With "Computer Mode" enabled, the SC LIVE 4 can be used as a dedicated DJ software controller for Serato DJ Pro and Virtual DJ. The gamble is of course, whether a four-figure sum is cheap enough to attack that kind of demographic, on gear that doesn’t give the true pro features of equipment just a bit higher up in the range.

They both run the Engine DJ OS, which is the most powerful standalone DJ platform out there by quite a long way – yet their layout is more like club DJ gear, a first for Denon DJ.

The mixer is a club layout, more like the Denon DJ X1850 (and of course all Pioneer DJ gear) than the Prime 4 with its traditional “controller”-style layout. Freedom and portability without the need for a laptop are achievable with the SCLIVE4's built-in wireless networking and independent design. Taking a leaf from sister company Numark’s insanely popular Mixstream Pro all-in-one, the SC Live units have built-in speakers to start your DJ sessions with minimal fuss. With built-in Wi-Fi and lightning-fast onboard song analysis, you can now perform a full DJ set without owning or preparing any music ahead of time. Users have full parameter control over many lighting effects, including colour, intensity and strobe.

By the way, if you’re new to this type of kit and wonder what I mean when I keep mentioning “Engine DJ”, it is the software that powers the unit internally. The good news is that these slots are protected from accidental knocks by the underside of the fixed, tilted 7″ touchscreen; the bad news is that they’re awkward to reach, although you can understand why they had to be moved to here – to accommodate the two speakers (more on those later).We’d go for the SC Live 2 because it has better FX and proper colour coding on the pads, which make a big difference. In addition, there are numerous onboard effects, including four Sweep FX with a dedicated knob on each channel to adjust FX and Filter combinations, and thirteen BPM FX options that can be tailored within the FX Control section, which includes Time/Parameter control, Channel Assignment switch, FX level encoder and illuminated engagement button. Then you export that music to USB or SD card, to take and plug into your unit – hence the fact that these types of DJ systems are often referred to as “standalone”. The Sampler pad mode can now also be accessed by pressing the ROLL pad mode button twice without holding the Shift button.

The 13 BPM FX options can be customized for extra sonic satisfaction using the FX control section which includes a Channel Assignment knob, Time / Parameter control, FX level encoder, and illuminated engagement button. For enhanced performance visuals, the onboard Engine DJ operating system is fully integrated with Engine Lighting. For on-the-fly creative mixing, the 8 Performance Pads on each deck can be used to control Hot Cue, Auto Loop, Manual Loop, Roll, Slicer, and Slicer Loop modes. The FX Select feature introduces a new effect selection menu for both Main and Touch FX, enabling quick and easy effect selection via the touchscreen.Engine systems have by far the best touchscreen implementation on the current crop of DJ gear, from all manufacturers. In addition, the DJ controller is a standalone four-deck system that is powerful, compact, and easy to use, giving the users complete control over their creative expression during live performances. It's a rather mid-range bass and also overall the speakers can be described as "mid-range", almost hollow sounding - but they are quite usable and louder/better sounding than those of the Mixstream Pro for example. Finance is only available to permanent UK residents aged 18+, subject to status, terms and conditions apply.

With the SC LIVE 4's built-in Wi-Fi and lightning-fast onboard song analysis, DJs can now perform a full set without owning or preparing any music ahead of time.

The inMusic Profile is where you can register products, download software titles, and access exclusive content and offers - not just for Denon DJ, but for any brands within the inMusic network! Please note, for PRIME 4 and PRIME 4+, this feature currently only applies to Touch FX, with the Main FX selection menu set to be added in future releases.