Serato Debuts 'SLAB' – Its First Dedicated Beatmaking Device

Two of the biggest brands in modern DJing, Serato and AlphaTheta, have teamed up to launch SLAB, the first-ever MIDI pad controller created exclusively with Serato users in mind. The drop builds on a long-established history of collaboration that goes back to the early 2010s, as well as marking the first time Serato has released a piece of hardware made specifically for music creation rather than performance.

Designed to control Serato’s music production software, Serato Studio, SLAB bridges the gap between screen-based, digital beat-making and the tactile feel of hardware production, putting sampling, sequencing, FX control and more at your fingertips. The console is powered by a dedicated processor tuned for low-latency playback, allowing users to run Serato’s instrument packs and sample libraries without needing anything but a laptop. Serato is also launching a set of SLAB-optimized sound packs to accompany the release. And it does so while remaining incredibly portable, featuring a form factor that doesn’t break 12-inches at its largest point (it measures 11.19 x 8.23 x 1.76 inches and weighs just 2.2 pounds).

At the center of the device is a 7-inch multi-touch OLED display that lets users handle sequencing, sampling, waveform editing and mixing. Existing Serato users should find the interface familiar (it’s lifted directly from Serato Studio’s and adapted for hands-on control), but even those new to Serato – whether coming from other ecosystems or entirely new to production – should find using SLAB to be straightforward thanks to its minimal, clean design and color-coded workspace.

SLAB features 16 velocity-sensitive RGB pads to control drums, samples and performance, and a multifunctional dial and macro knobs that let users navigate the instruments library or control FX, stems and parameters within Serato Studio with ease. There’s also as well as a five-inch touch strip for filters, pitch bends, repeats and automation. Additionally, in “MIDI Mode,” SLAB can be used with other MIDI software – it’s not locked just to Serato Studio – and users can map its buttons and dials to control the various elements of their chosen DAWs.

Additionally, SLAB expands creative control with its Stems Level feature, letting users isolate and adjust individual track elements – such as the drums, bass, melody or vocals – using four touch-sensitive encoders. Each stem can be manipulated independently and all of this is done directly from the device without the need to prepare separate stem tracks in advance.

With SLAB, Serato is stepping confidently into the dedicated workstation category dominated by brands like Akai and Native Instruments – but it does so with a workflow rooted firmly in DJ culture. In some ways, SLAB can be seen as a hybrid tool for studio producers who want the immediacy of DJ-style control. Or, indeed, the opposite can be said, too: SLAB is for DJs who want to dabble in production, whether in the studio or in the club, as it provides an opportunity to add live music-making elements into the mix.

SLAB is available now at Serato and AlphaTheta retailers priced at £259 GBP / €299 EUR / $329 USD. The device also unlocks the full version of Serato Studio, which users can access on their laptops whenever SLAB is connected.