Synth - DJ - Roland Indonesia Blog

DJ

The fusion of beatmaker and producer

Being a DJ has come a very long way since the days of spinning vinyl with a turntable and a stylus.

Many DJs of the earlier years of spinning records were extremely talented with practiced skillsets to match, but now with the steady increase of DJ and music production technology, the line between, DJ, beatmaker and producer has blurred.

There’s a lot to learn about new techniques, the equipment, its capabilities, and the fusion of software and hardware, but the results for your live performances and music productions can be extremely rewarding.

Your Guide to Using the Roland DJ-808
with Serato DJ

The Roland DJ-808 is an exceptionally powerful DJ performance instrument. Featuring an onboard TR sequencer, low latency platters, and AIRA Link, the DJ-808 is set to truly take live DJ performances to the next level. However, the DJ-808 is only half of the equation. Without understanding Serato DJ software, you won’t be getting the most out of this amazing piece of kit.

In this article, we’ll go into depth on how to make the most of Serato DJ’s amazing features and how they relate to the DJ-808’s hardware controls.

Creating Beats for Dance Styles
with the DJ-808

House music is the backbone of many dance genres and has spawned a wide range of variations.

Starting in the early 80s, House utilises a four-on-the-floor Kick and off-beat Hats or Percussion. We wouldn’t have House as we know it without the iconic Roland TR-909 drum machine, so it’s great to have an ACB recreation built into the DJ-808!

Here’s how you can make a traditional House beat.

From the Bedroom to the Club - Crafting a DJ Set

Add DJ to your Musician Gig -
the Complete Entertainer

There are a number of solo musicians that have discovered that by offering a dual entertainment package they can get more gigs!

They perform as a solo musician at the beginning of the evening and then take the wheel as the DJ for the latter part of the night.

This scenario has become a growing trend among musicians for obvious reasons!

In this article, we look at some of the challenges facing solo musicians performing at weddings and events.

How to Craft a Good DJ Set

So, you’ve got the basics of DJing down and are looking to record a set. You want to do this to promote yourself and get gigs, or you’re about to play your first show.

There are no absolute rights or wrongs with DJ sets. They will differ depending on what genre or kind of event you are playing.

A good DJ set is like a story. It has ups and downs and twists and turns, all while taking the listener on a journey. Here are a few tips to help you create an engaging set and nail it.

How to Go from the Bedroom to the Club
Getting Your First DJ Gigs

How do I create beats for different dance genres with the DJ-808?

In this article, we’ll show you how to create some typical breaks on the DJ-808. Whether you play House, Drum and Bass, Trap or Electro, you can use the TR-S on the DJ-808 to incorporate live drum elements into your mix and make your sets stand out from the crowd.

The videos included here will give you a guide to creating some classic dance beats on the DJ-808’s TR-style step sequencer.