The only bad thing is the software. Now I know why U get torq for free when U buy xponent. Its so crappy, they cant get anyone to pay for it!
Everytime I used loop and effect at the same time it crashed. Thats no good if you got like 2-300 clubbers in front of U.

I use virtual dj for software now, done about 30 gigs with it and it worked perfect (traktor is ok too).
I run the sound true a 2 line+mic in/2 out routmixer to fix the lack of microfon and input for backup music (ipod).
Some folks think it too expensive, well thats probably cause the dont make any money on their dj-ing ;)

One of the best things about it is the quality of the sound. Tested it along with a bcd 3000 and a hercules, and its easy to hear why M-audio are so big on digital sound. The impovement were really great with the xponent.

I tried four different hardware and software and xponent + vitual dj is my favorit choice.

First some background, having decided to move from CDs to a digital format I tried a BCD 2000. Wow this sucked the Xylo software failed on a regular basis and I thought the crowd would kill me. Next I thought ok lets try the BCD 3000. Major improvement now running traktor software. However the LE version left me cold so I upgraded to the full version. The microphone never worked either unless no track was loaded into the DECK.

Then I thought what’s better than this?

My criteria is I don’t want to mess about with external sound cards and headphone jacks.

That excluded the VESTAX, however I do run a lexicon sound card for DIGITAL Karaoke.

So I buy an Xponent RRP in Australia only $995. Interesting piece of kit does it work yeah kind of after to you ditch 64 Bit Vista and go back to XP.

First GIG

I plugged it all in and then nothing happens screen simply says xponent not connected – shit – no time to work it out back to the BCD 3000.

Finally figured it out the software and hardware will only reconnect to the first USB port you originally connected to! What bright spark thought of this!!!!

Important safety tip that one.

GIG No 2

I set it up the gear connect external HDD drive start torq then the laptop and the HDD want to talk to each other. This causes the music to reloop at 4 beats over and over!

Great stuff this time I have my CDs and CDJ 100s as a back up. Never the less this piece of expensive shit will work so help me!

Ok the Ext HDD finally decides to let me access tracks and the music starts to run. I wipe the sweet off my head and thank god.

Am I finally in the clear ummmm NO the Torq software decides to crash for no apparent reason!!! Oh joy the music stops again as does the dance floor, although some chick keeps wanting to talk to me FFS!!!

Comments here about lack of mic input this would not have been of any help as the software crashed, for me that was ok as I take a mixer to plug the xponent into.

I get torq restarted and it settles down. Ok this is it the world is good I a get a cold glass of water from the bar to settle me down.

Now I start looking up the next tracks but torq has other ideas, looking quickly at the data base file and your fav folders causes the music to drop out for a fraction of a second. Can it get any worse??

Another important safetly tip.

After 4 drop outs I have it worked out. The final 3 hours of the gig went fine. I even built up the courage to loop a couple of tracks. My thought was if it’s working at the moment don’t F$%K with it.

Do I trust the torq software in a word NO NO and NO I’d rather use Traktor, where I have never had these drop out problems.

The unit itself is fine but the headphone cue buttons could be better located on the deck.

It has enough shiny bits to do a gig for me, however I’m more focused reliability.

I earn a living from DJing so this is not the same as someone playing around at home who might have time to fault find with every little problem. It’s important to me for things to work first time everytime.

Is it a Toy? No it’s not a toy it is a MIDI controller is it as good as CDs?

Well I’ve not encounted the same problems with CDS unless a laser is getting tired or the CD is wearing/scratched. Which is the reason I switched.

I would think that CDs in the next few years will be like vinyl is today. Only hard core DJs will persist.

My MP3s are recorded at either 224 or 320 KBS which make it sound pretty good.

Will I go back to CDs hell no I’m sick of lugging cases of cds having CD lost or stolen at gigs or getting scratched.

What I would like is something that could simply plug straight into the amp with all software inbuilt with a 500 gig HDD.

I don’t care so much about running other apps on a laptop when I’m working.

I’d prefer to simply have LCD monitor over a laptop. But that would be a perfect world…

Who knows they might even include a mic input but that’s another story.