Evolution X-Session review

Evolution adds to the MIDI controller market with the X-Session

  • £90
The X-Session controller is just the right size.

MusicRadar Verdict

A sensible starting point for the budget conscious -- the X-Session isn´t just for digital DJs.

Pros

  • +

    Comfortable size. No drivers required. Reasonably priced.

Cons

  • -

    Limited to 10 presets. Poor button feedback. Plausibly Mid-range.

MusicRadar's got your back Our team of expert musicians and producers spends hours testing products to help you choose the best music-making gear for you. Find out more about how we test.

The X-Session is aimed squarely at digital DJs, but it can also serve as a perfectly good control surface for other musicians. The front panel contains one horizontal slider (for crossfades and scratchin´), a funky blue illuminated LCD display, 16 rotary controllers (of the end-to-end rather than endless type) and 12 buttons.

Both USB and MIDI interfaces are provided, and the unit can be host-powered when connected via USB or from an external AC adapter on other occasions. The device is big enough to give you comfortable access to all the controls, but not so large that you couldn´t take it out and about with a laptop. The X-Session is class compliant, which means that no drivers are required in Windows XP or Mac OS X. In other words, this is a genuine plug ´n´ play device.

Presets

Up to ten configuration presets can be saved in non-volatile memory. This is probably enough for the majority of users, but those who feel they might require more should clearly look elsewhere. Reason 3 provides native support for the X-Session -- you can use it to switch rack devices, flip between rack unit presets and, of course, control any of the rack units without performing any tedious setup chores.

The controller ships with cutdown versions of Ableton Live and Arturia Storm. The X-Session´s build quality is pretty good, though the buttons don´t have a very positive feel when you push them. It has obvious appeal for anyone with an interest in computer-based mixing, but it shouldn´t be discounted by those who just want a basic but solid control surface at a reasonable price.

MusicRadar

MusicRadar is the number one website for music-makers of all kinds, be they guitarists, drummers, keyboard players, DJs or producers...

GEAR: We help musicians find the best gear with top-ranking gear round-ups and high-quality, authoritative reviews by a wide team of highly experienced experts. TIPS: We also provide tuition, from bite-sized tips to advanced work-outs and guidance from recognised musicians and stars. STARS: We talk to musicians and stars about their creative processes, and the nuts and bolts of their gear and technique. We give fans an insight into the craft of music-making that no other music website can.