'ing while in use. 

  One of the most prominent differences between the DJ-808 and other controllers is the built-in TRS drum machine/sequencer. This is like having all of the best sounds and features of Roland's legendary 909, 808, 707 and 606 drum machines at your finger tips and in-time with your DJ set at your fingertips. The fact that it's so accessible is sure to inspire more that a few improvisations and is just as handy in the studio as it is during live performance. I think what we're seeing with the DJ-808 is a push for creativity to the forefront of the electronic DJ/Producer live set. We've all seen our favorite DJ's beat match their hit tracks in and out- but only a few at the top tour with drums machines and rock them live, partly due to the fickle nature of such units and of course, the expense. 

  With Roland's Aira link technology you can easily incorporate your other Aira products (TB-3, System-1, etc) over usb, bring them into the aux and keep audio in time with your set inside Serato. Of course you'll find the standard effects that most DJ controllers come stock with these days, slice, roll, dub fx and the like, but the DJ-808 is far from your standard controller and we think you'll feel the same. 

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