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The X-Session works well as a 2 deck mix controller, I use it with Traktor 2.53 so most of what I know is for 2.53. I have Traktor 3.1 but am just experimenting with it. You could actually control the 4 decks of T3.1 with the X-Session but you would have less knobs per channel but possibly it could be done, say just controlling the volume and bass on each deck. Or maybe a totally different set of knob assignments would be better for Traktor 3.1, since it is a more complex program with many more controls than 2.53 and 2.6.
I have 2 X-Sessions now and will eventually connect them together with Midi for some testing with Traktor 3. But I'm not sure I have enough power for both from the USB cable, so might need to get a power supply cube for this.
The X-Session "advanced user manual" which was a PDF download and not printed when I got my unit, is a good reference. But just the regular printed user manual will be OK for startng out.
It's quite easy to assign the knobs to Traktor functions. You will need to set "soft takeover" in Traktor input settings for each knob, to avoid problems when you adjust a Traktor knob with both the mouse and an X-Session knob..
I have the bottom left 4 knobs set for left channel EQ & volume. Similar for right bottom 4 which are for right channel. Knobs from left to right are volume/bass/mid/high. I use auto-gain which works pretty well so I don't need to adjust the deck gains, which would take another knob per deck. If there is a gain problem it is always minor and I adjust the master output level to compensate. If you are recording your mix with the Traktor internal recording, note that the master output level adjustments do not get recorded so you will occasionally need to manually adjust deck gain probably with the mouse. Otherwise you might have occasional cases of low volume or even clipping on your recorded WAV file from Traktor.
I use the cross-fader in the normal way, but lots of people don't like to use a cross-fader especially for trance so you might want to assign it to another purpose. I use both the cross-fader and deck volume knobs to do transitions, as well as EQs depending.
Upper right 2 knobs are for headphone level and mix level. Another upper knob is the master output level.
Upper left 4 knobs control the filters. When the Traktor "focus" is on the left deck, the knobs control the left deck filter. Similarly when the focus is on the right deck the knobs control the filter for the right deck. Many of the Traktor knobs and switches associated with the decks have a "focus" parameter that lets you use a single Midi device knob or swich to control that function for any of the decks, but it only operates on the deck that is currently "in focus".
So I have 1 unused knob that I never got around to assigning.
The button switches can be more tricky as there are 2 different ways you can set them up - as a double-press switch and as a momentary contact switch. You will probably want to wait a while before deciding what is the best way to use the switches.
I use a total of 6 buttons to control the kills for the 2 decks. Sometimes I use the kills to transition between decks in "creative" ways (LOL). It can sound OK with house and similar but not with trance where everything needs to be much smoother.
Another 2 buttons are used to select which deck will be preview monitored in the headphones.
That leaves me with 2 unassigned buttons. You have a total of 10 buttons you can assign (the white ones), the others are for programming the unit but can also be used during DJing for a few interesting things, most of which I haven't tried.
Last edited by tvmann on Aug-15-2006 at 17:45
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Thanks very much for the information mate! Im might actually set things up in 2.6 as I know that alot better.
