Union Audio Announces New Orbit LE Rotary Mixers

British analogue DJ equipment manufacturer Union Audio has announced four new rotary mixers: The Orbit LE2 and LE4, and versions with built-in effects called the LE2 FX and LE4 FX.

The mixers feature either two or four channels, each channel offering switchable phono preamps and line inputs, high-pass filters, trim controls and FX send with pre/post option.

In addition, all models feature a three-band isolator with separate controls for booth, master, and auxiliary return. They have super cute backlit analogue VU meters, and their headphone amps feature split cue, cue mix and both sizes of jack socket.

Digital effects in an analogue world

The most exciting models here for us, though, are the FX versions, which (despite being analogue) have a full suite of digital effects, something that will open these mixers up to a wider range of DJs.

There are eight effects with delays, reverbs, phaser, flanger, bitcrusher and an additional filter, and one of the delays can be tied to BPM with the addition of a tap button for even more creative choices. There is also an FX send/return for using external effects.

The mixers are available now, priced from £715 for the LE2 to £1120 for the LE4 FX.

Why rotary, why analogue?

No one’s pretending these are supposed to be mainstream products for mainstream DJs. There are no crossfaders, indeed no faders, no EQ on the channels (only the isolator for full output EQ), and even though the FX versions offer digital effects, the method of routing audio to/from the FX will be unfamiliar to many DJs – I could go on.

Read this next: 8 Things To Consider When Choosing A DJ Mixer

The point is though that for certain DJs, rotary mixers reflect heritage and culture, as they have a storied history in DJing – and let’s face it, they do look cool!

Finally..

If you’re assembling a personalised DJ set-up for your own pleasure, for a boutique venue, or maybe if you’re just unapologetically old-school and prefer a more classic mixer, you won’t need me to explain the attraction of rotary mixers (or this new range).

I could see DJs using these in vinyl-only set-ups, for instance. The two-channel version in particular would look nice sat between my Stokyo Record Mate portable turntables that I use for 7″-only DJ sets.

Anyway, we hope to review one of these soon. Meanwhile, you can get more information at the company’s website here.