Review: Roland DJ-505 and DJ-202 Controllers | Tips and Tricks

[@Lily-gr1ct]

I have the DJ-202 and bought it as my first controller. I'm enjoying a lot of the features on it, however I will agree that the drum sequencer is such a faff and I really struggle to get into it. I've had the controller well over half a year now and I've pretty much given up on trying to sequence a loop, merely finger drumming if I wanna get the sounds out (and even then to get to the finger drum section, you hold shift, press the drum pad twice, so even that isn't intuitive). My only other gripe is the tiny pitch faders, but I bought the Mixtrack Platinum and had to send 3 back for the same sound issues so bought the 202 instead. I'm learning to beatmatch by ear, but I still need to look at the screen to really dial it in accurately because I can get to .5-1 of a bpm, then the adjust is so tiny even when checking on the screen, I often go under or over trying to make fine adjustments I'd highly recommend this piece of kit and I don't regret buying it, though the extras of the drum machine are such a struggle to work with in some ways the RB might be better as it comes with full Rekordbox and this comes with the Serato intro/lite.

[@Mojaxx]

sparkjolt Thank you for giving a real beginner perspective, it’s appreciated. I’m going to start campaigning hard for Serato to include those smaller pitch ranges I mentioned, as their is a lot of hardware which has short pitch faders and would benefit from it.

[@descry1]

have you tried a cloud academy class? pretty in depth going through the sequencer

[@Lily-gr1ct]

can't say I have, but I did give it the "college try" and even have the button sequences printed out and stuck to the wall in front of me. I will use the sequencer for producing when I can afford some software, but for DJing it's difficult without a lot of planning, and impossible to do completely on the fly. I'm not saying it's completely useless, I enjoy the ability to finger drum and have real 808/909 sounds added into a track, but it's just not my focus as I'd rather dial in mixing and blending well at this point in time

[@descry1]

i hear you, as a beginner it's definitely better for start focusing on mixing then moving onto the more technical aspect of your gear. i can attest that it's alot easier if someone shows you. it's just a matter of muscle memory

[@spectralknights2]

sparkjolt the serato dj pro license upgrade is free on dj202. check Roland website

[@djpure705]

99% sure im gettin the 505, will go great with my 303, 808, 909, 707, and 727 :)

[@dj_paultuk7052]

Its amazing these things are bus powered. A standard old laptop with USB2 for example can only put out 0.5 amps max load.

[@Justicefu]

the 505 has a wall plug

[@junglist1soldier]

Hey Mo, can you do an updated review on the 505? I just got one brand new 3 months ago and 2 time's, I had issues. I love its features but, I am on the fence on keeping it now because I'm not sure how common this is. A track kept playing on deck 2 even though I kept hitting stop & then the top FX will not stop once activated, forcing me to restart the controller. I had the same FX problem with a brand new SX3 I ended up returning a couple years back, thinking it was defective but, now I'm wondering if it's my laptop. It does meet the requirements though so, I'm so confused. Any other 505 owners with similar issues? Tips?

[@VanQ76]

The 505 might be a nice controller, if you get a working one! I had to send mine back 4 times because of issues with the jog-wheels. I switched to Pioneer, they sell stuff thats actually works!

[@CZARAIR45]

VanQ76 wow having a problem with my dj202 the left jog wheel freezes ever so often I’m under warranty but I think I’m going to move onto Pioneer

[@junglist1soldier]

Wait, what? Supposed to be the lowest latency platrers & I haven't seen anyone have a problem with them. Sure it's not your guys ' PC's?

[@junglist1soldier]

So, I was considering some rubber caps for my knobs but, I was wondering if it's normal for them to be difficult to remove? Do you need a special tool? Should just pull off, no? I think they're all 180° knob's? I don't want to just get them for the color options but, I do miss that nice rubber feel that the Nexus & others have. Long pitch faders & play head indicators lacking is a bit to get used to. Very difficult to match beats with a short throw pitch. Some kind of upgrade kit should be made available for all controller's without the play position indicators. Like what Innofader does for crossfaders! Maybe rgb LED's to be able to select any color options. There's an invention I just gave away for free! Maybe, I'll just end up throwing some stickers on like they do records? After some skinz are applied. Have you seen any caps thrown on a 505 or, 202 Mo? Any tips on that? Also, if you connect a synth by midi, do you need a non-Aira product to have a sequencer also or, is the sequencer on the TR-S enough? Thanxx for your great video's Mojaxx! BTW, I am also a Transformer collector which persuaded me to first subscribe to your channel year's ago! Stay Safe! From Los Angeles during COVID & George Floyd Protests with much love/RESPECT. Old School Raver since the 90's & Hip-Hop from the 80's B-Boy.

[@as680783]

The days of 'Captain Rock', 'World Class Wreckin' Crew', 'Triple Threat', 'DJ Cheez', 'Junsen Cru', 'The Two Live Crew'. And the days of a 'Homeboy, Hippie, and a Funki Dredd', and 'The Incubus', 'SL2', and 'Frank De Wolf'. I HEAR YA HOME BOY! From a UK old skool raver and breaker.

[@DJdoublevision]

i hsd that Realistic stereo disco mixer ....first one i ever had ...must had been about 10 or 11 yrs old

[@sentientbean1]

Ditto. My first mixer

[@stanleydinkins5112]

Luv it

[@Dj_rueboi]

The 202 now comes with serato pro, 3 months BPM and ?(i forgot)

[@descry1]

in the US, the DJ-202 comes with Serato DJ Pro and 3 mo of BPM Supreme.

[@miguelmarquez7505]

Plus tutorials

[@bboymac84]

You can even plug your 202 to the wall via usb and drum beats with no computer!!! Game changer!!!

[@jnd2415]

Mac Joseph We get it, you don’t like laptops.

[@infesticon]

505 is so close to being just the thing, If some one could make one with a midi mode where I can just send midi messages to things with the dj controller,

[@vinngrizzle]

Any help 202 works no jogwheel my drivers installed. Its listed in dj program help plz

[@CZARAIR45]

vincent grizanti were you able to fix the problem?

[@sc0llay]

DDJ-SR?...

[@arich9124]

It's a pity they make these things look like kids toys

[@AveMcree]

Iamyouonlydifferent 😂exactly

[@Justicefu]

it looks like a cockpit for a space ship that's powered by LSD