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Dubfire is a true dance music veteran. As part of Deep Dish, Ali Shirazinia conquered dance floors and radio waves across the world, remixing everyone from BT and Michael Jackson to The Rolling Stones and Justin Timberlake and claiming their fair share of Grammy nominations.

As a solo artist, his success has been no less remarkable, playing in some of the world's biggest clubs, remixing Plastikman, Axwell and Booka Shade, starting and releasing on his own label, SCI + TEC, and winning multiple awards including Beatport's Best Minimal and Best Techno artist. On top of his success as an artist, Dubfire also pushes technology in his DJ sets, testing Native Instruments' X1 and S4 controllers long before they hit the market and incorporating Maschine and even TouchOSC into his shows. We grabbed him backstage at one of his shows for a chat about all things technology.

First thing's first, tell us about your live setup.

"I use Native Instruments' Traktor on a 17" MacBook Pro, using two X1s as controllers. I run Ableton Live and Maschine on a separate 13" MacBook and I use a TouchOSC template to control both. I also use a Roland Space Echo RE-201 pedal for some added tape delay effects.

"So in total, I've got six different channels going on an Allen & Heath XONE:92 mixer and yes, at times it does my head in!"

You're a big Traktor fan - when did you make the move and why?

"I don't recall the actual year but it was a long time ago. I had been using Serato up until that time but felt very limited by its lack of features and the poor sound quality of their audio interface. Not to mention that they had very limited artist relations with DJs like me who were more involved in the Electronic underground circles.

"They seemed to make hip-hop and mash-up DJs more of a priority, which is fine but that didn't work for me. The staff at Native Instruments have been nothing short of amazing in making me feel involved in the continued evolution of their software and hardware."

You said you use TouchOSC – do you think the iPad has a big part of the future of DJing?

"Very much so. Especially in terms of how you can create fully customisable templates for TouchOSC as well as the general use of the iPad's multi-touch display – you are no longer limited by hardware design. And I'm sure by now everyone has seen the token multi-touch display video demo online so I'm salivating at what could be in store for us just around the corner!"

You were one of the fi rst DJs to use Native's S4 - what is it you like about it?

"I've only really used the prototype and once live at Space in Ibiza where we filmed it in action for the teaser video. I do like it - it's an all-in-one unit that will eliminate the need to carry all but your laptop, a USB cable and an RCA cable. It is absolutely ideal for some people.

"Whether it's right for me per se, remains to be seen but it is a fantastic new tool - especially used with the new Traktor update and control of the sample decks."

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