(cough cough) I already searched Pulse Not much has been said about Final Scratch. Why? I know most of you have cdj's but I'm sure some of you still have tt's right? I've got the Pioneer DJM 600 and that has helped me a ton. But I don't have cdjs. I love being able to carry my entire library anywhere I go so I can lay down any genre within seconds. Being a mobile DJ, this helps when my customers can stand right there and see exactly what I have of (fill in artist). And then the look on their face when I mix it in before they really walk away. (Most people stand and look at my gear for a while...nobody has really seen turntables in a while, let alone a mobile DJ using a laptop and the turntables together.)

I'm mean seriously, do not that many of you use Final Scratch?? I know I sound puzzled, and I shouldn't be. I only know of 3 other DJs that use F/S and they aren't even in my city!!! But at the same time I am really amazed with everything about this program. I'd even say my business is set up with this as my foundation. I had a ton of cds but at the same time wanted to spin vinyl. So I started my business (btw Tucson Turntables) and invested in tt's, P/A, DJM 600 and an Apple I Book (supposedly, Apple is more stable than the Linux version of F/S..but whatever I'm not debating, but I did take that in account). But I was lucky to get tons of vinyl from relatives so I usually get the first hour done with actual vinyl then I go into F/S and have the option to go back whenever I need.

So please respond...even if you don't have F/S, I'd like to know what everybody thinks about it?

I think its ok. I used it a few times. I am just not down with the DJing with mp3s from your computer deal. I rather have records or CDs with me. Plus, what happens if your laptop crashes in the middle of a set.

Not for me

The Apple version of Traktor FS has been nothing but a huge bug. There are plenty of issues with drivers not working correctly and as OSX is updated, the drivers start to fail. Heck, 1.1.X wouldn't even run on OSX Panther until the driver update came out, and then it still ran like crap. Now 1.5.4 is out and still people have issues with it. Native Instruments needs to take a serious look at the driver for it overall. I use FS, but I'd prefer to get the S3rato Scratch by R4ne. Having demoed it for a week, it's like apples and oranges.

Doc

Im a huge TFS user.... I have 2 computers strictly for that purpose.

There are pro's and con's (as with anything). I use it with both my cdj1000's and turntables. The only version that I would really support is the new windows version 1.5 which although had minor bug in its initial release (and a few still today), overall... i like it.

It used to crash horribly during a set... now its been usable and has gained a little bit more of my trust.

HOWEVER... there is a new player in town when it comes to that technology... try searching for it.... i have heard great things.

ON A FINAL NOTE:
nothing beats the real thing... real cds, real vinyl. its just (IMHO) more reliable. with a computer... anything can happen.... crash in the middle of your set and all your music is wiped out. I know... you can bring backup vinyl or cd's... BUT I thought the whole point was to eliminate dragging that stuff along.

I use it from time to time .. never had any problems with it (windows).I Incorporate vinyl/cd/mp3 when mixn all the time but I've never ran FS for hours straight . I use it as a tool

Although I never invested in FS the things I liked about it was the capability to beat juggle with copies of the same song on each turntable, but only be required to have one mp3 copy of the actual song. The other thing was being able to have the true vinyl feel again. The only reason I never purchased FS is because when it first came out there were alot of bugs and issues with it and I got the CDJ's instead. By the time the bugs were fixed I was happy with the CDJ's.

think fs is rubbish. it was rushed to market way prematurely and had problems. its still been out for a few yrs and users are still having problems with it. what they forget is that most computer users arent experts and dont have the time or money to dedicate setting up a system like that. hell even something like cubase sx maxed out with vst's automated isn't as volatile as fs.

the only money ill be giving stanton ever is for 680 carts. apart from that i'll wait for serato scratch thanx.

Unexpected shut downs would freak me out. At least with the needles I can keep my records clean and wipe them down right before they're played and the likelyhood of them jumping is reduced. If tape my cords down and keep the crowd away from them I reduce the likelyhood of them being tripped over. But this computer shut down sounds like russian roulette. Sure the crowd will recover from the shut down but if you're playing for a serious hip hop, techno or deep house crowd it can really mess up a set. Plus, you can still have your power cords pulled out and have your needles jump WITH FS too. But don't get me wrong I don't dislike FS I just didn't realize that it could shut down expectantly like that.

It's not the norm for my business. But if it happens I can recover just fine. I do have a computer background so I understand the reasons for any negatives that accure. I've never heard any feedback that talked about a loss of music. I only hear how great my system sounds...the great selection of music...and how amazed they are that I use a laptop and still rock turntables. I'm just saying it's working for me. For me nothing beats dropping an original vinyl for a bride and grooms' first dance, father/daughter, mother/son etc... Its sounds so unique, and then I go into disco or 80's for a while and still be working on turntables.

yep... i understand that anything can happen. however, TFS has had a lot of glitches. not to beat the topic like a dead horse, but numerous users (including myself) have reported a flawless system for weeks and months on end. then all of a sudden... crash right in the middle of a set, sound distortion, etc. etc.

you are probably thinking that I changed some parameter or something that may have caused the problem. nope... my tfs computers are strictly for tfs... i only turn it on for that purpose and rarely to i mess with any of its parameters just for that reason....

so maybe i have incompatible hardware... ummm but why the heck did it work for a few months then just decide to one day reboot on me? i will never know. there is nothing more annoying that having a problem once and not being able to recreate it. if a needle is broke... well thats pretty obvious, blown amp? yeah... very easy to fix when you know the problem. with TFS... if you have a problem... about 50% of the time, it cant be recreated. therefore you are stuck just wondering "hmmmm, is today gonna be the day this thing decides to stall, reboot, have distortion, etc?"

i wouldn't risk it... therefore... thats why i bring backup.