Tag Archives: virtual dj

DJ Tips – M-Audio X-Session Pro Mapping

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Virtual DJ X-Session Pro Map Screen 1Virtual DJ X-Session Pro Map Screen 2I’m a huge fan of the M-Audio X-Session Pro MIDI controller that emulates all the core functions of a traditional two channel DJ mixer. The controller retails at most stores and online for around $99 brand new, which is a great deal considering its linear feeling sliders and tactile feeling pot knobs. You really feel like you have a good quality product in your hands for a really cheap price. Don’t get me wrong, there are better mixers with more options; but bang for your buck it’s a great controller for both beginners and as a back up unit “just in case” for the pros. I especially enjoy the low friction cross fader that’s perfect when matched with time coded vinyl like the Rane CV02 digital vinyl. My big complaint comes from how the controller integrates into most digital DJ software including my all time favorite virtual turntable software package, Atomix Virtual DJ. I’ve been using Virtual DJ since release version 3 and each release I had to manually recode the MIDI control map for the X-Session Pro.

In short, because M-Audio bought the rights to the controller from Evolution and didn’t do any further work on mappings while continuing to tweak the hardware, there is a true and literal disconnect between the controller surface and the on screen functions. Even the latest version of Virtual DJ (7.0.2) doesn’t fix this issue. That’s the bad news; the good news is if you go into the configuration area of Virtual DJ on the controller tab with your X-Session plugged in you can “teach” Virtual DJ the right keys and fix the issue thus allowing you to enjoy using the X-Session like it was meant to be used.

Simply click on each listed map function and then click the trash icon below to remove the “broken” mappings. Once all the key mappings are remove from the map click the new icon (a big green plus sign) on the screen. You then click the Key-Learn button on the screen and turn the appropriate knob you wish to program on the X-Session. Then in the Action-Learn area type in your function you need that knob to do. You’ll find two images above in this post that show you how I map my X-Session MIDI functions in Virtual DJ. This map is simple, effective, and very easy to use for most DJ styles. I think you’ll find it as a good fit for your DJ rig as well. I hope this saves you a lot of time and effort because I looked all over: NOBODY has this info posted so I figured I should get it up there. Happy mixing my friends!

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Arming Up

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Akai MPD18 Pad Controller

Akai MPD18 Pad Controller

Last week DJ A.D.D. was kind enough to let me borrow his Akai MPD18 for an extended trial as he has recently gotten a much snazzier model. For my purposes though, the MPD18 fits in perfect with my DJ rig. It integrates into Virtual DJ and is great for initiating sampler/sound clips. As a bonus I can also use it to drive VST instruments (or virtual instruments). Even better, I managed to get a MIDI to USB cable. This lets me hook up my old Boss DR202 and also trigger MIDI effect in VirtualDJ. All in all, I have more buttons than I should ever need and a quickly growing DJ rig. I ran through a practice mix session and while there is going to be some additional learning time needed, I was able to integrate all of the equipment into my mixing style with ease. I spent a good deal of time working up a new MIDI map. I also finally mapped in a crossfader EQ mixer setup that will work nicely when mixing track to track. Again, I tried it out for the first time last night and the test run went excellent. You should hear some of these new tricks by this week’s Pirate Radio (still on for 2/16/10).

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Snow Blind

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I launched a new page navigation application on df.com today that will make it easier to jump ahead or go back in time from the main “News & Updates” page that you’re seeing right now. If you scroll down to the bottom you’ll see it. I think this will help you move around a bit easier and that’s always nice. It’s also on the archived pages (including the “digitalflood Pirate Radio” show pages). Again, this should make moving around quickly on the site easier to do.

We got a lot of snow here in Orange County, NY (as has most of the Northeast) over the last 24 hours. About 12″ plus. The snow started around 9 pm yesterday and just stopped around 9 pm today. That’s 24 hours of snow. I’m far from buried in though. I managed to shovel myself out. My landlord gave me a hand with his plow equipped pick up truck (which save me tons of time).

I haven’t even had a chance to think about next week’s digitalflood Pirate Radio (that would be “Volume 6 Episode 6” for those of you who like numbers). I can tell you it will be out on 2/16/10 though actual recording still has to happen. I may be able to get MC Mary to do the next episode (Volume 6 Episode 7) as she’s stopping by next week.

Other than that all is well at the Pirate Radio if not a bit quite. I am right now in conversation about a pretty cool project that if it pans out I’ll let you know about. I’m looking to do a remix album and we’ll see where that goes.

Finally, DJ A.D.D. has been kind enough to loan me an Akai controller pad, which I have yet to hook up. When I do (most likely this weekend) I’m hoping to see if I can use it trigger samples and queue points in Virtual DJ. If not it may be time to learn Traktor (I’ve been holding out). We’ll see how that goes.

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Back to the Grind

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Virtual DJ 5 Mix Session-- this isn't one of mine though. I mean God that's a crappy playlist!

Virtual DJ 5 Mix Session-- this isn't one of mine though. I mean God that's a crappy playlist!

All my audio production applications are back in order as are my art and web production applications. The short version is I’m 100% back in business and fully recovered from my computer’s main hard drive failure. With that, production will resume on digitalflood Pirate Radio starting tomorrow. Release for “Volume 5 Episode 4” will be this Saturday (12/19/09). I’m also going to try to crank out “Volume 5 Episode 5” by 12/21/09. That will put us back on schedule episode wise. Like most people who’ve run Microsoft Windows XP on the same computer for five plus years and then were forced to format– I’m enjoying my new found speed and system stability. I guess either way it was about time for me to reload Windows. I’ve been running on a patched together operating system for like two years and a bad hard drive for about four months. So all in all it could be worse.

While I was at it, I loaded a whole bunch of new effects into Virtual DJ. So you can expect some fresh new tricks to be rolled out over the next few Pirate Radio mix tape sessions. My latest trick is what I call the flanger solo. You’ll hear it in Episode 4 pretty pronounced, but those of you who listed to Episode 3 from this season will be able to kind of figure out where I’m going. If you have a good subwoofer you’ll also notice my new experiments in what is called sub-bass. My goal is to set off the air bag in your car. I’m almost there.

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