Rotary DJ mixers may seem like a contemporary fad but the reality is quite the contrary. DJs began their reign on these knob-laden machines back in the 70s, with the first few mixers including UREI’s 1620 and Bozak’s CMA-10-DL2. Their revival was, in part, thanks to the release of the portable E&S DJR 400, showcasing the power of isolators and the high-resolution sound analogue rotary mixers could process.
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If you’re a DJ that’s learned on fader mixers, the move to rotary mixers may be jarring. Not only is it harder to scratch and battle, but traditional EQ bands are replaced with isolators, which allow you to manipulate a wider band of frequencies and offer more gain per band. This is great for creative mixing and filtering, but can inadvertently lead to extreme, displeasing results for DJs uninitiated with isolators. Practice long enough, though, and you may adopt your own flair of mixing.
In this guide, we’ve listed some of the best rotary mixers available right now, from the affordable to the extravagant.
Best Rotary mixers at a glance
- Union Audio Orbit.6
- Omnitronic TRM-202MK3
- Ecler WARM2
- Bozak AR-6
- Condesa Lucia
- Bozak AR-4
- E&S DJR 400
- SuperStereo DN78-II
- Rane MP2015
- Varia Instruments RDM40
- Alpha Recording System MODEL9900
- AlphaTheta Euphonia
- Union Audio Two Valve / Four Valve
- Resor 3300
- Resor 2500
Union Audio Orbit.6
Union Audio Orbit.6Union Audio’s Orbit.6 is a rack-mounted rotary mixer designed for audiophile DJs and vinyl enthusiasts designed by Andy Rigby-Jones. Rigby-Jones, renowned for his work with Allen & Heath’s Xone line, has worked with Richie Hawtin on his Play Differently line, showcasing the liberating effects of deviating from mass-market limitations.
The incredible Orbit.6 features six channels, each equipped with a valve stage and a fully discrete internal signal path from channel input to mix-out. With four RIAA and eight line inputs, as well as an aux send, a high-pass filter, and a rotary fader on each channel, Orbit.6 offers a comprehensive set of functionalities. The Master section includes an EQ/Isolator and custom VU Meters. This mixer delivers clear highs, forward mids, and a powerful low-end, enhancing the sound quality of various setups and optimising high-end sound systems.
Find out more about the Union Audio Orbit.6 at Union Audio.
Omnitronic TRM-202MK3
At just £389, the TRM-202 is by far our cheapest selection; German brand Omnitronic is best known for affordable products rather than high-end audiophile kit. The sound of the TRM is certainly a step below any of the more expensive options and the build quality is slightly low (although aftermarket wood kits are available, which make the whole thing much prettier). However, it fits the bill as a first rotary mixer for DJs who are unsure whether they’ll enjoy the feel of rotary faders. You may not get the full hi-fi experience, but the ergonomics are similar to mixers four or five times the price.
Find out more about the Omnitronic TRM-202 at Thomann.
Ecler WARM2
Ecler WARM2Ecler, a mixer manufacturer based in Barcelona, released WARM2 as a comeback in 2022 after a 13-year hiatus. It’s a really elegant-looking, narrow, high-quality two-channel analogue rotary DJ mixer. With two phono/line channels, a micro/line channel, sharp filters, a 4th order Isolator, and a compact portable design, this mixer ensures a “warm and exceptionally clear analogue sound experience”, says Ecler.
The mixer is inspired by The Warehouse, an old legendary venue in Chicago that played a huge role in the development of house music. There are “Alps Blue Velvet” potentiometers that make for “seamless mixing perfection”. Explore expanded performance possibilities through the built-in 4th order isolator, which allows you to sculpt frequencies, add intensity to acapella tracks, enrich musical riffs, or effortlessly create tremolo effects with swift knob manipulation.
Find out more about the Ecler WARM2 at Ecler.
Find deals at Thomann.
Bozak AR-6
Aside from maybe the UREI 1620 of the early 80s, the 1970s Bozak CMA-10-2DL is the definitive rotary mixer. It was originally hacked together from public-address-system mixers by Rudy Bozak, under encouragement from New York club-sound system guru Alex Rosner.
Modern Bozak mixers might be a few steps removed from those classic originals (they’re now produced in the UK by a new company with the rights to the name) and the AR-6 isn’t identical to the classic CMA, but a lot of the DNA is clearly visible, from the no-nonsense front -panel layout through to the discrete analogue circuits inside.
Find out more about the Bozak AR-6 at Bozak.
Condesa Lucia
It’s a measure of the global popularity of rotary mixers that brands have sprung up around the world to meet the demand for subtly different options. Australia’s Condesa Electronics is one of the more boutique brands, offering a small range of handbuilt mixers with a nice level of customisation as part of the order process.
The Lucia is in the middle of the range, aimed at travelling DJs or purists thanks to its small, portable format – the cheaper Allegra is a rackmount model, while the larger Carmen models add more features. We’ll take ours in blonde wood with a black anodised faceplate and the optional travel case, please.
Find out more about the Condesa Lucia at Condesa Electronics.
Bozak AR-4
The little brother to the more retro AR-6, the AR-4 is a four-channel desktop unit with a broadly similar layout and feature set to other contemporary mixers. It might be a little surprising that it’s actually more expensive than the more fully featured AR-6. But you’re paying a premium for the nicer case, wooden side cheeks, VU meters, and slicker finish, compared to the rough-and-ready utilitarian 19-inch rack enclosure of the AR-6. Neither mixer is a bad choice by any means, with similar electronics at their heart. It’s a solid option, harking back to a 70s icon.
Find out more about the Bozak AR-4 at Bozak.
E&S DJR 400
The recent flurry of interest around rotary mixers can be attributed in large part to Parisian electronic engineer Jerôme Barbé of E&S. Originally commissioned by DJ Deep to repair his vintage UREI mixer, Barbé took on board his creative input and developed a new mixer from scratch, with the intention of updating the classic rotary mixer sound for modern use. A few design iterations later, the DJR 400 is the flagship model in E&S’s small range.
Find out more about the E&S DJR 400 at electronique-spectacle.com.
SuperStereo DN78-II
Manufactured in the UK by Formula Sound, the DN78 is available in a few different specifications, but the overall approach is common to all models: super retro in design (you can even spec Bakelite knobs if you fancy a bit of a steampunk vibe), but with modern high-end sound quality.
The unique selling point here is the Phantom Valve output stage, designed to add classic valve warmth to the signal. Unlike the MasterSounds Radius 4V, which uses valves as a very subtle buffer, the DN78 pushes the saturation a bit harder but allows you to bypass the valve stage if you don’t want to colour the signal.
Find out more about the SuperStereo DN78-II at SuperStereo.
Rane MP2015
A lot of big names have made rotary mixers over the years – including the likes of Pioneer DJ, Allen & Heath and the now-defunct Vestax – but the balance of power has shifted recently, leaving smaller upstarts in charge of the majority of the market.
The one exception is Rane, whose MP2015 remains the last real option from the bigger commercial brands. Notably different in approach to the boutique models, the four-channel MP2015 includes digital inputs for CDJs, plus USB ports for Traktor/Serato compatibility. An interesting halfway house, but we suspect many rotary devotees will prefer a more simple analogue approach.
Find out more about the Rane MP2015 at Rane.
Varia Instruments RDM40
Switzerland’s Varia Instruments has upgraded its luscious two-channel RDM20 to a four-channel behemoth, the RDM40. Sporting large knobs and a minimal design, this would fit in an old research lab just as well as in your DJ setup. With a smooth three-band 12db/octave isolator on each channel and a steeper 24db/octave one on the master channel, you should have plenty of options for creative mixing.
The glorious solid-metal mixer has been in the works for a couple of years now, with Varia Instruments sending out the first batch in January 2021. This mixer, with its VU meters, signal level LEDs and robust build, is ideal for retro-future fanatics.
Find out more about the Varia Instruments RDM40 at Varia Instruments.
Alpha Recording System MODEL9900
Image: Alpha Recording SystemARS Model 9900BW Music Mixer Pro is a high-end, beautiful Japanese-made 6-channel rotary DJ mixer, featuring a world-first 3-band hybrid ISOEQ (HI-EQ, MID-EQ, LOW-ISO) on each channel. The flagship tabletop mixer boasts precision craftsmanship with Alps potentiometers and switches. It includes a 3-band isolator on the master, post-fader send on each channel, and various output options, including XLR. Designed for professional use, it has no power switch to prevent accidental shutdown during performances, and the circuit boards are separated to minimise power noise.
Find out more about the ARS MODEL9900 at ARS.
AlphaTheta Euphonia
AlphaTheta Euphonia. Image: Simon Vinall for MusicTechIf you’re looking for a pedigree in audio technology, you won’t find many more legendary designers than Rupert Neve Designs. The brand behind music production’s most coveted gear co-created this plush rotary mixer with iconic DJ company, AlphaTheta.
Delivering the clearest sound quality to most accurately reproduce the expression of the music, the Euphonia uses high-quality 32-bit A/D and D/A converters and 96kHz/64bit floating point mixing processing operations in its DSP circuits. Its custom-designed rotary faders each have an elastomer applied to the outer circumference to create a comfortable and reliable grip as well as a high level of vibration absorption.z
The mixer also uses a uniquely developed Mix Level Meter with a needle meter for each channel, enabling you to visually check the levels for all channels and mix smoothly. You can even monitor the balance of the master output by looking at the Spectrum Analyzer, which helps you keep your mixes sounding consistent and smooth even when performing longer sets.
You can read our interview with the makers to find out more about its design.
Find out more about the AlphaTheta Euphonia at AlphaTheta.
Union Audio Two Valve / Four Valve
Union Audio Four Valve rotary mixer. Image: PressPreviously released under the MasterSounds brand, these gorgeous Union Audio rotary mixers sound as stunning as they look. Designed for DJs and audiophiles who love the sound of analogue hardware and valves, each channel features pristine-quality phono and line inputs — two and four channels respectively — and smooth rotary faders, an Innofader crossfader, precise EQ controls and an intuitive interface that allows DJs to create dynamic and engaging mixes effortlessly.
Build quality and classic sound are key here. From the smooth rotary faders to the robust metal chassis, these mixers are constructed with top-quality materials to allow exceptional performance and reliability. Delivering consistent, high-quality sound, the four and two valve models are ideal for professional DJs looking to take their performances to the next level.
Price
- 4 Valve – £1,975
- 2 Valve – £1,475
Find out more about the Two Valve and Four Valve mixers at Union Audio.
Resor 3300
Resor 3300. Image: PressResor’s elegant rotary mixer boasts a discrete class-A Master Isolator, 3-Band EQ per channel, dedicated microphone input with volume control, four Phono/Line preamps and Urei-style knobs. Each of its four channels features phono and line inputs and with the phono preamps delivering 44 dB of gain it’s perfectly suited to both vinyl and digital sources.
You are also able to specify an additional level of customisation ranging from adding an FX bus to changing the combination of colours for the faceplate to different wood finishes and knob options. With the added F-bus the Resor 3300 FX offers even more possibilities to expand your setup further by adding an external FX unit and applying those individually to channels. Your purchase gets you a travel case, class-A discrete circuitry, 3 Years Warranty, an external power supply, 24 dB (4-pole) 3 band Master Isolator, Cue/Mix switch for the VU meter and Isolator True Bypass Switch.
Price
- €2,950
Find out more about the Resor 3300 at Resor.
Resor 2500
Resor 2500. Image: PressThe company’s first ever 2-channel discrete rotary mixer, the 2500 looks resplendent in its multiple available colours and finishes – and will take a number of weeks for the company to custom build for every order. Channels 1 and 2 are selectable between line and phono inputs, while each has a 2-band Baxandall EQ with bass +/- 18 dB (at 150 Hz) and treble: +/- 12dB (at 10 kHz).
Your very special order will get you 2 x Analog VU Meters (1VRMS = 0db), Rotary Switch to CUE between Channels ONE & TWO, Cue/Mix Blend potentiometer, a PSU and a waterproof travel case. It’s also available with an additional FX section for adding hardware effects into the signal path, and as a 2525 model, which includes a Master Isolator with a bypass toggle switch.
Price
- €1,889
Find out more about the Resor 2500 at Resor.
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