Reply to DJing with controllers, Sync and expectations.....

After about a year of rest from the rave and DJ scene, I came back and got myself an S4. With a plethora of music ranging from Prog House, Breaks, to DnB, I decided that I would start making mixes and promote myself to start playing out again. I showed some of my friends my new toy, some of whom had CDJs and was met with a face of unimpressed enthusiasm.

Most of them weren't sure what they were looking at. They saw it as a $900 toy that has way too many buttons for just "normal" mixing. They saw Traktor as another piece of expensive software that had effects and a Sync button.

They kept asking why I wasnt using my other two decks, the sample decks or the other effects (I was only using Beatmasher and Delay sparingly.)

Other comments were "So you just use sync now?". After a few weeks of this I was beginning to feel let down. I have had about seven years of traditional vinyl beatmatching experience, but I was starting to get tired of not being able to lug my gear around in one bag. Thats why I decided on the S4, not because of the effects, the remix decks, the effects, the pretty waveforms, but simply because I have a passion of music that ranges all over the place and I'd like to play it for others.

I personally hate the sync button. Its only as accurate as the beatgrid, and frankly im too lazy to set up a beatgrid for 5k+ tracks of music. I use mixed in key, because of the convenience and because I like to hear a good sounding mix.

I use very few effects unless the mood is right and simply because the reason im playing a track is because it sounds good to begin with.

So, i guess my question is, how would you guys deal with comments and moods like the ones ive described? Am I automatically put into the "He uses a controller, he must Sync his way from 10 to 12 every evening " category now?

Am I obligated to utilize all four track decks with every mix? Should I be using 4 effects every five minutes now?

I know the bar is set kinda high now as far as how a DJs mix should be sounding, with artists using beatmasher every 2 secs, but I personally like to ride the mix and slowly layer tracks throughout the evening , rather than punch people in the face with ear splitting reverb and deafening echos and delays.

Cant I just use the S4 for a simple two track mix?!

Im looking for personal thoughts and actual commentary, not another Sync debate or controllerism vs DJing discussion.