Here are my opinions on the subject:

a) I've heard PVD use FS one time, and it was absolutely awesome. The stuff he mixed in just couldn't be done by mere mortals using vinyl. I heard him another time and the sound quality totally sucked - we couldn't even tell what he was spinning sometimes. It was at Space in Miami, so we know the sound system rocks, and the DJs before and after sounded great. Apparently there is an issue with the actual hardware (the circular amp) that FS uses that can cause it to interfere with the phono outputs causing distortion/ balance issues under certain circumstances. My techie friends tell me that they don't know what causes it, but it appears and disappears on its own and at Space, it caused a huge problem. If PVD and the techs at Space can't fix it, it is a bigger issue than I personally want to deal with.

b) the New Rane Serato Scratch system uses different components to help on the hardware side of things. The reviews I have heard have made it sound like a better hardware set-up.

c) until a month ago, Final Scratch had to run on a Linux platform on a PC... that meant having two operating systems installed (if you also use Windows) and it is essentially unstable. I know a lot of people who refer to it as "FInal Crash" - and nothing is more death to a DJ than dead air while you reboot your laptop. The newest version (released in March) runs on XP, but I have yet to read any reviews.

d) Both verions now allow you to use CDs instead of vinyl, if you prefer one over the other (CDs are included with the Rane system, you need to buy them as extra with FS.)

e) If you are running your turntables through the FS amp, you cannot also play normal vinyl. Tiesto would tell you the story of playing at Gatecrasher right after PVD and just putting his vinyl for Traffic on the turntable. They actually had to stop the song half-way through because it sounded so bad... they had forgotten to unplug PVDs FS amp. (technically, it is the same as plugging a turntable into a "line-in" jack instead of a "phono-in") Tiesto was apparently very pissed.

f) If you plan on playing in a club - or anywhere with a good sound system, most MP3s aint going to cut it. PVD and the pros use the original quality Wav files (or their Apple equivalents). They are huge in size though. They buy vinyl or CDs and make a direct transfer... or they download high quality (purchased) sound files from stores such at Toronto's own Release Records that sell trance and other electronic files via download online

g) the debate on vinyl vs. digital continues. From what i read, most people would say that brand-spanking new vinyl does actually sound better. After 4 (count 'em four) plays, they grooves degrade to a point where the digital files start gaining on 'em.

h) err... that's it. Can you tell I've been doing some research.

I decided to buy the Rane system - specifically because of hardware complaints and the crashing of FS. It's about $150 more though, so you may want to do your own research.

I embrace technology in every part of my life... why would DJing be any different. Otherwise, we'd be sendign each other postcards written on parchment with quills. The world evolves and we evolve with it. (or get left behind.)

Chris

personal preference is that i would rather switch vinyls or cds after every mix rather than have the same two vinyl/cds sitting on/in the players and having to occasionally turn them over just to find time requirements and only do the controling from a laptop... this is if i havent got the idea of final scracth wrong....