The Roland DJ-202 comes equipped with the same great classic TR-808 and TR-909 sounds as the Roland DJ-808 and DJ-505, but does not have a dedicated sequencer hardware section.

However, you can still achieve much of the same functionality, via it's dedicated Performance Pad modes, which are:

• Sequencer (Press Pad mode button 3 once)
• Pattern (Press Pad mode button 3 while holding SHIFT)
• INST REC (Press Pad mode button 3 twice)
• INST PLAY (Press Pad mode button 3 twice while holding SHIFT)

All of the Pad modes can be used with the built-in TR-808, and TR-909 kits (and eventually the TR-606 and TR-707 in a future firmware update), as well as the Serato DJ and Serato DJ Intro Sampler.

We strongly recommend you use this quick guide, but refer to Roland's DJ-202 User manual for more in-depth information, and for information regarding backing up and restoring Sequencer data, or factory resetting the unit - here.

TR Instrument pad lay-out

Sequencer mode

This mode allows you to edit and record, and then playback step sequences or "patterns" you've created, with the built-in TR kits, or your own samples - by programming up to 16 steps.
Press pad mode button 3 (Sequencer) once, to enter Sequencer mode.

• Press pads 1-16 to enter a step in that sequence, and press them again to clear the step.
• The 'Start/Stop' button allows you to initiate the currently programmed sequence - press it again to terminate it.
• Use the 'Sampler Level' to control the volume of the Sequencer, and the Sequencer 'Cue' to monitor the Sequence before bringing it into the Master mix.
• Use the 'PARAM +' and 'PARAM -' buttons to switch between pads 1-8 or pads 9-16 in the sequence.
• Holding 'SHIFT' while pressing pads 1-16 will allow you to select that instrument in the sequence.
• Pressing 'PARAM +' while holding SHIFT (PARAM 2 +) will load pads 1-8 with the built-in TR sounds.
• Pressing 'PARAM -' while holding SHIFT (PARAM 2 -) will load pads 1-8 with Serato Sampler slots 1-8
  (or Serato DJ Intro Sampler slots 1-4)

16-step pad visual lay-out used in Sequencer mode

Note the pads will stay lit to indicate that step is occupied, and as the sequence commences, you'll notice the pads flash in turn to indicate the current progress of the triggered sequence.

Pattern mode

This mode allows you to select up to 16 pre-recorded (and editable) "patterns", with the built-in TR kits, or your own samples. Patterns in Pattern mode are saved as you edit them, in either Sequencer (step recording) or INST REC (real-time recording) modes.  
Press pad mode button 3 (Sequencer) while holding SHIFT, to enter Pattern mode.

• Press pads 1-8 to select patterns 1-8, and hold SHIFT while pressing a pad to select patterns 9-16.
• The 'Start/Stop' button allows you to initiate the currently selected pattern - press it again to terminate it.
• Use the 'Sampler Level' to control the volume of the Pattern, and the Sequencer 'Cue' to monitor the Pattern before bringing it into the Master mix.
• Hold 'PARAM +' while pressing a pad to 'copy' a pattern, and then release it while pressing a new pad to 'paste' the pattern, onto the new destination pad.
• Hold 'PARAM -' while pressing pads 1-8, to delete the pattern assigned to that pad. Hold 'SHIFT' and 'PARAM -' while pressing a pad to delete patterns assigned to pads 9-16.

Lay-out in Pattern mode

 

Note that choosing a pattern will cause that pattern's respective pad to flash, to indicate that pattern is selected, and after initiating the pattern, the respective pad will stay stay lit - to indicate the pattern is playing.

INST REC mode

In INST REC mode you can record "patterns" or sequences and edit them in real-time - as they play back.
Press pad mode button 3 (Sequencer) twice, to enter INST REC mode.

• Press the 'Start/Stop' button to begin recording and playback, and press it again when you're finished.
• Press pads 1-8, once the sequence has been triggered, to edit the pattern in real-time.
• Use the 'Sampler Level' to control the volume of the sequence, and the Sequencer 'Cue' to monitor the sequence before bringing it into the Master mix.
• Hold 'SHIFT' while pressing 'PARAM -' to switch pads 1-8 to trigger Serato DJ Sampler slots 1-8
  (or pads 1-4 to trigger Serato DJ Intro Sampler slots 1-4)
• Hold 'SHIFT' while pressing 'PARAM +' to switch pads 1-8 to trigger TR Instrument sounds.
• While recording a pattern, hold 'SHIFT' and press pads 1-8 to clear that pad (sound) in the pattern.

Note that during INST REC mode, pads that have been triggered will light up as the pattern plays back.

INST PLAY mode

In INST PLAY mode you can use the performance pads to trigger TR Instrument sounds and change the selected TR Kit.
Press pad mode button 3 (Sequencer) twice, while holding SHIFT, to enter INST PLAY mode.

• Press pads 1-8, to trigger TR Instrument sounds.
• Use the 'Sampler Level' to control the volume of the triggered sounds, and the Sequencer 'Cue' to monitor the sounds before bringing it into the Master mix.
• Hold 'SHIFT' and press pads 1-8 to change the TR Kit that is loaded (this is global and will change the kit for all of TR-based pad modes above).
  

8 kit lay-out selection for INST PLAY mode

Note that when in INST PLAY mode, pads momentarily light up, when triggered.