I’m almost set, and starting to put together some mixes (coming soon) with a Launchpad (2+2 setup) and a nanoKontrol (for fx, deck levels, master, cue, and 9th knob for xfade)
The only thing I’m missing is EQ, and I am looking at the M-Audio X-Session controller. Is there anything else like it? It looks cheap, but I just want some knobs (and the xfade would be nice…). It looks like it would be easy to break. Any thoughts?
I almost feel like I might as well get some cheapo dj controller (Numark Mixtrack) just for the EQ, and then I’d have some extra buttons (and jogs for fx sweeping)
What I really need is something to control EQ in the box[/]. Any thoughts?
The only alternative I can think of is some DJ Mixer that can be controlled via USB/MIDI, like DJ-Tech’s new X10. Buuuut! That kind of stuff is rather costly. I’m sure there are X-Session users here that can vouch for it’s build quality.
i used mine for over a year and i never ran into any problems with it…
mind you the faders and knobs arnt the best, but they do the trick and take a beating for a price.
That was going to be my next suggestion. :U!
But, pertaining to my previous suggestion: Couldn’t you use the analog mixer and set Traktor to external mixer mode?
Edit: DJ-Tech still does have some other ones that might be worth looking into, like the Mixer One, or the DJM101. Both are two-channel only though.
I have the djm101, it’s pretty good cheapo controller, vu meters, decent pots n faders with 8 select channels and x fader curve adjustment. Def value for money.
+1 for the djm101 and u can find them pretty cheap 2nd hand.
i’m going to setup my icon idj for controlling effects. the pots are pretty close together but it has a boatload of them, plus buttons and some pretty responsive jogs.
You know what, if I ever invest in analogue gear for live sets (I don’t plan on leaving the bedroom quite yet) I’ll def take a look at the 101.
For now, I’m looking for mappable knobs - knobs and knobs. I have buttons galore (I don’t even use all the buttons on the nanoKontrol! It has a TON).
I do need knobs - pref in a 3 band layout, and I figure faders wouldn’t hurt - i’d use the x-session faders for fx perhaps (though the way I have the nano set up is pretty usable - I can’t wait to post a vid!)
Maybe I need to wait until DJTT unveils their upcoming controller - Ean said he’d be rocking his own faders pretty soon, and I can’t imagine that DJTT would be selling analog gear… Thinking MFPro sans buttons… Maybe I need to save up for whatever they’re working on!!!
i’ll admit that only paying 20 quid for it kind of helped how much i like it - but i probably would have paid 50quid - just maybe not the full 90gbp (which i think it is).
anyhoo - back to the OP - the x-session has twice the number of pots etc than the djm101 and from what i’ve seen has half decent build quality - so as the OP wants something for effects i think i’d have to say to go for the x-session. a good product for the price.
for a nice small controller to emulate a traditional dj mixer (and no more) then the djm would be my choice - but for effects i’d go for the x-session.
if that was a bit rambling then i blame it on the vodka…
the djm101 is not analogue it’s a midi mappable 2 channel mixer layout. 4 band eq and all. How many decks do you want to mix 2 + 2 sample banks or just 4 decks?
all midi, no audio, 8 pots (+ 3 small ones), 3 faders and 2 buttons. all midi mappable as well as the leds which are meant for levels.
edit: i almost bought an x-session myself a while ago just for effects. i thought the 3 sets of 3pots+fader would be a good fit for traktor. plus the 8 bottom buttons could be mapped for effects units on/off and for deck a/b/c/d on/off ( i presume - haven’t looked into its midi spec) i wanted more pots and faders so went with the icon idj
Right now I’m testing my feet in 2+2, but I might go to 4 track. I’m brand new to traktor, but I want to get things right before I go all out learning it (I’ve learnt plenty so far, going to post a mix soon).
And $20? Was that new or used?? I can only find it for 100usd!!! If I could get it for a similar price to the X-Session ($45-50usd) then I’d jump on it in a second since it has analog…
20gbp on ebay - so not quite 20usd so 30usd+ ish? don’t think they usually go that cheap, i got lucky. i get some bargains tho quite often. i use snip.pl to add snipes.
and it doesn’t have any analog - it’s pure midi. if i were you i’d probably go for the x-session as you want it for effects. tho personally i like my icon id for effects as it is to small and has so many buttons+pots etc. not in the same price bracket tho as so new.
