Roland

DJ Michael 5000 Watts recently stopped by DJcity to throw down a mix using Roland’s DJ-808 controller. Watts is the founder and owner of the legendary Swishahouse record label and a mixer on Houston’s 97.9 The Box.

Swishahouse was influential in the rise of the “chopped and screwed” sound, releasing hits from Mike Jones, Paul Wall, and more.

In his routine, Watts chops up Southern hip-hop tracks, scratches acapellas, and puts the DJ-808’s range of features to use.

Watch above.

Tracklist:

1. Smackwater – Intro
1. Treal Lee & Prince Rick – Throwed Off (F#ck Everybody)
2. Mike Jones ft. Slim Thug & Paul Wall – Still Tippin’ – Acapella
3. DJ Khaled ft. T-Pain, Ludacris, Snoop Dogg, & Rick Ross – All I Do Is Win
4. Beyonce & JAY-Z – APESH#T
5. Z-Ro – Outro

Follow DJ Michael 5000 Watts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Related: Travel Tips for DJs Visiting Houston

In 2017, Mojaxx reviewed Roland’s flagship DJ controller, the DJ-808. Now, he takes a look at the company’s more affordable options: the DJ-505 and DJ-202. Both devices are all-in-one controllers that are designed to work with Serato DJ. And like the DJ-808, they both include the AIRA technology.

Watch Mo’s review above.

Related: Review: Roland DJ-808 Controller

Veteran DJ/producer Recloose stopped by DJcity’s Los Angeles office to showcase Roland’s new DJ-505 controller for Serato DJ. Announced in August, the DJ-505 is a smaller, two-channel version of the DJ-808. To demonstrate its power, Recloose live remixed Daryl Hall & John Oates’ timeless classic, “I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do).”

Follow Recloose on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Related: Review: Roland DJ-808 Controller

Roland made a big splash last fall when they announced the DJ-808 controller for Serato DJ, their first DJ-specific product in almost 20 years.

Mojaxx spent a few weeks getting to know the impressive hardware and has provided us with an in-depth review on Tips and Tricks.

Related: Trayze Performs With Roland and Serato’s DJ-808 Controller, Part 1

This year’s Red Bull Thre3style US Champion Trayze has returned with part two of his demo of Roland and Serato’s DJ-808 controller. The Washington, D.C. native originally performed the routine on “909 Day” in September, a 24-hour live stream hosted by Roland and Serato.

Tracklist:

1. AlunaGeorge – You Know You Like It – DJ Snake Remix
2. Cajmere – Percolator – Zagam 2K14 Remix – Trayze 909 Day Edit
3. Inner City – Good Life – Matt Smallwood Remix
4. AlunaGeorge – I’m In Control – Matthew Law & Jabair Remix – Trayze 909 Day Edit
5. Stevie Nicks – Stand Back – Trayze 909 Day Live Remix

Related: Trayze Performs With Roland and Serato’s DJ-808 Controller, Part 1

In September, Roland and Serato unveiled their new DJ-808 controller during a special 24-hour live stream event. To showcase the device, the companies called on Red Bull Thre3style US Champion Trayze to throw down a set.

Thankfully, those who missed the stream can watch Trayze perform the same routine in a new video filmed at Serato’s New York studio. Check it out above and stay tuned for part two.

Tracklist:

1. Eddie Kendricks – Day By Day
2. Lil Wayne – Let The Beat Build
3. Lil Wayne ft. Mannie Fresh – Go DJ
4. Mssingno – XE3 (Wheathin Turn)
5. Bassnectar ft. Mighty High Coup – The 808 Track
6. Clipse ft. Kelis & Pharrell – When the Last Time
7. Tropkillaz & Buku – Follow The Beat – Trayze 909 Day Edit
8. Faith Evans – Love Like This
9. Beyonce ft. Sean Paul – Baby Boy – Trayze 909 Day Edit
10. AlunaGeorge – You Know You Like It – DJ Snake Remix

Related: Serato Releases Serato DJ 1.9.5

Serato and Roland have announced a new four-channel controller, the DJ-808. It was revealed during Serato and Roland’s highly anticipated “909 Day” festival, which is currently streaming live (watch below).

The DJ-808 comes with built-in drum sequencing, vocal processing, external instrument connectivity, and Serato DJ integration. It is Roland’s first DJ controller, and according to Serato’s press release, will “redefine what it means to DJ.”

The press release says the DJ-808 was “developed in close collaboration with both companies from the very beginning” and combines “Serato’s software expertise” with “Roland’s excellence in hardware.”

“Serato’s collaboration with Roland opens the door to an exciting new wave of DJ hardware that brings production, live performance and DJing even closer,” Serato CEO Young Ly said. “The DJ-808 combines Serato DJ with the iconic Roland TR-808, and is the first controller from the new partnership.”

Roland CEO Jun-ichi Miki added, “The fusion of Serato’s core audio technology, such as Pitch ‘n Time, and the classic sounds of Roland’s legendary drum machines, have created the first and only instrument for the producer DJ.”

The DJ-808 will be available in October with a price of around $1,400 USD.

Watch the 909 Day live stream below and visit Serato’s website for more info.

Related: Serato and Roland Announce Partnership

Serato has announced a new partnership with Roland, the maker of the legendary TR-808 drum machine.

According to Serato’s press release:

“Serato and Roland are joining forces to create something truly unique and that will redefine what it means to be a DJ. Drawing on the combined experience of both companies, this shared vision will be realised in a special announcement on ‘909 Day’ (September 9th).”

909 Day, which Roland announced this week, will be a 24-hour online festival featuring performances, product debuts, and interviews. It is named after the successor to the TR-808, the TR-909.

Attack Magazine writes: “If the 808 was the rhythmic godfather of hip hop music, then the 909 is the same to techno and a fair slice of tougher-edged house.”

So does this mean that Serato and Roland are working on a new drum machine or controller? We don’t know, but it seems reasonable to assume that the project will involve drums.

Serato CEO Young Ly said about the partnership:

“Roland is an exciting new partner for Serato. It’s inspiring to be working closely with a company with such rich heritage and expertise in the musical performance and production world, and responsible for so much of the music that DJs play night after night. Both companies are closely aligned in our vision for the future of DJing and performance, and we’re excited to reveal this to the world.”

Serato will host a live stream event at their headquarters in Auckland, New Zealand to coincide with the announcement. It has also created a mailing list for the project, which you can sign up to here.

Related: Inklen’s MixEmergency 3.1 Plugin for Serato Is a Game Changer for DJ Visuals

 
A documentary about the influential Roland TR-808 drum machine is coming to theaters in 2015. Titled “808,” the film features appearances and commentary from Diplo, Pharrell, David Guetta, Lil Jon, Rick Rubin, Afrika Bambaataa, Questlove, Fatboy Slim, Phil Collins, and more.
 
The 808 was a revolutionary machine popularized in the 1980s by hits such as Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing” and Afrika Bambaataa’s “Planet Rock.” It’s impact has long been recognized and celebrated by artists, including Kanye West, who named his 2008 album after it.
 
“Making a documentary about a drum machine, a piece of electronic equipment, is an interesting challenge,” said director Alexander Dunn. “It has no voice of its own, so as a protagonist, it’s rather difficult to mold a story around. 808 has really been a journey of discovery for me. One that led myself and the team to meet over 50 musicians and artists from all around the world, hearing their personal stories about the 808 and the music they created using its iconic sounds. Those artists and musicians are the real protagonists of the film and the 808, in the hands of our contributors, would change music forever.”
 
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