Last year, Roland showed that they’ve fully embraced their role in jumpstarting dance music, and released the DJ-808, a fully functional Serato DJ controller with a drum sequencer characteristic of the original TR-808 attached to the top.

According to DJ TechTools, The DJ-505 aims to be a two-channel version of the landmark DJ-808, while the new DJ-202 is aimed at being a two channel Serato Intro controller akin to Pioneer’s DDJ-SB2 but with added sequencing capability. The built-in drum kits on these two controllers use advanced Analog Circuit Behavior (ACB) technology to realize a smooth sequencing experience for the user.

Replacing a relationship 

Serato has experienced a gradual shift away from in what was once a steady relationship with Pioneer and the DDJ-R line of controllers. However, with Pioneer focusing on Rekordbox DJ, it is clear that Roland is picking up where Pioneer left off, but in a manner more true to their own brand.

While Pioneer DJ is mostly known for their industry standard NXS line of CDJ/XDJ and DJM devices, Roland is mostly known for their aforementioned pioneering work in sequencing. While it took the Japanese manufacturer some time to get involved in digital DJing, the follow up release to the DJ-808 shows that they are fully committed to providing a successful addition to the DJ controller lineup.

Roland has not released pricing information for the DJ-505 or DJ-202 at this time. Find technical specs for both pieces of equipment below.

DJ-505 Features

sequencer specific

• Classic 16-step sequencer that can trigger either TR drum sounds or Serato’s Sampler, with new features including nudge (TR-S), step-roll, and instrument/sample mute.
• Built in, editable drum kits straight from the TR-808, TR-909, TTR-606, and TR-707.
• The TR kits contain eight drum sounds – bass drum, snare drum, closed hat, open hat, tom-tom, rim, clap, and ride. All of these can be played on the performance pads or triggered from the sequencer.
• Real time shaping of samples with Level, Attack, Decay, and Tune knobs.

other notes

• Two channels with deck select up to four decks
• Eight pads with 6 modes: Hot Cue, Roll, Slicer, TR, Pattern, and Sampler
• Large plates optimized for scratching with low-latency.
• Mixer can be used standalone
• Serato DVS Upgrade Ready
• Balanced XLR output, Booth Out, 1/4-inch and 1/8-inch headphone outputs.
• Mic input with reverb, gate, hi-pass filter, and echo FX.
• MIDI output for external device and sequencer support

DJ-202 Features

• Two-channel controller
• Low latency, large platters optimized for scratching
• Built in drum kits like the 505
• Sequencer, but can only be used with the eight performance pads (aka no TR style sequencer up top)
• Independent sampler volume control
• MIDI output same as 505
• Same features on the mic input
• 24-bit/48 kHz audio fidelity
• high-resolution digitial-to-analog converters (DAC).
• Compact with easy-grab handles for portability.
• RCA stereo outputs (No XLR or 1/4-inch).
• USB powered

Source: DJ TechTools

“Ragdoll” begins with the type of intro Kirkwood has become known for. A deep combination of kick and bass with a long release reminds the listener of warehouse-worthy hard techno. A vocal chop leads into the atmospheric, percussion-heavy break, which still maintains a trance-appropriate anticipation. A snare build with an ascending filter then tails off into a heavy drop driven by tech stabs, with just enough complex percussion to keep any techno fan happy.

Joining the ranks

Stephen Kirkwood has been combining techno and trance sounds for the better part of a decade. By the time his first big release came out in late 2010 on Spinnin’ Records sublabel Reset Records, he was already impressing the tech-trance world at events like Goodgrief XTRA HARD, as well as the techno scene under his darker techno alias Stephan Woods.

After releases on Lange Recordings, RAM’s Grotesque outlet, and several charting releases on Mark Sherry’s Outburst Records, Kirkwood seems to be joining the ranks of the tech trance greats. In 2015, he launched SKapade Studios with longtime friend Steven Galloni in order to instruct and guide budding producers worldwide. The music studio and school has gained a lot of traction in the years since, and has been joined by the likes of 2nd Phase as well as other talented Scottish producers and engineers.

John O’ Callaghan’s Subculture and Bryan Kearney’s justly named Kearnage, both under the Black Hole Recordings outlet, have established themselves as two of the elite labels for uplifting and tech trance. Signing to one – and especially both – has proven a good indicator of future success in the the trance underground.

Stephen Kirkwood will resume touring with a performance at Pulse in Glasgow, Scotland on September 9th.

The first day of the reveal campaign announced that Gaia, Armin van Buuren’s project with Benno de Goeij, would be on the roster. Whereas van Buuren currently plays primarily mainstream EDM, the music of Gaia centers around faster and more uplifting styles of trance. Although de Goeij and van Buuren have been producing under the Gaia alias since 2009 with the release of “Tuvan,” they did not play their first live set until A State of Trance 650 at Ultra Music Festival 2014.

Since then, the Gaia live set has continued to be a rare occurrence, and is thus always an announcement eliciting large amounts of excitement. This time was no different.

The second, third, and fourth days revealed a more obscure roster, including a plethora of artists from several major subgenres of trance. Anjuna fans will be happy to see the likes of Alpha 9, Andrew Bayer, Ilan Bluestone, Jason Ross and Sunny Lax join the list, while hard trance fans will be treated to Sean Tyas, Greg Downey, Shugz, and Jordan Suckley. Suckley will also be debuting his new 3Fect artist project, which he describes as “Live Mashups, FX, Scratching & Futuristic Turntablism! (sic)” Suckley has been releasing live videos of himself practicing scratching and live mashups on Facebook, which is telling for what’s in store.

“Pure trance” will be on full display at Dreamstate, with artists like Solarstone, who spearheaded the movement with the support of Giuseppe Ottaviani, along with Robert Nickson and the legendary Orkidea joining the bill. Along with Orkidea, other classic-tier trance artists on the lineup include Judge Jules, Paul Oakenfold, and Kristina Sky. Marco V has also been a recent source of conversation amongst trance fans around the world. Amongst a massive return of artists who once left trance music to pursue other, more marketable genres of music, Marco V has done so with a uniquely respectable approach; the Dutch DJ and producer has released a steady stream of raw, unadulterated tech trance.

Also announced were a few rare side projects including Key4050, the hard tech trance brainchild of John O’Callaghan and Bryan Kearney, as well as The Thrillseekers pres Hydra. The Hydra alias was responsible for the classic trance-inspired hit “Amber,” released on Future Sound of Egypt last year. MaRLo will be showcasing his signature “tech energy” style, which usually leaves the Australian playing dark and deep tech trance, while still infusing his well–known, room-filling sound.

There are a few trends that the Dreamstate team have picked up on, and it shows in their bookings. For example, various forms of psytrance (such as full-on and progressive) have become increasingly popular over the last two years. Organizers responded with their fifth day announcement, revealing 18 respected artists from various regions of the psy spectrum. The outfit who have arguably benefited most from the recent psy surge are Vini Vici, who will be in attendance along with other well known psy acts such as Liquid Soul, RITMO, and Ace Ventura.

This was unsurprising to many though, as Iboga Records had leaked this particular announcement a few days prior on Instagram, which was spread about social media quickly afterwards.

Psy lineup

TRANCE DESTINATION

Until 2015, an American hoping to attend a trance-centered festival had to look abroad. It was this situation that allowed Dreamstate, Insomniac’s former EDC trance stage turned festival, to become the only trance-focused massive in the US.

The result of the November 2015 debut of the brand in SoCal was more than a night of uplifting melodies and euphoria for those in attendance. It was largely seen by the American trance community as an overwhelming success, and thus presented Insomniac with a unique opportunity.  

A massive effort was put forth over the next two years to expand the Dreamstate brand outside of southern California, and recently outside the states all together. Such expansion projects gave rise to Dreamstate Mexico, Dreamstate UK, and most recently, a US-wide tour featuring Paul van Dyk. The business model has not been unilaterally embraced by trance fans, with some claiming that the expansion diluted the brand.

The six days of lineup announcements concluded with the revelation that Armin van Buuren would also perform solo – a development met with mixed feelings by trance fans given the Dutch icon’s main stage leanings in recent years.

Dreamstate SoCal will take place at the National Orange Show Event Center in San Bernardino, California on November 24th and 25th. Find the list of artists organized by primary and secondary genres below. 

Dreamstate SoCal 2017:
Each artist’s secondary trance subgenres noted in italics

Big room trance:

• Andrew Rayel
  
• Armin van Buuren
• ATB
• David Gravell
• KhoMha
• Orjan Nilsen
• Ruben de Ronde

Classic trance:

• Judge Jules (Classics)
• Paul Oakenfold (uplifting, big room)
• Rank 1 (Live)
• Real Trance Family
• The Thrillseekers Pres. Hydra (uplifting, progressive)

Hard trance:

• John O’Callaghan & Bryan Kearney pres. Key4050
• Jordan Suckley (tech, psy)
• Jordan Suckley pres. 3Fect
• Sam Jones B2B UCast (tech, psy)
• Sean Tyas (tech, psy)

Progressive, vocal trance:

• Alpha 9
• Andrew Bayer
• Ben Gold (uplifting, big room)
• Ilan Bluestone
• Jason Ross
• Roger Shah
• Sunny Lax

Psytrance:

• Ace Ventura
• Alpha Portal
• Astrix
• Avalon
• Barakuda
• Blastoyz
• BLiSS
• Captain Hook
• Coming Soon!!!
• Emok
• Future Frequency
• Khromata
• Liquid Soul
• Neelix
• Outsiders
• RITMO
• Sonic Species
• Symbolic
• Vini Vici

Pure trance:

• Aeon Presented by Paul van Dyk
• Gaia (uplifting, classic)
• Orkidea (uplifting, classic)
• Robert Nickson
• Solarstone

Tech trance:

• Greg Downey (uplifting)
• John Askew (uplifting)
• MaRLo (Tech Energy Set) (big room, progressive)
• Marco V
• Mauro Picotto
• Shugz (hard)

Uplifting trance:

• Alex M.O.R.P.H. (tech, psy)
• Bryan Kearney (tech)
• Cold Blue
• Daniel Skyver (tech)
• Factor B (progressive, pure)
• Fady & Mina
• Ferry Tayle
• Giuseppe Ottaviani Live 2.0 (tech)
• John O’Callaghan
• Kristina Sky
• Manuel le Saux (tech)
• Menno de Jong (tech)
• Sied van Riel (tech, pure)
• Simon O’Shine
• Stoneface & Terminal (progressive)
• Thomas Datt (progressive, psy)