X-Session Pro - swap knobs to get centre notch on all channels?

[tdmusic]

Hi,

Does anyone know if it is possible to swap the knobs around on the X-Session Pro? I use mine for four channels (with volume and EQ on each) and I'd really like to have a center notch on the bottom knob of each channel (so I can easily drop the bass back in to 0db), so I was hoping I might be able to swap the middle two 'mid' EQ knobs (where the notch isn't so important) with the outer two 'bass' EQ knobs.

Is this possible? Is the notch in the top "knob" part of the knob (which I should be able to remove easily), or is it in the actual shaft assembly bit (as shown in http://www.djtechtools.com/forum/att...8&d=1216646662 - I guess this would be pretty difficult to do if that is the case as it'd require soldering etc.)?

I'll give it a go removing the top parts of the knobs tonight if no one knows... I'm not so desperate to do it that I'm going to get the soldering iron out though

Cheers,
Tom

[Str8upDrew]

You could just map it backwards, like
High
Low
Mid

[djelton]

Or use it backwards? Like the faders are up and Eq is in the bottom half?:P

[tdmusic]

Ha. Might not have explained myself too well, the issue is that the layout of the knobs is as follows, where Y means that the knob has a center indent/notch, and N means it hasn't:

1 2 3 4

N Y Y N
N Y Y N
N Y Y N

So the middle two channels (2 & 3) have indents on all EQs and the outer two (1 & 4 don't on any). I was hoping to change it to:

1 2 3 4

N Y Y N
N N N N
Y Y Y Y

So every channel has a notch on the low EQ (as I find this is where it matters most). No idea if it's possible or not though, anyone know if rotary encoders with a centre notch have the notch as part of the mechanism or if it's part of the knob bit?

[TABS]

the "notch" is part of the potentiometer. you would have to solder new potentiometers on.

[Fatlimey]

The notches are called "detents" in the electronics industry, and they're just a small plastic ring of bumps that are added to the internals of a rotary POT to give you the feel you're looking for.

So there's three ways of solving this, in order of riskiness from least to most risky:

1. Buy some rotary POTs with the same specifications as the ones in the XSession but with a center detent. Desolder the POTs and replace with the new ones.
2. Desolder the POTs you have and move them around, resolder in the correct locations.
3. Disassemble the pots you have and move the detent ring to the correct locations, reassemble the POT.

The ALPS RK-series potentiometers come with center detents available:

http://www.potentiometers.com/alps_rotary.cfm

Here's a look inside some rotary encoders, which have much the same mechanism as the rotary pots:

http://www.ecstaticlyrics.com/music/...l_knob_repair/

[bumtsch]

Hey there, I was interested in modding my x-session pro this way as well.
Here are the ALPS references I came up with after researching the subject if you want drop-in replacements.

the whole family:
http://www.alps.com/WebObjects/catal...K09K_list.html

pot w/ detent & 30mm length:
http://www.alps.com/WebObjects/catal...9D113000F.html

[tdmusic]

Thanks all, very useful info there. I thought it might be the case that it was part of the POT.

I've not done any soldering since I was in school so probably will leave it, but just out of interest, is there anywhere where I can get those POTs in quantities of less than 2,000 in the UK?!

My other idea was to do something like: remove the top of the knob, put a small blob of glue/something similar on the controller at 12 o'clock, and also put a small blob on the knob directly under the line, and then (with some sanding down/whatever) hopefully I'd be able to get the two blobs to rub together causing a bit of friction around 12 o'clock. No idea how well that'd work but I might as well give it a go as I can always remove the glue!

Cheers,
Tom

[CerebralExcretion]

is there anywhere where I can get those POTs in quantities of less than 2,000 in the UK?

mouser.com and probably maplin.com