Roland DJ-505From real comments

Verdict distilled from 41 mentions across 13 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment47%
PROS 47%
CONS 53%

Rank based on 41 mentions across 13 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want built-in TR-S drum machine and MIDI groovebox integration for creative mixing
  • You need a compact, portable 2-channel Serato controller
  • You can't afford or find the discontinued DJ-808 and want similar features smaller

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You DJ paid gigs and can't risk mid-set freezing or deck lockups
  • You want tank-like professional build quality (some report a hollow, cheap feel)
  • You need 4 channels or dual USB for back-to-back DJing

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

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1Mid
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Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
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Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
3Premium
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
Best value
4Mid
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Mid
Roland DJ-505
Built-in TR-S Drum MachineCompact, Portable SizeDeep Serato Integration & DVSFreezing and LockupsConfusing Drum Sequencer WorkflowHardware Reliability Issues
Roland DJ-505
Built-in TR-S Drum Machine
Compact, Portable Size
Deep Serato Integration & DVS
Freezing and Lockups
Confusing Drum Sequencer Workflow
Hardware Reliability Issues

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

The built-in TR-S drum machine is the standout creative feature. Multiple users say the drum machine alone sold them on the unit over competitors like the Numark NS7, letting them sequence patterns, finger-drum live, hook up external gear like TR-909s and grooveboxes via MIDI, and remix acapellas or tracks with added percussion. Owners describe endless creative possibilities pairing it with Ableton or standalone drum machines, calling it easier to use than the DJ-808's version.

Freezing and lockups are a serious, recurring reliability concern. Numerous owners report decks freezing mid-mix or mid-gig, sometimes for 30+ minutes, forcing full restarts even after changing laptops, reinstalling Serato, drivers, and cables. Some claim online sources point to an unfixable internal glitch. Several users abandoned the controller entirely for Pioneer alternatives after repeated failures, including one who returned a jog-wheel-faulty unit four times.

Build quality and pad/fader ergonomics draw mixed reactions. Some users feel the DJ-505 feels like an empty shoebox compared to tank-built rivals for the price, and performance pads can be unresponsive or need hard pressing on one deck versus the other. Others complain about long pitch faders lacking play-position indicators, tiny performance pads, and difficult-to-remove knob caps, though many say it still packs a punch for its smaller size.

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