.::. Using Xone:DX with Traktor

HINWEIS: Diese Seite ist nur auf Englisch verfügbar.

The new Allen&Heath controller Xone:DX was designed for a tight integration with Serato Itch. However, it is very easy to get the Xone:DX up and running with Traktor. This tutorial explains the necessary configuration steps and the structure of the Traktor mapping I created.

Allen&Heath Xone:DX

When I first saw the Xone:DX during Amsterdam Dance Event in September 2009 I was impressed by the feature richness and the solid build of the controller. If you don't use Traktor with timecode control the DX has everything you need to use all of the Traktor features with one controller:

  • Excellent soundcard with 20 channels, 10 Ins (8 analogue, 2 digital) and 10 Outs (8 analogue, 2 digital)
  • Two stereo phono inputs for turntables with magnetic cartridges requiring RIAA equalisation.
  • Separate outputs for Master and Booth signal, both volumes can be controlled with two knobs that are connected to the internal soundcard
  • Plenty of faders, buttons, encoder and knobs
  • LEDs give visual feedback about the current Traktor state
  • Familiar design based on standard DJ mixers

TSI Download

Download the ZIP file which contains a TSI with the Traktor mapping and a PDF file documenting the mapping. Make sure that you use Traktor 1.2.4 or higher; otherwise the mappings cannot be imported and the assignment table in Controller Manager stays empty.
Xone:DX Mapping, Version 1 für 4 Decks + 4 FX Units

Driver Installation

Before you can use the DX with Traktor you first need to install the audio and midi drivers. The drivers are part of the ITCH installer package which can be found on the CD. Start the installer and make sure that the DX is connected to your computer. Otherwise the drivers will not be installed.

Audio Setup and Audio Routing

When the installler has finished, start Traktor and perform the following steps:

  1. Open Preferences/Audio Setup and select the ASIO driver (Windows) or the Core Audio driver (Mac) for the Xone:DX. Traktor will set the latency to a default value. You can lower the latency setting if you want. I was able to run Traktor with the DX without problems with a latency setting of 2.5 ms.
    DX Audio Setup

  2. Open Preferences/Audio Routing and set the Mixing Mode to Internal.

  3. Configure the output channels as follows:
    Output Monitor: Out 7 + Out 8
    Output Master: Out 1 + Out 2
    Output Record: Out 5 + Out 6
    DX Output Routing
    The names of the outputs are slightly different in the Windows and the Mac version of the audio driver. The figure above shows the Windows version.
  4. Open Preferences/Recording. Set the Recording Source to Internal. This makes sure that you can record your mixes.
    DX Recording Setup

  5. Open Preferences/Controller Manager. Click the Import button in the lower left of the dialog box. Browse to the folder where you unzipped the downloaded file, select the file xonedx_v1.tsi and click Open.

    (Note: The other six files contains the individual mappings for each logical controller.)

    When the import is done, the Device list contains six new entries: DX LEFT DECK, DX RIGHT DECK, DX FX, DX BROWSER, DX MIXER ABCD and DX MIXER ACDB.
    DX Controller Manager Setup
  6. Open the list Device and select LEFT DECK, DX RIGHT DECK, DX FX and DX BROWSER. Make sure that for each logical controller the corresponding DX MIDI port is selected in lists In-Port and Out-Port.
  7. Configure the In- and Out-port for one of the two mixer layouts. Set the In- and Out-port for the two mixer layouts (DX MIXER ABCD and DX MIXER ACDB) that you don't use to none.
    More information about the two different layouts for the mixer section can be found in the PDF for the mapping.

Volume Control

Almost all controls on the Xone:DX send MIDI messages. There are three exceptions, all of them control the volume:

  • MIX Knob  The Mix knob is connected to the souncard inside the DX. This knob is a VCA controller and you can use it to set the volume of the master signal that is routed to Out 1 and Out 2 (as well the XLR outs as the RCA outs).
  • BOOTH Knob  The Booth knob controls the volume of the booth speakers. Connect them to Out 3 and Out 4 at the rear side of the DX. Out 3 and Out 4 get the same signal that is sent to Out 1 and Out 2. This knob is a VCA controller as well.
  • PHONES VOLUME Knob  This knob controls the volume of the headphones. Using the corresponding knob in the ´Traktor user interface has no effect.

Mapping Overview

The following information shall give you an overview of the mapping for the DX; detailled information can be found in the PDF file you have downloaded.

  • LEFT PANE, DECK SECTION 
    Use the left deck section on the DX to control the Traktor decks A and C. Press the Layer button to switch between deck A and C. The colour of the illumninated ring around the jogwheel and the LEDs are red if deck A is controlled, for deck C they are green.
  • LEFT PANE, FX SECTION 
    Use the left FX section on the DX to control the Traktor FX units 1 and 3. Use the button labelled SPLIT CUE to toggle between FX unit 1 and 3. The LED next to the button is off, if FX unit 1 is controlled; for FX unit 3 the LED is on. The FX units can be toggled between Advanced Mode and Chained Mode.
  • RIGHT PANE, DECK SECTION  
    Use the right deck section on the DX to control the Traktor decks B and D. Press the Layer button to switch between deck B and D. The colour of the illumninated ring and the LEDs are red if deck B is controlled, for deck D they are green.
  • RIGHT PANE, FX SECTION  
    Use the right FX section on the DX to control the Traktor FX units 2 and 4. Use the button labelled SPLIT CUE to toggle between FX unit 2 and 4. The LED next to the button is off, if FX unit 2 is controlled; for FX unit 4 the LED is on. The FX units can be toggled between Advanced Mode and Chained Mode.
  • MIXER PANE & XFADE SWITCHES  
    The mixer section controls the deck volume, the EQ, and the deck filter. Use the eight buttons at the top to activate/deactive FX units 1 and 2 for the corresponding deck. To enable either FX unit 3 and 4 for a deck use the X-Fade switch.
    The mapping contains two different layouts for the mixer pane: one ABCD layout and one ACDB layout.

Now have fun and enjoy DJing with Traktor and the Xone:DX. If you have questions or comments please use the contact form to get in touch.

Rainer G. Haselier, March 2010