The best rotary mixers to buy in 2023: 12 best mixers for DJs

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.

• READ MORE: Five of the best free software and apps for DJs

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
• MasterSounds 4 Valve MK2
• E&S DJR 400
• SuperStereo DN78-II
• Rane MP2015
• Varia Instruments RDM40
• Alpha Recording System Model 6700

Union Audio Orbit.6

Union 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.

Channels: Six
Inputs: 4x RIAA & 8x Line inputs
Outputs: N/A
Dimensions: N/A
Weight: N/A

The Orbit.6 retails at £4575. Find out more at unionaudio.co.uk

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.

Channels: Two
Inputs: 2x RCA Line, 2x RCA Phono, 1x XLR
Outputs: XLR/RCA Master Out, XLR/RCA Booth, RCA Record Out, 6.3mm headphone out
Dimensions: 235 x 190 x 95 mm
Weight: 3kg

Retails for $318/£389.

Find out more at thomann.

Ecler WARM2

Ecler, 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.

Channels: Two
Inputs: 1 Microphone input, 2x Phono inputs, 3x Line inputs
Outputs: XLR/RCA master output, RCA monitor output
Dimensions: 185 x 400 x 100 mm
Weight: 3.6 kg

Ecler’s WARM2 retails at around £585. Find out more information at eclerdj.com

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.

Channels: Six (Two for phono, two for line, two for mic)
Inputs: 4x RCA Line/Phono, 2x RCA Line, 2x XLR Mic, 5x RCA Aux Line, 2x TRS Loop circuit, 6x TRS Return
Outputs: XLR/RCA Master Out, XLR Booth out, RCA Booth Out, RCA Tape, TRS Mono Master Out, 6x TRS Send, TRS Headphone Out
Dimensions: 133 x 483 x 203 mm (3U Rack)
Weight: 6kg

Retails for $2,020/£1,599. Learn more at bozak.com.

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.

Channels: Two
Inputs: 2x RCA Line, 2x RCA Phono, 2x RCA Return
Outputs: XLR/RCA Master Out, TRS Booth Out, RCA Rec Out, RCA Send, TRS Headphone Out
Dimensions: 250 x 250 x 90 mm
Weight:4 4kg

Retails from $2,375/£1,731. Learn more at condesaelectronics.com.

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.

Channels: Four
Inputs: 4x RCA Line, 3x RCA Phono, XLR Mic, TRS Loop circuit
Outputs: XLR/RCA Master, XLR/RCA Booth, TRS Headphone Out
Dimensions: 440 x 430 x 220 mm
Weight: 6kg

Retails for $2,145/£1,695. Learn more at bozak.com. 

MasterSounds Four Valve MK2

If you’re a reader of MusicTech, you’ll know we’re big fans of MasterSounds‘ rotary mixers. Its updated series of two and four-valve mixers are made with pure love and dedication and the brand’s mixers are starting to pop up more and more in nightclubs throughout the UK and beyond.

We featured the brand’s Two Valve MK2 on our cover in May 2023 as part of our interview with the company’s founder, Ryan Shaw, and avid MasterSounds affiliate and DJ, the wonderful Luke Una. Shaw said: “With the MK1, we wanted to create a club-standard DJ mixer with fewer features that was all about sound quality. The MK2 keeps the original form but adds to the performance. It’s also about the build inside – high-specification components, and a beautiful circuit design. When you mix on a rotary, it’s an experience. It’s a mixer you can fall in love with. Some are great to play on, but they don’t give you that feeling like it’s your first mix at Café Mambo every single time.”

Channels: Four
Inputs: N/A
Outputs: N/A
Dimensions: 350 x 458 x 80 mm
Weight: 4.75 kg

Retails for $2,879. Learn more at mastersounds.co.uk

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.

It’s a portable, four-channel unit with built-in isolator and effects loops. A relatively minimal approach by some people’s standards, but it does everything most DJs need. More importantly, it sounds amazing.

Channels: Four
Inputs: 3x RCA Line, 3x RCA Line, RCA Return
Outputs: XLR/RCA Master Out, XLR/RCA Booth Out, RCA Send, TRS Headphone Out
Dimensions: 280 x 210 x 70
Weight: 2.8kg

Price on application. Learn more 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.

Channels: Two
Inputs: 2x RCA Line, 2x RCA Phono, 1x XLR/TRS Mic, TRS return
Outputs: XLR/RCA Master Out, XLR/RCA Booth Out, TRS Send, TRS Headphone out
Dimensions: 340 x 100 x 240 mm
Weight: 3.3kg

Retails for $2,847/£2,250. Learn more at superstereo.co.uk.

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.

Channels: Four
Inputs: 4x RCA Phono, 4x RCA Line, 2x USB, 2x XLR/TRS Mic, 6x S/PDIF, RCA Aux Input, RCA Send, RCA Session Input,
Outputs: XLR Main Out, TRS Booth, RCA Session out, 2x USB, RCA Return, TRS Headphone Out
Dimensions: 355 x 333 x 830
Weight: 5.7kg

Retails for $2,899/£2,315. Learn more at rane.com.

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.

Channels: Four
Inputs: 4x RCA Line, 3x RCA Phono, XLR Mic, TRS Return
Outputs: XLR Master, TRS Booth, RCA Rec, TRS Send, TRS Headphone
Dimensions: 345 x 360 x 190 mm
Weight: 5.5kg

Retails for $3,774/£2,746. Learn more at varia-instruments.com.

Alpha Recording System Model 6700

If you’re looking for the ultimate, this might just be it. As the flagship of the ARS range, the 6700 initially looks similar to a classic Bozak mixer, but closer inspection reveals that it’s a much more advanced affair. Other than ARS’s self-proclaimed “handmade Japanese precision engineering”, the real selling point here is the presence of dedicated three-band isolators on each channel, plus a five-band master EQ.

The Model 6700 is like a Bozak on steroids, built to an insanely high standard and with unparalleled sound quality. It’s big, bold and beautiful… the only downside? That price tag. Ouch.

Channels: Six
Inputs: 3x RCA Phono, 9x RCA Line, RCA Loop, RCA Return
Outputs: XLR/RCA Main, XLR Booth, RCA Rec, RCA Loop, RCA Send, TRS Headphone
Dimensions: 482 x 176 x 195
Weight: 11kg

Retails for $6,178/£5,849. Learn more at ars.tokyo.co.jp.