Remember when CD's came out? Back then, for DJ's, there really wasn't an alternative to lugging around crates of records. It seems as technology is evolving, the days of carrying around records, or even CD's for that matter may be coming to an end. Evolution has made the X-Session, a MIDI control surface that is aimed squarely at the DJ market. Sporting a crossfader, the X-Session is the first controller to specifically address the needs of the DJ.

When I first saw the the previews and press releases of the X-Session, I must admit, they had my attention. I've been disappointed over the years with products from various companies trying to emulate the DJ experience. Most of these products fall far short of being even a partially professional product, instead, they resemble toys that are better sold at the local toy store. I am happy to report, the X-Session is not one of these products.

I opted to put the X-Session through it's paces using the software that ships in the box. This way I could report what you would expect to accomplish by purchasing just the X-Session. That's not to say you can't use the X-Session with other software such as Native Instruments Traktor DJ Studio or Propellerheads Reason, in fact, the X-Session can be used to control most software that will recognize standard MIDI messages.

What is it?

Opening the box, here's what you can expect:
- The X-Session control unit
- USB Cable
- Getting Started Manual
- CD-ROM with drivers, advanced user manual and applications

Let's start with the main unit. Evolution has put together a useful interface for DJ's as well as other live performers. Of course the X-Session's main attraction is the DJ style crossfader which lets one fade back and forth between two channels of audio. Traditional DJ mixers have a crossfader, which in it's most basic form allows you to fade between two sources of audio. When the fader is positioned all the way to the left, you'll hear only the audio connected to that line (usually line 1). Position the fader at the other end and you will hear only the audio connected to line 2. Position the fader in the middle and you'll hear an even blend of both channels.

The X-Session features a MIDI crossfader, meaning that it is different from a traditional DJ mixer in the way that you don't actually connect turntables or CD players to the unit, instead the X-Session is designed to work with software which has multiple audio channels playing simultaneously.

The unit also has 16 knobs which transmit MIDI CC messages and can be freely assigned within your host application. Additionally, X-Session comes pre-configured with scenes 1-4 already assigned to different CC's, you can set-up 64 different assignments for the knobs within a matter of minutes. By recalling memory presets, you can access these assignments fairly easily.

Then you have a bank of 12 buttons, 10 of which are also assignable. Another 8 buttons on the top are used for programming and configuring the X-Session, and of course there is the crossfader. A nice blue back-lit LCD screen rounds out the top panel which is easy on eyes and can easily be read in the dark.

The back panel of the X-Session has a MIDI IN, MIDI OUT, 9vdc power connector (adaptor not included), Power switch and a USB connector. The unit is capable of drawing power from USB, so a power adaptor is not required. One of the cool features about how the X-Session has been configured is that you can use it as a MIDI to USB converter, allowing you to use it as a MIDI interface for your USB equipped computer if needed.

Connection was simple in my situation, I placed the X-Session next to my laptop, plugged in the USB cable from my computer to the controller, flipped on the power switch, and that's it! If you are using OSX or WinXP, you don't need to bother with the drivers disc as these OS's recognize the X-Session automatically. Set-up really couldn't be much easier. For other OS's, such as Windows 98, 2000/Me and Mac OS 9.X drivers are provided on the disc.

Along with drivers and the Advanced User Manual on the CD-ROM, Evolution includes some pretty cool applications to get you going right away. Ableton's Live XS and Arturia's Storm XS are both scaled down versions of their more elaborate and powerfull counter parts. These versions are unrestricted versions with a 'lite' feature set to help you get your feet wet into the X-Session world. The CD-ROM also contains demo versions of Native Instrument's Traktor DJ Studio and Propellerheads Rebirth.

Is It Live (XS)?

I installed Live XS and jumped right into it. I'm already familiar with Ableton's Live, so this was sort of easy. The quick start guide lists steps to have you launching 'scenes' right away (Scenes are collections of samples and loops that can be triggered at the same time in Live). The Demo Live Session that ships with X-Session is already set up with the track levels, Send controls, and some pre-made scenes assigned to one of the Memory Presets.

One of the most powerful ways the X-Session relates to Live is by it's crossfader. Live features a crossfader on it's Master Outs. By assigning tracks to either buss 'A' or buss 'B', you can crossfade between multiple live tracks. If you leave the track unassigned to either buss, it will simply be heard through the Master Outs regardless of the crossfader position

As a result of this set-up, you can effectively have three separate scene variations that you can manipulate using the fader. 'A' plus unassigned tracks, 'B' plus unassigned tracks, and 'A' plus 'B' plus unassigned tracks. I had tons of fun just messing around with the demo session and using the fader to go back and fourth- this thing is fun!

This might not seem like a big deal, but many DJ's use their mixer's crossfader to blend in different loops, sounds, or stabs etc. To me, the crossfader is very intuitive in adding sounds such as loops or percussion to the overall mix at key moments. When mixing tracks in this manner using the fader, the response time is quite good, with no perceptible delay. This goes for all other controls such as the knobs on the unit. It's pretty much real time.

Assigning controllers to function in Live XS is pretty straightforward. Click the MIDI Button in the upper right corner, click on the function you would like to assign and twist the knob (or push the button) you would like to assign to it. That's it. The assignments are saved with the Live XS file. Live XS is limited to 6 Tracks of audio, 1 Send per track and has a limited selection of effects (Chorus, EQ Four, & Ping Pong Delay)

Riders On The Storm (XS)

Using the X-Session with Storm XS was equally as intuitive as with Live XS. Evolution includes a demo file that gets you up and running quickly with some synths and effects pre-mapped to the controller. Once again, it was an absolute blast to play around with the controller and the demo file, the crossfader was already mapped to the Scratch module, which had a pair of loops loaded up.

Assigning controls in Storm XS is pretty straight forward. Control + click on the function you would like to work on and Storm XS goes into a Learn mode, turn the knob you'd like to assign and you're done. Don't plan on being able to scratch like a Hip-Hop DJ with this set-up, as the manual suggests, scratching takes some getting used to.

Storm XS only offers five instruments and four effect types. As a bonus, you can download an extra synth directly from Arturia called Puma free of charge. Simply register your copy of Storm XS and download the synth, pretty cool.

What's an Enigma?

Evolution has an Editor / Librarian that works with the X-Session and is available as a free download at http://www.evolution.co.uk. The application allows you to create a library of your own presets and save, edit and load them conveniently. I was able to download a copy and install in without too much trouble. The interface is well laid out and it's pretty straight forward to use. With Enigma, the 10 memory slots of the X-Session become less of a limitation.

The one thing I found odd about getting Enigma was during the registration process. In order to download Enigma, you have to register your product, no big deal. But during the registration process they require you to provide your mother's maiden name. I couldn't understand why they would need this as it's the information most banks require for security purposes to identify you. Furthermore the information is transmitted on a non-encrypted manner - ouch! I think they really need to re-evaluate this and whether they really need a user's mother's maiden name. It seemed odd to me.

Conclusion

The X-Session UC-17 from Evolution fills a need in the market for an affordable MIDI controller with a DJ style crossfader. Adding to it's smart design is it's size and weight, which makes it convenient to take with you on the road. Using it with Live XS opened up a creative door in my mind and allowed me to create some cool tracks on-the-fly. It's great to be able to have hands-on control over your software applications.

I can't wait to try out the X-Session with other applications such as NI Traktor DJ Studio and Propellerheads Reason. I have been a little apprehensive about using software at my shows, but now I'm going to re-evaluate that decision, I think the X-Session will add a very important element to my setup, real-time hands-on control.

If you are a DJ using a traditional set-up, you may miss the vertical faders. I don't think it was meant to replace a traditional DJ mixer. The X-Session represents a step in the right direction with it's assignable MIDI crossfader. The people that will benefit from it the most are those that are looking to incorporate some DJ style control techniques into their live performances or in the studio. Bedroom DJ's can also have a blast with this thing. There's no doubt in my mind, the X-Session is a winner.

Check out Evolutions's X-Session here.

Tej Gill writes and produces electronic music. Learn more about his projects at http://www.gillometermusic.com

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