Roland DJ-808 Controller Review

Author:: DJ Blaze
Updated:: Feb 12, 2018
Original:: Dec 5, 2016

Overview

The Roland DJ-808 is a new professional level DJ controller that works perfectly with Serato DJ and has the familiar 8-pad sections with all the familiar modes and a new way to control the pitch in time functions for playback. The Roland DJ-808 also has a full featured 16 step sequencer with TR 909, 808, 707 and 606 drum racks built right in! There is also a VT voice changer as well. Check out our Full In-depth video review to see how it stacks up.

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Review Video & Demo

Unboxing Video

Setup & First Impressions

The Roland DJ-808 is a new professional level DJ controller that works perfectly with Serato DJ and has the familiar 8-pad sections with all the familiar modes and a new way to control the pitch in time functions for playback. The Roland DJ-808 also has a full featured 16 step sequencer with TR 909, 808, 707 and 606 drum racks built right in! There is also a VT voice changer as well. Check out our Full In-depth video review above for full rundown.

Pros

Super-Full Featured Serato DJ Controller
Built-In Roland TR-S Sequencer & VT
Excellent Jog Wheel Feel (Very Low Latency)
New Serato DJ On-Board Features like PNT & Pitch Play

Cons

Hollow/Plastic Body Feel
Expensive

For 909 Day, Roland has announced a new DJ controller and sequencer/drum machine unit called the Roland DJ-808. This new professional level DJ controller will work perfectly with Serato DJ and has the familiar 8-pad sections with all the familiar modes and a new way to control the pitch in time functions for playback. The Roland DJ-808 also has a full featured 16 step sequencer with TR 909, 808, 707 and 606 drum racks built right in! There is also a VT voice changer as well. Check out the press release and more info inside.

The Roland DJ-808 is a new professional level DJ controller that works perfectly with Serato DJ and has the familiar 8-pad sections with all the familiar modes and a new way to control the pitch in time functions for playback. The Roland DJ-808 also has a full featured 16 step sequencer with TR 909, 808, 707 and 606 drum racks built right in! There is also a VT voice changer as well. Check out our unboxing & first impressions video and stay tuned for the full out review!

Check out our review video of the Roland DJ-505 Controller.

Check out Roland's new entry-level DJ, the DJ-202.

Serato DJ has just released a new cool performance video showing Tropkillaz creating a live mashup using two Roland DJ-808 Controllers. These controllers have the built in sequencer from Roland and all the other Serato DJ features that DJ's need to create great performances like this. Check out or full review of the Roland DJ-808 Controller and peep the new performance video by Tropkillaz to see what can be done on this cool machine.

roland-dj707

Watch our review of the Roland DJ-707M Mobile DJ Controller for Serato DJ.

Roland continues to march forward with their DJ range lineup that now includes the new DJ-505 which is a trimmed down 2-channel version of the DJ-808 we reviewed earlier this year and a DJ-202 which is an entry level Serato DJ Intro compact/affordable controller.

Check out the Roland DJ-202 & Roland DJ-505 Comparison Video