Setup

Licensing & software

A Serato Sample licence or subscription is required to use SLAB with the plug-in.
You can get a licence or start a subscription here:
https://serato.com/sample/pricing

Make sure you have the latest version of Serato Sample installed before connecting SLAB.

• Download Sample

SLAB is supported in Serato Sample 2.2.0 and later. It will not connect to earlier versions of the plug-in.

Drivers & Firmware

SLAB does not require additional drivers on Windows or macOS.

Ensure your unit is running firmware 1.10 or higher to connect to Serato Sample.

To check your firmware version:
Hold STRIP MODE to open the Utility screen. The firmware version will be displayed.

When SLAB is connected with Serato Sample open, you’ll be prompted to install the latest firmware if an update is available. You can also download firmware manually from AlphaTheta’s website:

• AlphaTheta SLAB Downloads

Connection

Connect the supplied USB-C cable from the back of SLAB to a spare USB port on your computer.
Once connected, Serato Sample will recognise the device. If a firmware update is required, you’ll be prompted before continuing.

For best performance, connect SLAB directly to your computer rather than through a USB hub.

Take Control Button

When SLAB is connected, Serato Sample displays a Take Control button. This button lets you choose which instance of the plug-in SLAB is controlling.

Click Take Control on the instance you want to use, and the button will light up to show SLAB is actively assigned to it. If you have multiple Sample instances loaded, only one can be controlled by SLAB at a time. 

If the Take Control button is not lit, that instance will not respond to SLAB's controls.

Note: If required, ensure your DAW track/channel is armed for recording so MIDI messages from the pads are sent to the plug-in, and use Take Control to assign full hardware control to that Sample instance.

This ensures both MIDI input and hardware parameter control work together as expected.

Plug-In Format

For the best experience, use the same plug-in format (VST3, AU or AAX) for all instances of Serato Sample in your project. Avoid switching between formats.

Sticking to one format ensures SLAB connects consistently and prevents unexpected behaviour when moving control between plug-in instances.

If your DAW allows multiple formats, choose one at the start of your project and keep everything aligned.

Overview

Note: Play and Record controls

The PLAY and RECORD buttons on SLAB are not natively mapped in Serato Sample. They are standard MIDI functions that you can assign to transport controls in your chosen DAW using MIDI learn or control surface settings.

These buttons use standard Mackie Control transport messages for Play and Record, so DAWs that support Mackie Control can recognise and map them to their transport functions once configured.

Touch Strip

The Touch Strip provides quick control over filtering, pad levels, and Note Repeat. 

Press STRIP MODE to cycle through functions, and use the strip to adjust the selected parameter

Encoder Modes

Press ENCODER MODE to switch between Stems and Parameters. Each mode changes what the 4 encoder knobs control, depending on whether you’re in Deck mode or Pad mode. The display shows the currently assigned mode.

Press SHIFT + ENCODER MODE to toggle between the Deck and Pad layers.

Stems Mode

Parameter Mode

Dial Section

The Dial section gives you hands-on control of your sample. 

Press DIAL MODE to cycle between Deck Scrub and Slice Edit, letting you scrub through the sample or adjust slice points. 

Press FOCUS to place the dial in Focus Mode.

Deck Scrub Mode

Slice Edit

Focus

Pad Section Overview

Selecting Pad Modes

Press a Pad Mode button to switch the pads into that mode.
For Serato Sample, the available modes are Trigger and Piano.

TRIGGER MODE:

Press TRIGGER MODE to enter Trigger Mode. Pressing the button again toggles between Hold playback (Cue plays only while held) and Trigger playback (Cues will continue to play until the end of the Cue length).

The pads trigger the assigned cues in Serato Sample.

Use OCTAVE - to access Cues 1-16, and OCTAVE + to access Cues 17–32.

PIANO MODE:

Press PIANO MODE to enter Piano Mode.

The pads play the selected Cue across a range of pitched notes, allowing melodic or tonal playback.

Use OCTAVE + and OCTAVE - to shift the playable range up or down.

App Control Section

AUTO SET

Press AUTO SET to automatically detect cue points in the loaded sample and populate the pads.

You can keep pressing AUTO SET to look for alternative cue placements. Each press repopulates all pads except those marked as Favourites.

Press SHIFT + AUTO SET to switch between different Autoset modes.

FAVOURITE

Press FAVOURITE to mark the currently selected pad as a favourite. This applies a star indicator to quickly identify and lock preferred cues.

Press SHIFT + FAVOURITE to toggle between MONO and POLY playback modes.

OCTAVE -/+ Buttons

Press OCTAVE -/+ while in Trigger Mode to change the cue range the pads control.

• OCTAVE - selects Cues 1–16

• OCTAVE + selects Cues 17–32

Press OCTAVE -/+ while in Piano Mode to shift the playable note range up or down.

DELETE

Press and hold DELETE, then press a pad to remove its assigned cue. This clears the Pad's cue and frees it for a new assignment.

SELECT ALL

Press SELECT ALL to select all pads.
Press it again while all pads are selected to deselect them. This is useful for batch actions such as favouriting or editing multiple pads.

NOTE REPEAT

Press and hold NOTE REPEAT to activate Note Repeat. When active, holding a pad retriggers it rhythmically based on the current Repeat Rate.

To change the Note Repeat Rate:

1. Hold the NOTE REPEAT button.

2. Turn Encoder 1.

The current rate is shown when holding NOTE REPEAT and touching Encoder 1.

Press SHIFT + NOTE REPEAT to enable Hold mode, keeping Note Repeat active without holding the button.