Any music lover will tell you that DJ controllers are the future of music. It enables the user to mix the music and adjust its settings using pots, encoders, faders, and various other components.
It is all-rounder equipment that comes with all the functionalities of a traditional deck and mixer setup, making it must-have equipment for any established or beginner DJ. Roland is a popular electronic musical instrument, electronic equipment, and software manufacturer.
Based in Japan, the company joined this business in 1972 and has been riding a crest of a wave since then. The company has won millions of users with its durable and advanced products over the years and has made a great name in the music industry. The Roland DJ 808 stands as one of the most successful Roland DJ controllers.
It uses highly advanced technology and combines innovation with portability to offer the best user experience. It comes with four channels, built-in drum sequencing, and the deepest Serato DJ pro-integration and allows for seamless editing and mixing.
If you are new to the music world and want to purchase the Roland DJ 808 controller, read on as we will discuss its common problems and effective workarounds hereinafter. Let’s delve further without any further ado!
Dealing With Roland DJ 808 Problems
Some common problems that you may encounter while using the Roland DJ 808 controller are:
- Crashing With No Output
It is one of the most common problems you will likely face while using the Roland DJ 808 controller. Sometimes, it just crashes out of nowhere for no apparent reason. When this problem occurs, you won’t get any sound from it, and it will stop responding.
Of course, this situation is frustrating for the DJ and can put the entire party down to flames. If you face the crashing issue, consider restarting your Roland DJ 808 controller. This is a pretty straightforward affair and only takes about 20 seconds. However, those 20 seconds can feel like 20 hours if it crashes during a party.
Once done, check to see if it is working normally. Restarting your Roland DJ 808 controller is likely to restore its normal functioning. However, if it does not, you may need to take an extra step and factory reset it. To factory reset your Roland DJ 808 controller, turn it off first.
Then, hold the back button of the browser section and then simultaneously press the power button to turn the power on. The “RST” message will show up on display, indicating that you have factory reset your Roland DJ 808 controller. Now, press the start/stop button on its layout and turn it off again.
That’s it! You have successfully factory reset your DJ controller. The buttons and faders will be working fine as they are supposed to. It is important to note that while factory resetting can fix the crashing issues, you will lose all the settings saved on your Roland DJ 808 controller.
So, consider restarting it first and see whether it resolves the problem. If it does not, factory resetting is your last resort. Having said that, many users stated that the Roland DJ 808 controller does not even power off sometimes.
If you ever find yourself in such a situation, consider taking off the power cable and restarting it that way. That will certainly fix the problem.
If you have tried restarting and resetting and your Roland DJ 808 controller is still crashing, it is time to seek professional help. Consider hiring a technician and ask them to inspect and fix the crashing problem.
- Tracks Freezing
Serato track freezing is another issue that you may encounter while using the Roland DJ 808 controller. It is not a common problem and is limited to only a few units. The simple solution that will help you eliminate the freezing problem is installing a firmware update.
To install the firmware update on your PC, visit Roland’s official website, as the latest version is available there. And yes, make sure that you have a stable internet connection. Consider downloading the authentic firmware version on the manufacturer’s website to avoid headaches later.
It can be found on some other websites as well, but it is not recommended to download it from unauthorized sources. Now, navigate to the product page and look for the latest DJ 808 firmware update. The page has all the instructions regarding the installation process. So, consider referring to this page if you are installing it for the first time.
Now, scroll all the way down until you see the “Download” button. Click on it to proceed with the download. Once you have downloaded the file, locate it in the downloads folder on your PC. You can also drag it to your desktop. It has a BIN file that you will have to install.
Now turn on your Roland DJ 808 controller and enter the system update mode. The display will show a “UPDT” message to indicate that the system update mode has been activated. Now go back to your PC, drag the BIN file and drop it onto the DJ 808 drive icon.
Once done, right-click on the drive icon and choose “Eject DJ 808”. Now, head back to your Roland DJ 808 controller and press the “Clear” button to initiate the system update. It will take a couple of minutes, and you can also see the progress in the meantime.
When the system update is finished, the “FIN” message will appear on display, and the buttons will blink. The next step is to turn off your Roland DJ 808 controller. After installing the update, you can check its version by holding the panel button and simultaneously turning the power back on.
The current firmware version will be shown on display. It is seen that the Roland DJ 808 controller starts showing glitches and behaves weirdly after a firmware update. If that’s the case, consider factory resetting it by following the procedure mentioned above.
After resetting it, you will again need to restart your DJ controller in order to use its features.
- Mapping Issues
Many users have reported midi mapping issues while using the Roland DJ 808 controller. It is a feature that enables you to connect your Roland DJ 808 controller to a PC. It may seem straightforward, but it is not as simple as you think.
The first step to midi map your Roland DJ 808 controller is to launch your Serato software. If you look at the top right corner of your screen, you will see that the Midi mapping is deactivated. To activate it, go to its settings and navigate to “Midi”.
Then, choose your DJ controller’s model and then click on the “Allow Serato hardware remapping” message at the top of your screen. This will activate the Midi mapping function on the Serato software.
Final Thoughts
The Roland DJ 808 controller stands out for its powerful features and intuitive interface. However, its problems can kill all the fun. It may crash, or its track may also freeze sometimes.
Some users have complained about the midi mapping issues as well. We have discussed all the issues and their potential fixes that you can try before visiting a technician.
I have a problem with my 808. When I use my headphones I can hear only the left side. I thought it’s the headphone problem and bought the new ones but it’s not the headphones, it’s the controller. The problem itself was not always there. Just one day it began behaving in a weird way, only left ear. Is there anything you can recommend ?