Union Audio Orbit.2 LE Rotary Mixer Review

Video Review

First Impressions / Setting up

The Orbit.2 LE impresses right away with its solid all-metal construction and premium feel. Despite being Union Audio’s “entry-level” offering, “entry-level” feels misleading when you’re holding what feels like a genuinely premium piece of kit. The precision Alps rotary controls move with that satisfying resistance that make you think they’ll last decades, not years – the kind of components that could survive a nuclear blast. The backlit analogue VU meters behind pearl glass aren’t just functional, they’re genuinely beautiful, providing that warm glow that immediately signals this isn’t your typical budget mixer.

When powered up, the yellow, blue, and red indicator lights create a beautiful retro atmosphere. Despite being a professional mixer, there’s something undeniably cute about its compact nine-inch width – it’s both small and hefty, modest yet extremely well built. You can immediately feel the hand-built quality from Union Audio’s UK factory, with everything bolted securely to the metal chassis and an attention to detail that’s rare at this price point.

Setting Up

Set-up is refreshingly straightforward for a professional mixer. The DC power brick connects easily, though it does feel like a slight compromise on an otherwise premium unit – an IEC socket would have been preferable. The compact size means it could easily fit in a record bag alongside your vinyl, an obvious advantage over larger rotary mixers.

Connecting turntables is simple with both phono (with RIAA preamp) and line inputs available on each channel, plus a proper earthing post for grounding your decks. The layout follows classic rotary principles: each of the two channels features a high-pass filter, trim control, FX send (with pre/post switch), and the main rotary volume control.

The mixer integrates seamlessly into any set-up with comprehensive connectivity: balanced XLR master outputs, booth outputs on balanced jacks, RCA record outputs, and auxiliary send/return circuits with master insert jacks for external processing. Modern touches include both 1/4″ and 1/8″ headphone sockets, making it compatible with any headphones without adapters.

In Use

The Orbit.2 LE excels at what it’s designed for: pure, unadulterated analogue mixing. Sound quality is where the mixer justifies its pedigree. Despite being the “affordable” option in Union Audio’s lineup, the sound on this mixer is exceptional. The high-quality phono preamps handle vinyl with clarity and warmth, while line inputs sound equally impressive. There’s that characteristic analogue warmth that rotary mixer enthusiasts seek, without any harshness or obvious colouration – that pure analogue signal path delivers engagement that digital mixers struggle to replicate.

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The lack of per-channel EQs might initially seem limiting, but this is intentional design philosophy rather than cost-cutting. In practice, the combination of the three-band isolator (covering low, mid, and high frequencies with crossovers between 110Hz and 3KHz) and high-pass filters on each channel provides exactly what’s needed for smooth, sophisticated mixing. The isolator deserves special mention – it offers more surgical control than typical EQ sections, providing excellent flexibility for shaping your mix.

This set-up is particularly effective for vinyl DJing, where you can knock the bass out of the outgoing track with the high-pass filter, bring in the new track, and fine-tune the overall sound with the isolator. For DJs new to rotary mixing, the LE2 provides an excellent introduction to the format, with high-pass filters that feel intuitive and respond naturally for frequency-conscious blending.

The mixer’s greatest strength for me is what I’d call its “focused simplicity”. Rather than overwhelming users with unnecessary features, it provides exactly what’s needed for quality mixing, making you rely more on track selection and the master isolator for tonal shaping – arguably making you a better DJ in the process. It certainly feels more zen than a mixer with everything on it and then some!

The compact size is generally an advantage for portability, but the control layout requires some adjustment if you’re used to larger mixers. Everything is within easy reach, but there’s a learning curve that involves developing muscle memory for the specific positioning of controls. I certainly prefer using this one to the idea of using its effect-laden bigger brother, which does look a little bit cramped.

The headphone section offers both Split Cue and Cue/Mix functionality, and the VU meters provide accurate visual feedback – a practical touch.

The minimalist approach does mean fewer creative options compared to feature-heavy mixers. There are no built-in effects on this version, no complex EQ sections, and no fancy digital features. But for many users, particularly those working with vinyl or seeking an authentic analogue experience, this is a feature rather than a limitation. The auxiliary send/return circuit provides flexibility for adding external effects like a delay pedal when needed, maintaining the mixer’s clean aesthetic while still allowing expansion.

Conclusion

The Union Audio Orbit.2 LE successfully carries forward the legacy of the MasterSounds Radius series. Essentially replacing the MasterSounds Radius 2 and designed by the same engineer (Andy Rigby-Jones), it offers similar sound quality and build standards. It’s a mixer that prioritises quality over quantity – fewer features executed well rather than a laundry list of capabilities. The build quality, sound quality, and user experience all punch above the asking price. While this isn’t cheap by conventional DJ mixer standards, within the boutique rotary mixer world, it’s relatively accessible.

It’s good for vinyl enthusiasts who value authentic analogue sound and tactile mixing experience, ideal for boutique DJs who need something portable yet professional, and particularly suited to those working with older vinyl or 7″ singles (like me!) where the high-pass filters and overall EQ are all you really need.

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It’s not for DJs who rely heavily on built-in effects, need extensive per-channel EQ options, or prefer the precision of fader-based mixing. Digital DJs might find the feature set too limited compared to controller-based alternatives. The lack of individual channel EQs will divide opinion, but this is rotary mixing philosophy rather than limitation.

It succeeds as both an entry point into high-end rotary mixing and as a professional tool for experienced DJs seeking portable, high-quality analogue mixing. Most importantly, it doesn’t compromise on the fundamentals: sound quality, build integrity, and musical functionality.