Affordable Serato Slab: Tactile Music Creation Arrives

Serato has introduced Slab, a new MIDI controller designed to enhance the user experience within its Serato Studio DAW. This hardware aims to bring the tactile control seen in premium controllers like Native Instruments' Maschine and Ableton's Push to a more accessible price point of $329. Slab's design features a 16-pad grid and encoders, mirroring the aesthetic and layout of Maschine, making it instantly familiar to some users.

The controller prioritizes essential functions, allowing users to sequence beats, play instruments, and browse samples without constant reliance on a computer mouse. Its RGB lighting aids in visual organization of drum hits and samples. While the hardware is constructed from plastic, it offers a solid feel with responsive encoders and buttons. The small screen provides basic visual feedback, but users will still need their computer monitor for detailed work.

Integration with Serato Studio is Slab's main strength, providing direct access to core features and performance effects. However, it omits some advanced functionalities found on higher-end devices, such as an integrated audio interface or MIDI outputs. A notable omission for a 2025 device is the lack of aftertouch support, despite being listed as a feature, which may disappoint some musicians seeking nuanced control.