User Guide

Table of Contents
Introduction. 3 Whats in the Box?. 3 X-Session Pro Features. 3 Minimum System Requirements. 4
Operating Systems. Windows. Macintosh Hardware

.4.4.4

.4 Windows. 4 Macintosh. 4
Installation. 5 Controls and Connectors. 5

Top Panel

Rear Panel.
Using X-Session Pro. 6 Troubleshooting. 7 Appendix A: X-Session Pro MIDI CC defaults. 9 Contact Us. 10 Technical Information. 11 Warranty Terms & Registration. 12

Warranty Terms

. 12. 12

Warranty Registration.

X-Session Pro User Guide

Introduction

hank you for choosing the M-Audio X-Session Pro USB DJ controller. This unique controller gives digital DJs all the familiar knobs and sliders of a hardware mixer while allowing them to harness the power of the latest DJ software. X-Session Pros sleek, lightweight, and portable design makes it the perfect travel companion for laptop-based DJs. The controller connects to your computer via a single USB cable and draws power through the USB connection. This eliminates the need to carry around a bulky power supply and makes it easy to set up and mix from anywhere.
Even if youre an experienced DJ, please take a moment to read through this User Guide and familiarize yourself with X-Session Pros unique features. You may also want to refer to your DJ applications documentation to better understand how this controller can be integrated with your software. Your experience and enjoyment with X-Session Pro will be greatly enhanced by a good working knowledge of your equipment.

Whats in the Box?

Your X-Session Pro package contains the following: < X-Session Pro USB DJ Controller < M-Audio MIDI Controller CD-ROM containing drivers and documentation < USB cable < Printed Quick Start Guide

X-Session Pro Features

X-Session Pro has the following features: < 12 knobs < 4 vertical faders < 1 horizontal crossfader < 10 buttons < Bus powered operationno power supply required < Compatible with M-Audios Enigma software editor
Minimum System Requirements

Operating Systems

Windows X-Session Pro is supported under Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or later. It is not supported under Windows 2000, Windows 98, or Windows Me. Visit the Windows update web pages to make certain you have the most current updates and xes supplied by Microsoft. Macintosh X-Session Pro is supported under Mac OS X version 10.3.9 / 10.4.7, or later. Earlier versions of the operating system are not supported.

Hardware*

Windows < Pentium III 500 MHz (higher speed CPU may be necessary for laptops) < 256MB RAM Macintosh < Macintosh G3**600 / G4**667MHz (higher speed CPU may be necessary for laptops) < 256MB RAM *M-Audio suggests checking the minimum system requirements for your software, as they may be greater than the above specications. **G3/G4 accelerator cards are not supported; native USB port required.

Installation

-Session Pro is a class-compliant device. This means Windows XP and Mac OS X computers will automatically recognize and install X-Session Pro once the controller is connected to the computeryou are not required to install any drivers or perform any installation procedures. Once the X-Session Pro drivers are installed, you may need to congure your DJ software to accept MIDI signals from the controller. This is usually done through your softwares control panel. Refer to your programs user guide to learn how to do this.

Advanced Windows XP users who require multi-client support (i.e., using the controller with more than one application at the same time) will need to install the special X-Session Pro multi-client drivers. Please refer to the X-Session Pro Quick Start Guide for installation instructions.

Controls and Connectors

1. Crossfader This slider can be assigned to control the crossfader in your DJ software. Use this control to transition between songs.
These 2. Transport Controls buttons can be used to start, pause, cue, rewind, and fast forward music on each deck of your music software. 3. Vertical Sliders (Pitch, Volume) These vertical sliders can be mapped to the pitch and volume of each deck in your software. 4. Headphone Cue Buttons If your audio hardware and DJ software support cue monitoring, assign these buttons to select which deck youd like to hear in your headphones. 5. User Knobs (1, 2, 3, High, Mid, Low) These knobs can be mapped to various effect and EQ settings within your software. 6. Power Indicator LED (Power) This red LED illuminates when X-Session Pro is receiving power and is turned on using the Power switch (8).
While X-Session Pro may look like a traditional DJ mixer, keep in mind that all of the buttons, knobs, and faders are actually sending out MIDI data. This means that you can use X-Session Pro to control more than just DJ applications. For example, the buttons, sliders, and knobs can be used to control a virtual instrument or a DAW sequencer. Refer to your softwares user guide to learn how to map X-Session Pros controls to various functions within the application.

Rear Panel

7. USB Port The USB port provides power and carries MIDI signals to and from X-Session Pro. Connect this jack to an available USB port on your computer. 8. Power Switch
This switch turns X-Session Pro on and off.
Pressing the Reset or A buttons may place the controller in a mode in which functionality is limited. Do not press the Reset or A buttons unless instructed to do so by an authorized technical support specialist or support document.
9. A Button (A) This button must be used in conjunction with the Reset button to reinitialize X-Session Pro to its default factory settings. 10. Reset Button (Reset) This button is used in conjunction with the A button to reinitialize X-Session Pro to its factory settings. 11. Kensington Security Slot This jack is compatible with Kensington security cables to protect your device from theft.

Using X-Session Pro

any DJ and audio applications (such as Ableton Live, Propellerhead Reason, Native Instruments Traktor, and others) now include a MIDI Learn function. This feature allows you to quickly assign the buttons, knobs, or sliders of the X-Session Pro to control specic parameters within the software. X-Session Pro can control any software that has this functionality. The learn function varies from application to application and you will need to refer to your softwares user guide to nd out how to use this feature.
If your software does not have this functionality, it may still be possible to manually assign the programs features to be controlled by the specic MIDI CC data generated by the knobs, buttons, and sliders of the X-Session Pro. Refer to your softwares user guide to see if this is possible. If manually assigning features is possible in your software, see Appendix A for a complete listing of MIDI CC information generated by the knobs, buttons, and sliders of the X-Session Pro.

Troubleshooting

-Session Pro is a professional-quality controller that has been tested under a wide variety of conditions. Despite our thorough testing, X-Session Pro can be used in nearly limitless situations and certain scenarios may result in unexpected performance. This section will highlight some of the most common difculties users may experience and provide tips to remedy these problems. First and foremost, we recommend that you avoid connecting several USB devices to the same port on your computer. While USB is a dependable protocol that is well suited for audio applications, it is important to remember that audio and multimedia applications place considerable demands on your processor and the USB bus. Although it is theoretically possible to connect numerous devices to one USB port, doing so may cause complications with your hardware and software.
If you have reduced your number of USB devices and continue to have trouble with X-Session Pro, please check the following: < Verify that the X-Session Pro drivers are properly installed. In Windows XP, go to the control panel and double-click the System icon (under Performance and Maintenance if you are in Category view). Select the Hardware tab and click the Device Manager button. Click the plus sign (+) next to Sound, Video and Game Controllers, and locate the X-Session USB and X-Session MIDI or USB Audio Device listing. If you see a question mark or exclamation point next to either the X-Session USB or X-Session MIDI listing, you nay need to reinstall the driver software. If you are using X-Session Pro as a class-compliant device and you see a question mark or exclamation point next to a USB Audio Device listing, disconnect X-Session Pro to see if this item disappears from the Device Manager window. If it does disappear, try connecting X-Session Pro to a different USB port to see if this resolves the problem. < Make sure your DJ or audio application has been set up to use the controller. Open your applications control panel and verify that the software is congured to receive the MIDI data generated by X-Session Pro. < Double-check that your USB cable is properly plugged in. < If you are using a USB hub, try connecting X-Session Pro directly to your computer. If X-Session Pro is properly controlling your DJ software, but you are hearing clicks, pops, or other problems while playing music: < Make sure your input and output levels are not too loud, as this can cause distortion and clipping. < Try increasing the buffer size of your audio interface. Larger buffer sizes will result in higher audio latencies, but will improve system performance and resolve many clicking and popping issues. Consult your audio interface or DJ softwares user guide for more information about this. < If you are using X-Session Pro with another USB audio interface and are experiencing clicks and pops, try disconnecting X-Session Pro and see if it improves your situation. If so, reconnect your X-Session Pro to a different USB port on your computer and make sure that X-Session Pro and your USB audio device are internally connected to separate USB controllers (i.e., they are not sharing the resources of one controller). < Make sure all your audio cables are in good working order and are properly connected. If you continue to have difculties, refer to your audio applications user guide for additional help.

If for some reason X-Session Pro crashes, you may need to reset and reinitialize the controller to its factory settings. This is a two step process: < First, turn off the unit. Use a bent paperclip or other small object to press and hold the Reset button (10) on the rear of the controller while you turn on the X-Session Pro. Once the unit is turned on, wait a moment, then release the button. < Next, use the bent paperclip (or other small object) to press the A button (9) on the rear of the controller. Release the button, wait 1-2 seconds, and press the Cue button located on the bottom right of the controller.
Your X-Session Pro is now reinitialized to its factory settings. If the crossfaders operation is reversed in your DJ software: < X-Session Pros crossfader sends normal (CC#17, 0-127) and inverted (CC#20, 127-0) MIDI data at the same time. This feature is useful since it allows users to control two independent parameters, e.g. the volume of two different sequencer tracks, and blend from one to the other using only one hardware controller: the crossfader. If you assign X-Session Pros crossfader to control the crossfader in your DJ software, but its function is reversed (i.e., you slide X-Session Pros crossfader to the left but the on-screen crossfader moves to the right), go to www.m-audio.com and download M-Audios Enigma application. < Enigma is a powerful program that allows you to change the settings of any slider, knob, or button found on X-Session Pro. Once you install and run the software, you will see a virtual X-Session Pro on-screen. Select preset 8 (Right CUE button) in Enigma, then double-click on the right half of the virtual X-Session Pros crossfader and set the value for Ctrl to 255. This will disable the transmission of inverted MIDI data from the crossfader. Upload the changes to the X-Session Pro by pushing the button. Finally, push the button labeled A on X-Session Pros rear panel. Release the button and within three seconds, push the right button on X-Session Pro. The crossfader will now only send normal MIDI information and no longer inverted values. Use your DJ applications Learn MIDI feature to re-assign the crossfader within the software. This should resolve any reversed crossfader issues you may be experiencing.
Please see the Enigma documentation for more information.
Appendix A: X-Session Pro MIDI CC defaults
Knob 1 Left Knob 2 Left Knob 3 Left Knob Hi Left Knob Mid Left Knob Low Left Pitch Fader Left Volume Fader Left Headphone Button Left << Button Left >> Button Left Cue Button Left Play Button Left Crossfader (normal)
CC 24 CC 25 CC 26 CC 27 CC 28 CC 29 CC 12 CC 11 Note 44 Note 46 Note 43 Note 58 Note 70 CC 17
Knob 1 Right Knob 2 Right Knob 3 Right Knob Hi Right Knob Mid Right Knob Low Right Pitch Fader Right Volume Fader Right Headphone Button Right << Button Right >> Button Right Cue Button Right Play Button Right Crossfader (inverted)

CC 31 CC 32 CC 33 CC 34 CC 35 CC 36 CC 15 CC 14 Note 45 Note 56 Note 57 Note 59 Note 69 CC 20

Contact Us

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Technical Support

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Technical Information
Caution: Electro Static Discharge, Electrical Fast Transient and Conducted RF interference may cause the unit malfunctioning. In such case, unplug the unit and plug it in again to restore normal operation. Note: Your M-Audio product has been tested to comply with FCC Standards FOR HOME OR OFFICE USE. Modications not authorized by the manufacturer may void users authority to operate this device.
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures: < Re-orient or relocate the receiving antenna. < Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver. < Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected. < Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/ TV technician for help. ASIO is a trademark of Steinberg Soft und Hardware GmbH. VST is a trademark of Steinberg Soft und Hardware GmbH

X-Session Pro

Tested to comply with FCC standards

FOR HOME OR STUDIO USE

WARNING: This product contains chemicals, including lead, known to the State of California to cause cancer, and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling. 2006 Avid Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Product features, specications, system requirements and availability are subject to change without notice. Avid, M-Audio and X-Session Pro are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
Warranty Terms & Registration
M-Audio warrants products to be free from defects in materials and workmanship, under normal use and provided that the product is owned by the original, registered user. Visit www.m-audio.com/warranty for terms and limitations applying to your specic product.

Warranty Registration

Thank you for registering your new M-Audio product. Doing so immediately both entitles you to full warranty coverage and helps M-Audio develop and manufacture the nest quality products available. Register online at www.m-audio.com/register to receive FREE product updates and for the chance to win M-Audio giveaways.

061005_XSssnPro_UG_EN01

Quick Start Guide

English

About X-Session Pro
Thank you for purchasing M-Audios X-Session Pro. This control surface has been designed to look and feel like a regular DJ mixer while giving you complete hands-on control of your DJ and music production software. While X-Session Pro may look like a typical DJ mixer, its knobs, faders, and buttons transmit MIDI data allowing you to use the controller with much more than just DJ applicationsyou can use this device to control everything from virtual instruments to your entire DAW setup. This Quick Start Guide will walk you through the installation process for X-Session Pro and help you learn the basics of using the controller. For more detailed information, please refer to the User Guide found on the M-Audio MIDI Controller CD-ROM.
We recommend that you download the most recent X-Session Pro drivers by going to the Support > Drivers page at www.m-audio.com. This ensures that you have the newest drivers available. If you do not have Internet access, insert the M-Audio MIDI Controller CD-ROM into your computer to install the drivers that came with X-Session Pro. a. If you are installing drivers from the M-Audio MIDI Controller CD-ROM, the computer will automatically display the interactive install screen 1 when the CD-ROM is inserted. If your computer fails to launch this application, you can manually start it by clicking on Start > My Computer > M-Audio MIDI Controller CD-ROM. Next, select your product from the menu and click Install.
b. If you are installing drivers from www.m-audio.com, simply double-click the le once it has nished downloading.
2. X-Session Pro Installation
X-Session Pro is class-compliant and requires no drivers when used under Windows XP or Mac OS X. This means you can simply connect X-Session Pro to your computer using the supplied USB cable and begin using the controllerno drivers or additional installation is required.
Advanced Installation for Windows XP Users
NOTE: You are NOT required to install these drivers if you plan to use X-Session Pro with one program at a time.
Advanced Windows XP users who plan to use X-Session Pro with more than one audio application at the same time must install special multi-client drivers. This can be done by following the instructions below: 1. If you have already connected X-Session Pro to your computer, disconnect it before beginning the installation.
Follow the driver installers on-screen instructions. At various points in this installation process, you may be notied that the driver being installed has not passed Windows Logo Testing. Click Continue Anyway to proceed with the installation. Once the installer has completed, click Finish. Attach X-Session Pro to an available USB port. Windows will identify the controller and will ask if you want to search the Internet for a driver. Select No, not this time and press Next 2.
Windows will display a Found New Hardware Wizard

5. 6. 7.

9. 10. 11.
Choose Install software automatically and click Next. Once the Wizard has completed, click Finish. Once the installation is complete, you will see a message pop up stating, Your new hardware is installed and ready to use.

4. Connection Diagram

Attach X-Session Pro to an available USB port on your computer. Attach your amplier, mixer, or powered speakers to your computers audio outputs. If your computer (or audio interface) contains a separate headphone output, connect your headphones to this output.

X-Session Pro

Computer
Your setup may vary from the illustration if you own a professional audio interface such as an M-Audio Fast Track USB or FireWire 410. If you own such an interface, be sure to connect your amplier, mixer, or powered speakers to the interface instead of your computer. Professional audio interfaces will provide improved sound quality, lower latency, and better features than your computers built-in audio ports.

Headphones

Amplifier, Mixer or Speakers

5. Using X-Session Pro

Each knob, button, and fader on X-Session Pro is assigned with its own unique MIDI Continuous Controller (CC) number. Each time you turn a knob, push a button, or move a fader, X-Session Pro sends out MIDI CC data that is received and interpreted by your music software. To control your music software with X-Session Pro, make sure the program is congured to receive MIDI data generated by X-Session Pro. Conguration varies from software to software, but it is usually done through the programs control panel. Refer to your programs user guide to learn how to do this. Next, use your programs MIDI Learn function to assign each of X-Session Pros knobs, buttons, and faders to the specic parameters youd like to control. Most audio applications now have a MIDI Learn function, and youll need to refer to the softwares documentation to nd out how to use this feature. Once you have assigned an on-screen parameter to one of the buttons, knobs, or sliders on X-Session Pro, you should be able to control the parameter using the hardware controller. If your program does not feature, a MIDI Learn function, you may still be able to manually assign your programs features to be controlled by X-Session Pro. To nd out how to do this, refer to the X-Session Pro User Guide found on the M-Audio MIDI Controller CD-ROM.

6. Additional Information and Support
Help on the Web: The M-Audio website (www.m-audio.com) contains the latest X-Session Pro drivers as well as useful links to news stories, FAQs, and technical support. We recommend checking this site regularly to ensure you have the latest drivers and most up-to-date information about your M-Audio products. Upgrading your hardware: Most built-in audio devices suffer from high audio latency, do not have multiple audio outputs, and cannot make use of a DJ applications cue monitoring system. If you have been using X-Session Pro with your computers built-in audio outputs but would like additional features such as multiple outputs for cue monitoring and low-latency ASIO drivers, consider purchasing an M-Audio digital audio interface. M-Audio builds a full line of high-performance interfaces including Fast Track USB, Fast Track Pro, MobilePre USB, and FireWire Solo. All of these products give you expanded functionality and are 100% compatible with your DJ and professional audio software.
2006 Avid Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Product features, specications, system requirements and availability are subject to change without notice. Avid, M-Audio, X-Session Pro, Fast Track and MobilePre are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
Tested to comply with FCC standards

FOR HOME OR STUDIO USE

WARNING: This product contains chemicals, including lead, known to the State of California to cause cancer, and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.

M-Audio USA

M-Audio Germany Sales
e-mail:. sales@m-audio.com tel:.1-866-657-6434 fax:. (626) 633-9070
5795 Martin Rd., Irwindale, CA 91706
Kuhallmand 34, D-74613 Ohringen, Germany

Technical Support

web:. www.m-audio.com/tech tel (pro products):.(626) 633-9055 tel (consumer products):.(626) 633-9066 fax (shipping):.(626) 633-9032
e-mail:. support@m-audio.de tel:. +49 (0)7941 - 9870030 fax:. +49 (0)70070
e-mail:. info@m-audio.de tel:. +49 (0)7000 fax:. +49 (0)70070

. www.m-audio.com

Web. M-Audio Canada

. www.m-audio.de

M-Audio U.K.