DJ'ing exclusively in the box (and some of the problems that arise)

I dont DJ that often any more, and even though my last really active year was 2005, it still feels as if I spent a lifetime playing records. In any case, when I do DJ (most often doing a mix for the vocode project), I do it almost 100% in the box. By that I mean, I use software exclusively - no control CDs/vinyl, no controller, no midi, just the software program. Once you assign quick keys on the laptop, the only thing you wind up missing really is knob twistin'. But the one item that drives me crazy about this set up is the problem tracks. Those are the tracks that drift by design from the producer, so you can't set up a rigid beat structure. I mostly do breaks and electro mixes anyway, so the grid is often effed up, but I usually nail it... I've got one of those tracks right now and I'm just about ready to can it out of the mix after spending so much time trying to nail it. with turntables and vinyl, you could ride the pitch. In fact, back in the day before DJing became as easy to do as it is now, one of the signs of a true-school DJ was someone who could ride both pitches and keep old disco records in the mix (with two live drummers drifting) - ah.... those were the days :) Related:  Prepping files for different beat grid factors and anomolies