M-Audio X-Session Pro crossed with a midi fighter? is this possible?
I was wondering if anyone has looked into or has actually created a controller by merging a M-Audio X-Session Pro and a midi fighter. I guess you would have to take them apart, and have a box with two separate circuit boards in it. If anyone has any input on it it would be great, because I was thinking of trying it. thanks a ton.
Can be done, although you may have to buy a USB hub. But there’d be 4 boards in the case (2 X-Sessions + 2 MidiFighters = 4 ports!). . .That may be a problem with drain from your laptop if you’re doing a gig without the battery, especially if your going through 1 USB, and your limited with the USB ports on your laptop already. I’d go powered hub if that’s the case, and dropout should not be an issue, but always check your ports.
For the custom case, you could try going to Ponoko.com and creating a similar box straight out of the gate. Some of the files for an MF is stickied somewhere in the forums.
If you have CAD programs, and are competent in your engineering skills, I’d say go for it, and keep us updated!
I’m behind on my own MF case, but the holidays/gf is draining me out!!!
Good luck on that by the way!!
I’ve opened up my x-session pro before, and its a really simple circuit board. One board, no flimsy wires, knobs and faders easily removed. In fact, I had plans to do something with it too but it never happened and leftover from that I have an Adobe Illustrator file with the measured holes for all the knobs and faders (made it by scanning the face plate, resizing it appropriately, then tracing it). If you need this file, give me a shout!
…SHOUT OUT! haha
That would be great if I could have that file, I thought it would be near to impossible to find. Also, does anyone know if there is a layout of a midi fighter such as a pdf/illustrator file that has a midi fighters dimensions and measurements.
Not too sure what you mean, but here ya go.
in the MF Resources and discussions:
It gives EXACT measurements for the top plate for the MF.
As for height, I heard it was about (not too sure) 1.50-2 inches from the bottom to the top of the faceplacte.
I did some research and found that [quote=“Fatlimey, username:Fatlimey”]
Facinating - the rubber keys just activate normal tactile switches. I’d never have guessed. Thank you for sharing!
[/quote]
does this mean that Sanwa buttons and others like them are compatible if I cut and designed a new case? If not what other kinds of aftermarket buttons are available for “normal tactile switches”.
[quote]does this mean that Sanwa buttons and others like them are compatible if I cut and designed a new case? If not what other kinds of aftermarket buttons are available for “normal tactile switches”.
Reply With Quote[/quote]
Yes you could wire up some arcade buttons. I started doing the same thing to my Xponent but I’ve had to put it on hold for a short while.
It would be best to desolder the tactile switches first.
Awesome! I just have to find a tutorial or way to solder the buttons on, and another problem I ran into was finding Sanwa buttons to fit so closely together. I’m going to assume that they have to be pretty small so they can fit closely because the tactile switches are very close together on the circuit board, or I could be wrong, I’m new to wiring and electrical parts. Bear with me lol..
below i uploaded a photo of the guts of the x session pro courtesy to Wuz with the tactile switches circled in red.
EDIT:
I kind of figured out how to solder the buttons…
im assuming the black wires going to all of then is the ground wire then the other wirse from the buttons go to their respective connections on the CB?
Here’s the file. Its in PDF format, tell me if you need it in any other format.
This a great idea man I use to have one of these and sold it because of the cheap build of the buttons & faders. Would it be possible to change the channel faders outs with some big rotary knobs and upgrade the X fader to one that would hold up better for scratching?
not really too sure to be honest lol.
I came out with my version of the “X-Session Pro SE” with photo shop and the top faceplate .psd file thanks to Faeruithir
I put the arcade buttons directly over where the tactile switches are on the PCB. I was wondering if you didn’t necessarily need to do this, If so I could have it so there is a row of 5 arcade buttons instead of a group of 4 on either side of the crossfader. Any input?
EDIT/UDATE:
Just finished up with the photoshop concept x session pro arcade with the help of the .PSD file available through DJTT store under the customized midi fighters
I guess no one likes my concept idea 
Are you any good at soldering?
I’m diggin it. Hope to see some pictures.
Fader and buttons are way too close together imho… Even the normal arcade VCI is too close for my preferences but the way this looks you’ll be running into buttons often when you touch the crossfader (and vice versa)… If you want that many buttons I’d suggest moving the ones nearest the crossfader up or down. Not sure all that would fit on the X-sessions pro anyway though
My father has a soldering kit and all the necessary equipment. He knows how to use it all so I don’t think he would mind me asking him to help me out.
The picture was just a quick photoshop mock up of what it might look like. Not necessarily drawn to scale. I don’t mind anything too close, the x session pro is supposed to be compact and “on the go” I guess you could say. Also, the matter of it all fitting would not be a problem because I’m going to order an enclosure design for the PCB of the x session pro. The arcade buttons would be taking place of the rubber push buttons that the x session pro already has on it. All I plan on doing is literally putting the X.S.P. in a new enclosure and replacing the rubber buttons with arcade ones.
Just checkin out your pic.. You can always run longer wires to run your buttons ferther away from the bottom there, why not make it a line of them going “upwards” verse laid on the side? Your faders wouldn’t hit buttons then I’d asume, plus would give ya the same side grip “feel” on each button, you’d just move your hand up or down the side of your box.
Nice Avatar
Look like a great idea, but as some people have have said. It just looks more crowded.
You could simply creat a new case and use the PCB and brains of the XSP and get the spacing the way you’d like and upgrade the faders. . .
(Hmm. . .I may need to keep an eye on this one thread. . .)
so did you abandon the idea of merging the two together? sounded like a cool mod.