Roland DJ-808 Digital DJ Controller

Product discontinued

Roland DJ-808 Digital DJ Controller

Product discontinued

Roland DJ-808 Digital DJ Controller Overview

ROLAND DJ-808 Digital DJ controller Production Overview By GAK 

Beyond typical DJ controllers, the DJ-808 is also an instrument, offering a built-in, customisable Roland TR-S drum machine featuring high-quality, iconic 606, 707, 808 and 909 drum sounds. The 16-step TR-S sequencer offers trigger control over the Serato Sampler within Serato DJ. Also onboard are velocity-sensitive RGB colour pads that can be used for HOT CUE, ROLL, TR PAD MODES, SAMPLER and more, and dedicated FX control knobs for unlimited creative options.

The DJ-808’s dedicated vocal processor (the VT Voice Transformer) can drastically transform any voice for dramatic effects, as well as pitch the performer’s voice to match the key of Serato DJ tracks, via the Auto Pitch function. 

Raising the bar further, DJs can also connect compatible turntables, microphones and other Roland synths and electronic gadgets to produce a live remix, trigger keyboard arpeggios or play live bass lines, all with a single USB cable. Users can now easily inject new musical elements into their performance or production that will easily sync to their Serato DJ tracks. 

The familiar workflow is complemented by smooth, intuitive knobs and faders, adjustable curves, a removable crossfader, and touch-sensitive RGB buttons for HOT CUE, ROLL, SAMPLER, SLICER, PITCH PLAY and TR drum machine triggering. The DJ-808 also offers deep Serato DJ control via built-in DVS support (with the purchase of a Serato DVS licence), dedicated loop control buttons, and controls for Serato Flip, HOT CUE, FX and Key Sync. 
DJs can cut, scratch and cue with two high-performance platters that offer the lowest latency of any DJ controller. Dual deck mode enables simultaneous control of two decks. 

Roland Product Overview

The First and Only Instrument for the Producer DJ
The DJ-808 is a state-of-the-art DJ controller with a 4-channel mixer, built-in drum sequencing, vocal processing, and the deepest Serato DJ integration available. Going way beyond a typical DJ controller, the DJ-808 is an instrument, with a Roland “TR-S” drum machine that contains the world’s most iconic drum sounds and can even control the Serato Sampler within Serato DJ. The VT Voice Transformer can pitch your voice to match the key of your Serato DJ tracks, while two AIRA Link ports let you connect compatible synths and electronic gadgets, and produce a live remix, with just a simple USB cable. Sound quality is high-end and the hardware is built tough yet easy to carry—ready for inspired sets that push the boundaries of what it means to DJ.

World-class software meets world-class hardware
With the DJ-808, Serato and Roland bring the best of software and hardware together into a single instrument that ushers in a new era of DJ’ing. It melds the supreme power of Serato DJ software with the genre-defining sound and precise engineering of Roland hardware. Decades of combined expertise give today’s producers and DJs state-of-the-art tools and innovative features that open up a new world of creative options, both on stage and in the studio.

Legendary TR Drum Sounds & Sequencing

From the TR-909's unmistakable hi-hats to the wall-shaking boom of the TR-808, Roland TR drum machines have defined the sound of entire genres of dance music. Customise your beats on the fly and in the moment using the DJ-808’s built-in TR drum machine with its iconic sounds and 16-step sequencer that stays in perfect sync with Serato DJ.
The integrated TR drum machine contains the Bass Drum, Snare Drum, Hi-Hats and Clap from the TR-808, TR-909, TR-707, and TR-606 drum machines—the rhythmic foundation of a lot of dance music. These sounds use Roland’s acclaimed and award-winning Analog Circuit Behavior, faithfully replicating the original electronic circuitry of these influential rhythm boxes. It means you get all the thump and sizzle of the classic instruments, with dedicated knobs to control tuning, attack, and decay—putting a new twist on these legendary sounds.
In addition to the internal TR drum sounds, the TR-S sequencer can also trigger the new 8-slot Serato Sampler within Serato DJ. You can mix and match individual drum sounds, layer kicks and snares, and build drum parts limited only by your creativity.

Deep Serato DJ control
Careful design considerations in the Roland DJ-808 take full advantage of everything Serato DJ has to offer. Built-in DVS support (with the purchase of a Serato DVS licence), controls for Serato Flip, HOT CUE, FX, even Key Sync—it is all there. Key Sync and Loop functions get dedicated sections so you can quickly adjust the key or shift the loop for a particular deck. The design of every pad, slider and button is with performance in mind. This workflow feels familiar and yet new and exciting, all at the same time.

Cut, Scratch and Cue with the High-Performance Platters
The large, high-quality platters feel great and have the lowest latency of any DJ controller available. You get incredibly tight control over your music with super-fast scratches and cuts. The durable and responsive platters have integrated displays that clearly show playback status so you’re always in control. You can even control two decks simultaneously from a single platter with dual deck mode.

Expand your DJ setup—on stage and in the studio
If you are a producer, a DJ, or both, the built-in connectivity for synths, turntables, microphones and more allows the DJ-808 to take your craft to a completely new level. Two AIRA link USB ports let you easily connect compatible Roland instruments and effects with a single USB cable. Trigger synchronised keyboard arpeggios or play live bass lines, leads and sound effects. One connection is all you need to inject your DJ sets or productions with exciting musical elements that can easily sync to your Serato DJ tracks.

Pitch Perfect with Voice Transformer and Serato Key
Not only does the DJ-808 have a high quality mic input with an XLR combo jack, but also has a dedicated vocal processor, the VT Voice Transformer, that can drastically transform your voice. Knobs for EQ, Pitch and Formant make dramatic vocal effects easy and the ducking capability will automatically adjust the volume when speaking or singing into the mic. And the VT’s Auto Pitch function will even re-pitch the incoming signal to match the key of your Serato DJ tracks.

Pro hardware for demanding sets
Roland has a long history of making rock-solid, reliable instruments with performance in mind, and the DJ-808 is no exception. It has smooth, intuitive knobs and faders, adjustable curves, removable crossfader and touch-sensitive RGB buttons for HOT CUE, ROLL, SAMPLER, SLICER, PITCH PLAY and TR drum machine triggering.
Equipped with both 1/8” (3.5mm) and 1/4” (6.35mm) headphones jacks, combo XLR input jacks, built-in phono pre-amp, solid build quality, and audiophile sound quality—it is arguably the most thoughtfully designed DJ controller ever built.

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5 out of 5
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Rated 5.00 out of 5 20/8/2022

Still trying to adjust.

Dj Kurly

Rated 5.00 out of 5 11/7/2017

Stunning product, well built & intuative to use from the off. The possibilities for production are vast and exciting.. My wife will be a dj-widow for sometime now as I'll be busy twiddling quite different knobs and buttons with this beauty of a machine.

Dj ByrNe