# X-Session alternative? **URL:** \ **Category:** Hardware: Controllers, Mods and Gear\ **Created:** [September 1, 2011, 5:17pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/x-session-alternative/29271 "2011-09-01T17:17:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![LmnLm3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b38774/32.png) [@LmnLm3](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/LmnLm3)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 5:17pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/x-session-alternative/29271/1 "2011-09-01T17:17:38Z")
**X-Session alternative?** 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?_ ---
**Author:** ![Onimode](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/onimode/32/14482_2.png) [@Onimode](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/Onimode)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 5:44pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/x-session-alternative/29271/2 "2011-09-01T17:44:05Z")
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. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![LmnLm3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b38774/32.png) [@LmnLm3](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/LmnLm3)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 5:54pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/x-session-alternative/29271/3 "2011-09-01T17:54:54Z")
That seems to be an analogue mixer with usb soundcard (like serato mixer without the serrato) I’m trying to stay out of the Faderfox price range 🙂 I would like some confirmation either way about the quality of the X-Session though - any takers? or other suggestions for alternatives? ---
**Author:** ![bmxerguy13](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b782af/32.png) [@bmxerguy13](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/bmxerguy13)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 6:01pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/x-session-alternative/29271/4 "2011-09-01T18:01:07Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Onimode](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/onimode/32/14482_2.png) [@Onimode](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/Onimode)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 6:06pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/x-session-alternative/29271/5 "2011-09-01T18:06:46Z")
> [@LmnLm3](#): > > I’m trying to stay out of the Faderfox price range 🙂 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](http://www.djtechpro.com/product_detail.asp?cate_id=63&subcate_id=105&product_id=451), or the [DJM101](http://www.djtechpro.com/product_detail.asp?cate_id=63&subcate_id=135&product_id=540). Both are two-channel only though. ---
**Author:** ![keithace](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/keithace/32/14248_2.png) [@keithace](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/keithace)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 6:17pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/x-session-alternative/29271/6 "2011-09-01T18:17:40Z")
i’ve been using my x-session for a year plus (i got it used)…i have had no problems with it… lots of buttons and sliders to monkey with… ---
**Author:** ![3heads](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/3heads/32/14609_2.png) [@3heads](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/3heads)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 6:22pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/x-session-alternative/29271/7 "2011-09-01T18:22:41Z")
M-Audio UC-33e. Looooooooooots of pots, faders and some buttons (but with a launchpad you should have enough of those anyways). ---
**Author:** ![zimfella](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/zimfella/32/13961_2.png) [@zimfella](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/zimfella)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 6:30pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/x-session-alternative/29271/8 "2011-09-01T18:30:04Z")
> [@Onimode](#): > > Edit: DJ-Tech still does have some other ones that might be worth looking into, like the [Mixer One](http://www.djtechpro.com/product_detail.asp?cate_id=63&subcate_id=105&product_id=451), or the [DJM101](http://www.djtechpro.com/product_detail.asp?cate_id=63&subcate_id=135&product_id=540). 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. ---
**Author:** ![zestoi](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/zestoi/32/13946_2.png) [@zestoi](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/zestoi)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 6:43pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/x-session-alternative/29271/9 "2011-09-01T18:43:55Z")
> [@zimfella](#): > > 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. ---
**Author:** ![muffintop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@muffintop](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/muffintop)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 6:52pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/x-session-alternative/29271/10 "2011-09-01T18:52:18Z")
My brother has an xsession and it holds up pretty well.can’t beat it for the money imo ---
**Author:** ![zimfella](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/zimfella/32/13961_2.png) [@zimfella](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/zimfella)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 7:13pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/x-session-alternative/29271/11 "2011-09-01T19:13:49Z")
> [@zestoi](#): > > +1 for the djm101 and u can find them pretty cheap Great stuff. I was wondering how long it would be before you bigged up the djm101. Nice one 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![zestoi](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/zestoi/32/13946_2.png) [@zestoi](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/zestoi)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 7:26pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/x-session-alternative/29271/12 "2011-09-01T19:26:00Z")
> [@zimfella](#): > > Great stuff. I was wondering how long it would be before you bigged up the djm101. Nice one 🙂 cheers lol. we may be the only two people on the forum who actually have on 😛 i really have no clue why it seems so unpopular here… ---
**Author:** ![zimfella](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/zimfella/32/13961_2.png) [@zimfella](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/zimfella)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 7:31pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/x-session-alternative/29271/13 "2011-09-01T19:31:29Z")
2 0ut of 50000 lol. yeah before I purchased it every where I read gave djtech a bad rep, but it just was exactley what I needed and I’m chuft with it. ---
**Author:** ![LmnLm3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b38774/32.png) [@LmnLm3](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/LmnLm3)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 7:32pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/x-session-alternative/29271/14 "2011-09-01T19:32:43Z")
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!!! ---
**Author:** ![zestoi](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/zestoi/32/13946_2.png) [@zestoi](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/zestoi)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 7:35pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/x-session-alternative/29271/15 "2011-09-01T19:35:15Z")
> [@zimfella](#): > > 2 0ut of 50000 lol. yeah before I purchased it every where I read gave djtech a bad rep, but it just was exactley what I needed and I’m chuft with it. 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… ---
**Author:** ![zimfella](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/zimfella/32/13961_2.png) [@zimfella](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/zimfella)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 7:35pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/x-session-alternative/29271/16 "2011-09-01T19:35:57Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![zestoi](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/zestoi/32/13946_2.png) [@zestoi](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/zestoi)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 7:39pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/x-session-alternative/29271/17 "2011-09-01T19:39:02Z")
there’s a photo of my djm101 in this thread here [ICON iDJ First Impressions](http://www.djtechtools.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34480) 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 ---
**Author:** ![LmnLm3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b38774/32.png) [@LmnLm3](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/LmnLm3)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 8:31pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/x-session-alternative/29271/18 "2011-09-01T20:31:26Z")
> [@zimfella](#): > > 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? 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… Does the 101 have A/D converter btw? ---
**Author:** ![zestoi](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/zestoi/32/13946_2.png) [@zestoi](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/zestoi)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 8:38pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/x-session-alternative/29271/19 "2011-09-01T20:38:57Z")
> [@LmnLm3](#): > > 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… > > Does the 101 have A/D converter btw? 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. ---
**Author:** ![LmnLm3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b38774/32.png) [@LmnLm3](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/LmnLm3)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 8:48pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/x-session-alternative/29271/20 "2011-09-01T20:48:21Z")
maybe I’m confused :-/ I am looking at this [ame=“[Amazon.com](http://www.amazon.com/Marathon-Djm-101-4-Channel-19-inch-Inputs/dp/B001L530H8)”][Amazon.com](http://Amazon.com): Marathon Djm-101 4-Channel 19-inch Mixer, Dual 10 Band Eq, Up To 8 Line Inputs, 2 Mic Inputs & 3 Band Eq On Mics: Musical Instruments@@AMEPARAM@@[http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51jh7CgXjqL.@@AMEPARAM@@51jh7CgXjqL[/ame]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51jh7CgXjqL.@@AMEPARAM@@51jh7CgXjqL%5B/ame%5D) Is that not what you’re talking about? [Next page](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/x-session-alternative/29271.md?page=2)