Serato has quietly—then not so quietly—stepped out from behind the DJ booth and into the beatmaking studio. Teaming up with AlphaTheta (the company behind Pioneer DJ), the company released SLAB, a pad‑focused hardware device designed specifically around Serato Studio’s workflow. It’s small, tactile and priced to tempt DJs who’ve always wanted hands‑on production without the steep learning curve or sticker shock of bigger workstations.
What SLAB is (and what it isn’t)
At a glance SLAB looks like a compact MPC or Maschine: a 4x4 pad grid, a chunky browse dial, a handful of encoders, and a bright multi‑touch screen. The spec highlights from Serato and partner coverage are concrete: a 7‑inch multi‑touch OLED, 16 velocity‑sensitive RGB pads, a five‑inch touch strip for pitch/filters/automation and four touch‑sensitive encoders that Serato bills as the Stems Level controls (drums, bass, melody, vocals). Built‑in processing is designed to keep latency low and to run SLAB‑optimized instrument packs and samples without hauling out a laptop—though how far you can push that standalone promise depends on your workflow.
That last point matters. Serato and some outlets describe SLAB as having the autonomy to play instrument packs and samples without a host computer. Review coverage notes there are practical limits: SLAB connects via USB‑C, lacks a full audio interface or dedicated MIDI DIN outs, and in some use cases you’ll still want a laptop for deep editing, plugin management and final mixdown. In other words, SLAB blurs the line between controller and compact standalone workstation—but it doesn’t entirely replace a desktop rig for more complex production needs.
Hands‑on features that DJ‑minded people will actually use
Where SLAB earns its stripes is workflow. Its UI mirrors Serato Studio’s color‑coded simplicity, so Serato users should feel at home fast. The Stems Level encoders tap into Serato’s stem separation tech, letting you isolate and nudge levels of drums, bass or vocals in realtime—handy for live remixing and on‑the‑fly edits during sets. The pads are set up for finger‑drumming, slicing samples and triggering Pad FX; the dial’s Focus Control allows you to hover over a parameter in Studio (or a plugin) and tweak it directly from the hardware. Serato is also shipping SLAB‑optimized sound packs, so out of the box you have curated content that’s mapped to the device.
A few practical notes from hands‑on coverage: the pads are responsive if not class‑leading, RGB makes quick visual mapping a breeze, and encoders have a satisfying feel. But some reviewers found SLAB’s modes a touch menu‑heavy—different functions for the dial, encoders and touchstrip can require a bit of mode gymnastics until you learn where everything lives. Also, while the hardware supports enhanced features like adjustable aftertouch on paper, Serato Studio’s support for aftertouch was limited at launch—so some capabilities are constrained by current software implementation.
Size, price and positioning
SLAB is unusually portable for something with this feature set—approximately 11.2 x 8.2 x 1.8 inches and about 1kg (2.2 lbs). It’s priced to undercut many of the class giants: around $329 USD / €299 / £259, and it ships with a full Serato Studio license. That price puts it in direct conversation with entry‑level Maschine and MPC controllers, but its tight feature list and DJ heritage position it as the option for Serato users who want a direct bridge into production.
Think of SLAB as a tool for DJs who want to make beats between gigs, producers who love Serato Studio’s sample‑centric workflow, or live performers who need a compact device to chop samples and tweak stems in realtime. It’s less likely to woo plugin‑deep synth heads who need exhaustive parameter control or producers who demand integrated audio I/O and full standalone mixing capabilities.
Where SLAB fits in the broader landscape
The device also nudges at a larger trend: the shrinking gap between DJ performance and live production. Artists increasingly want to remix, resample and create on the fly rather than only play prerecorded sets. SLAB is expressly built for that hybrid life—part performance sidecar, part beatmaker.
If you usually bring a laptop for finishing touches, SLAB still integrates cleanly with that workflow. For travel‑friendly production sessions, pairing SLAB with a lightweight laptop can be compelling—especially if you’re looking for an ultraportable combo instead of a full desktop setup. (If you’re shopping laptops for mobile sessions, see our roundup of MacBook Air deals for options that pair nicely with hardware controllers; many producers also grab compact phones for quick sample capture—see the thin‑and‑long Motorola Edge 70 for ideas.) You can also preview SLAB details and specs at Serato’s official site: Serato.
Who should consider buying it?
Pick SLAB if you:- Already use Serato Studio (or Serato DJ) and want native, plug‑and‑play hardware.
- Value portability and immediate hands‑on control over having every studio input and output.
- Want realtime stem control for remixing, DJ sets or live reworks.
Consider other platforms if you need a full standalone audio interface, deeper plugin mapping across dozens of knobs, or industry‑leading pad feel for hardcore finger‑drummers.
Serato’s SLAB doesn’t try to be everything at once. Instead it takes a clear stance: make Serato Studio tactile, make stem control immediate, and keep it small enough to carry. For DJs leaning into production and producers who like DJ workflows, that’s a useful—and surprisingly affordable—piece of kit.
If you want to see full specs and order one, visit Serato. If you’re thinking about a compact laptop to pair with SLAB for heavier sessions, the new MacBook options are worth a look; many of them are available on Amazon.