AlphaTheta SLAB Music Production Controller for Serato Studio

About: AlphaTheta SLAB Music Production Controller for Serato Studio

AlphaTheta, in collaboration with Serato, introduces SLAB – the first-ever MIDI pad controller that puts Serato Studio’s sampling, sequencing, and performance capabilities directly into your hands. It brings the raw instinct, feel, and speed of beat-making back to its elements. If you make music with Serato, it’s time to unlock a new level of creative potential.

SLAB has been designed as a dedicated controller to enhance the creative power of Serato Studio. As soon as SLAB is plugged in, Serato Studio unlocks in full, for free – putting powerful, hands-on production within everyone’s reach.

Transport section and Focus Control support core production tasks

Think of SLAB’s transport section as the operational core of your music-making process. It brings together essential functions, such as play, record, and seek, and includes a multifunctional dial that enables faster browsing and seeking. You can swiftly locate the phrases you want by scrolling through sampled audio with the dial, which hugely enhances the speed and flexibility of the sampling process. One of the dial’s key features is Focus Control, which you can use to manipulate third-party plugins, such as virtual instruments and effects, directly from SLAB. Simply move the mouse pointer over a parameter on your laptop’s screen and use the dial to control it instantly – there’s no need for manual MIDI mapping. This enables seamless, intuitive sound design and gives you immediate access to critical tools.

• All core controls shared by Serato Studio and other DAWs are integrated for a seamless workflow, from production to performance.
• Clear panel zoning improves visibility, while CDJ-inspired circular buttons for play and record feel familiar.
• A large dial enables quick mode switching for sampling or parameter adjustments – giving you a hands-on experience that blends creation and performance.

OLED display and touch-sensitive encoders for hands-on control

Keep an eye on the OLED display at the top of SLAB to see real-time information on integration status and parameter values in exceptional clarity, even in dark studio environments. You’ll find 4 touch-sensitive encoders at your fingertips, providing direct access to EQs, stems, effects, and parameter controls in Serato Studio. When you touch an encoder (without turning it), the current assignments are shown on the OLED display, enabling you to design sounds faster and with more confidence.

Multicolor LED pads for intuitive, instrument-like performance

SLAB captures every nuance of expression in your performance. Its 16 Performance Pads are highly sensitive, responsive, and tactile, and they feature velocity and aftertouch support. With a single touch of one of 4 dedicated buttons above the pads, you can switch between pad modes, including Pad FX mode, where 4 types of effects are assigned vertically to the pads and up to 4 effects can be layered at the same time. This enables you to apply effects directly during production and hear the changes in real time, expanding your expressive possibilities.

It’s easy to capture and manage sampled material with the vertically arranged application control section, which gives you quick access to features like Auto Set and Favorite. From chopping samples to slicing loops, the intuitive interface boosts your production speed and helps you focus. Together, the pads and application controls create a unified layout that keeps your creativity flowing.

• Control pad, Pad FX, Trigger, and Step Sequencer modes with the highly sensitive and responsive pads.
• Velocity support and adjustable aftertouch help you create dynamic performances.
• LED bars synchronized with the Serato Studio and Sample GUI offer clear visibility so you can easily grasp control states while you’re playing.
• Each 29 x 29 mm pad offers an exceptional feel and responsive touch, capturing every nuance of your performance.

LED long-stroke touch strip brings visibility and expressive control

Use the 130-mm long-stroke touch strip to control a range of parameters such as filter, pitch, FX level, and swing. Its smooth and tactile response is paired with high visibility through RGB indicators to enable precise, fast, and expressive production and performance techniques.

• Precisely control parameters such as filter, pitch, effects level, and swing in real time.
• The high-visibility RGB indicators and ergonomic design naturally guide your fingers for accurate and smooth control.

Precise control with Stems Level

When you use SLAB with compatible Serato software, including Studio, Sample, and DJ Pro, you can finely tune the volume of individual parts in the same track – such as vocals, melody, drums, and bass – via the Stems Level feature. Until now, if you wanted to tweak individual volume levels, you had to prepare separate tracks. But with SLAB’s 4 touch-sensitive encoders, you can do it directly from the hardware. This hands-on control is also a game changer for DJ performances with Serato DJ Pro, enabling precise combinations of EQ and stem adjustments.

Seamless integration with Serato applications for diverse production setups

SLAB also supports Serato Sample and Serato DJ Pro. Thanks to its versatile MIDI mode, you can use your preferred DAW while taking advantage of Serato Sample’s high-quality sampling engine for a smooth production workflow. And if you pair SLAB with Serato DJ Pro, it serves as an Official Serato Accessory (OSA), expanding the expressive possibilities of your DJ performances. From home studios to live stages, SLAB supports creativity across a wide range of scenarios.

• Sample deck: Extract and use up to 16 of the best parts from any sample, with full stem separation. You can adjust the key shift, time stretch, and playback controls for each part.
• Instruments: Includes over 190 expressive instrument sounds – from bass, keyboards, synths, and pads to percussion, guitars, and orchestral tones.
• Step sequencer: Use the built-in step sequencer to intuitively create and edit drum patterns. Adjust step velocity, timing, swing, and grid settings in real time for dynamic, hands-on rhythm programming.
• Project key & BPM sync: Serato Studio automatically detects the key and BPM of your project. Even if you make changes on the fly, all your tracks stay perfectly in sync.
• Key shift & time stretch: Powered by Serato’s high-precision Pitch ’n Time algorithm. Freely adjust the speed and key of a track while maintaining pristine audio quality.
• Keyboard mode: Play any sample like an instrument. Fine tune attack, release, glide, and sustain, with support for both mono and poly voicing. Use Auto Chords to create chord progressions, and Play in Key to make sure every note stays perfectly in tune with your project.
• Automation: Control automation for volume, EQ, Stems, and effects with precision. Add movement and dynamics to your sounds, tracks, and entire arrangements for more expressive music making.
• Effects: Experiment with 42 high-quality effects, including compressors, EQs, reverbs, delays, and flangers. Add the perfect texture and depth to your tracks.

Sleek design turns any location into a studio

SLAB features a compact body smaller than A4/US Letter size, making it easy to carry anywhere and create a comfortable studio environment, whether you’re at home, in a café, or on the go. The 2-tone gray design gives a light, contemporary look while clearly grouping functions for intuitive operation. Familiar elements such as AlphaTheta’s signature circular PLAY/REC buttons, along with the unique illumination bar inspired by sample clips in Serato Studio and Serato Sample, offer an intuitive and engaging user experience for both creation and performance.

The controller also comes with a gray USB Type-C cable that matches the body color. With both straight and L-shaped connectors included, cabling remains neat and flexible, even in tight or space-limited setups.

Specifications

• Compatible applications
  • Serato Studio (DAW)
  • Serato Sample (license needed)
    • 50% off Serato Producer Suite for 3 months – includes Serato Sample and Hex FX VST/AU/AAX plugins
  • Serato DJ Pro (Official Serato Accessory supported)
• Input/Output terminals: 1x USB Type-C port
• Power requirements: DC 5V
• Power consumption: 500 mA
• Tolerable operating temperature: +5 °C – +35 °C (+41 °F – +95 °F)
• Tolerable operating humidity: 5 % – 85 % (no condensation)
• Dimensions (WxDxH): 11.19 x 8.23 x 1.76 inch (284.3 x 209 x 44.6mm)
• Weight: 2.2 lbs. (1kg)

What's in the Box

• 1x Music production controller
• 1x USB cable
• 1x Quick Start Guide