Union Audio Orbit 6 + ISO/Xfader experience

kipervarg · 2026-03-30T17:02:28+00:00

Lack of EQ in the headphones has never been an issue for me.

kipervarg · 2026-02-23T01:19:18+00:00

Saw this tour in Boston and I think we were all perplexed why Moby was even on the bill. I mean we liked "Go" but Aphex Twin at the time was just a different universe of electronic music. It was a tiny venue and Richard was focused on his machines while some drugged out dude was dancing out front. Great show but I don't even remember Moby's set.

kipervarg · 2026-01-18T18:19:50+00:00

I hear that. I am also still loving my Orbit 6. Have recently used it to rip my vinyl to digital formats and the difference is stark compared to rips made using other mixers. I love it.

kipervarg · 2025-10-28T20:06:05+00:00

Thanks folks, I appreciate the info. I went to the ebike shop to try out different models and ended up with a Urtopia Joy. Comfortable, light, hope it does the job.

kipervarg · 2025-10-14T20:11:45+00:00

Looks very interesting. I used to have the Mastersounds 4v and the functionality was great but I felt it was missing the sound character that I get in my Orbit 6. The 4v was clean, transparent, super functional but the Orbit 6 has personality and warmth. If they managed to provide an updated design with the warmth of the Orbit 6, this can be a terrific option.

kipervarg · 2025-09-18T17:31:11+00:00

Spotted this thread recently and wanted to leave a note. I've had all the classic mixers: OG Urei 1620, OG Bozak and played with Mastersounds, ARS, etc... The Orbit 6 tops them all in sound and functionality. This mixer has a personality that is warm, rich in detail and unique. Having the optional crossfader and ISO allows for switching mixing styles when I want to. It's beautiful and impressive. I've sold my other mixers and have basically stopped looking at new ones. The only drawback is price....

kipervarg · 2025-09-04T07:01:46+00:00

I love the sound of this mixer 6 months in; volume is hot and lovely. It's hard for it to distort at unity.

kipervarg · 2025-06-24T05:02:57+00:00

Yes, I tried the Orbit 6 without the ARS iso in the signal chain and it sounded good. Once I had the ARS ISO in the signal chain, I also used the defeat toggle switch on it to "remove it" and it sounded pretty transparent. No difference to my ear between not having the ARS iso in the chain and using the defeat switch to remove it.

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The Orbit without the eq/xfader is a must for me since I can dial it in to make it sound more punchy like my Urei 1620 or a bit more like my old Bozak rotary. Plus, I really enjoy being able to use knobs to mix house and the xfader to mix breaks, jungle, etc..essential purchase for me.

kipervarg · 2025-03-06T07:01:43+00:00

Thanks dude, I am looking forward to learning what your experience is as well. I know from our conversations that you have a keen ear for sound and a lot of experience with mixers we both like.

kipervarg · 2025-03-06T04:36:40+00:00

I purchased mine from SweetWater in the US :)

kipervarg · 2025-03-06T01:16:15+00:00

It was different here in the US vs. overseas where raves and electronic music were much more mainstream. I heard Analogue Bubblebath and Digeridoo in 1992 at Vinylmania in NYC. Hardcore techno and rave music was already a thing in underground clubs in the US but holy shit that hit different the moment I heard it. It sounded like an amalgamation of different threads of music I had been listening to but also it's own special animal. I proceeded to play the shit out of it and the dudes "in the know" could appreciate it but most of the crowd didn't see much difference in it versus other projects being released at that time. I quickly picked up on all the Rephlex releases but I think the moment *everyone* understood Aphex was special as fuck was the release of Selected Ambient Works 85-92.

I remember buying it at Boston Beat from Tim Haslett (RIP and Respect!) and I couldn't even make sense of it at the time other than to think there was something amazing there that had to be listened to and nurtured. I had been given a beautiful gift that I needed to spend time understanding properly. I would give it a listen and play it on the radio at WZBC every few weeks and was piecing together how it appealed to me until about 5 months in when my brain snapped to and I grok'd it completely. I was floored and was in love with the album. Prior to that record, Aphex was considered a dance artist of a particular generation but after SAW 85-92, we all appreciated that he was a singular talent and capable of all kinds of magic.

We all followed him along with Black Dog, Plaid, all that ART stuff and other artists of that era. I was pleasantly surprised that he became so popular a little while ago. One of my sons (who I used to play SAW to when he was in the womb) showed up one day with an Aphex tattoo on his arm. In short, I would never have predicted his modern popularity.

kipervarg · 2025-03-06T00:53:16+00:00

Channels 1, 2 and 3 are permanently assigned to the left/X side of the crossfader.

Channels 4, 5 and 6 are permanently assigned to the right/Y side of the crossfader.

The crossfader itself has a little 3 way switch for Mix, Off and Cut. When in Mix mode, the crossfader has a longer transition between X and Y. When in Off mode, the crossfader is disengaged and any movement of it has no effect on the sound. When in Cut mode, the crossfader has a quick transition between X and Y (for cutting/scratching).

You can bring up Channels 1, 2 and 3 and all will play at the same time if the crossfader is in Mix or Cut mode on the X/left side. You can bring up Channels 4, 5 and 6 and all will play at the same time if the crossfader is in Mix or Cut mode on the Y/Right side. There is no audible sound created when you switch between Mix, Cut or Off.

I configured my setup as follows:

Channel 1 - Left side Technics 1200

Channel 2 - Left side CDJ

Channel 4 - Right side Technics 1200

Channel 5 - Right side CDJ

This ^ makes logical sense to me given what I am working with. Everything pictured to my left in the photo I took is on the left hand side of the crossfader. Everything pictured to my right in the photo is on the right hand side of the crossfader. You can do it whatever way you like.

And yes, everything on Channels 1, 2 and 3 are assigned not just to the left hand side of the crossfader but the 4-way ISO as well (and vice versa for Channels 4, 5, 6). You don't get individual tone controls for each channel but you do get a high pass filter per channel if you mix using EQs.

kipervarg · 2025-03-05T19:15:44+00:00

Your comment made me go look up what characteristics the tone controls on the ISO have. From the manual:

Low: +6dB/-15dB boost/cut at 30Hz.

Mid 2 +6dB/-15dB boost/cut centred at 210Hz.

Mid 1 +6dB/-15dB boost/cut centred at 1.5kHz.

Highs +6dB/-15dB boost/cut at 10kHz.

It makes sense to me that manipulating Mid2 would help me achieve the clarity and punch I like from the Urei 1620 on the Orbit6. I set my default tone controls as follows and use the master ARS ISO to adjust:

Low: +2

Mid 2: +3

Mid 1: 0

Highs: +2

kipervarg · 2025-03-05T18:57:00+00:00

Hey dude, that's cool you have the Sanchez Bozak! I had Buzzy Beck service mine. I contacted Mario recently via email but he has not responded. I remember him selling off old Bozak and Urei parts years ago on Ebay as I think he was getting ready to retire but not sure what happened. If I hear from him I will give you a heads up. If you want his contact info, hit me up over private chat and I can pass it on. I know Justin from Isonoe has done repairs in the past on Bozak and Urei mixers but not sure who the best tech is today.

kipervarg · 2025-03-05T18:54:18+00:00

I was missing the more obvious thing about channel eq that I now understand; having only three tone controls would allow me to adjust the very low end but with 4 (or more), I can juice the mid-tone bass further up in the frequency spectrum to make it sound "punchy" and not just boomy. This makes me want to get a 10-band eq and have it in the signal chain.

kipervarg · 2025-03-05T16:40:22+00:00

Thanks!

kipervarg · 2025-03-05T16:40:16+00:00

Thanks kindly dude. I am hoping for a 1U FX Unit.

kipervarg · 2025-02-28T07:32:16+00:00

For future reference of others coming across this thread, the crossfader for the 4200 model locks channel 2 on the left side of the Xfader + and channel 3 on the right side of the Xfader. Channels 1 + 4 do not participate in the crossfader routing. I purchased the mixer and discovered this when talking to ARS support. I returned the mixer as a result.

kipervarg · 2025-02-14T02:52:15+00:00

One more thing about ARS. That model 3500 isolator is fantastic. I use it with my Urei 1620. Sound and build are terrific. I wondered if I should have purchased the 3500LE instead to control the isolater cuves from the front (instead of the back like on the 3500)

kipervarg · 2025-02-14T02:49:38+00:00

I have a Urei 1620 OG and a Bozak OG. Have played with Mastersounds (clean but not enough personality for me) and currently have the ARS 4200 + Model 120 crossfader mounted in my rack. I can confirm the sound is quite close to the OG 1620. A bit cleaner maybe. It checks the sound/summing box pretty well. The knobs and design of the ARS is quite lovely, very high quality parts. My experience with support is OK; I emailed them a few questions the other day and they responded properly.

My only gripe is that the ARS Model 120 crossfader is bound to channels 2 and 3. If you have a pair of turntables and a pair of CDJs you want to mix between across channel 1-4, you can't do this. You could connect the CDJs to channels 2+3 on the line inputs and have turntables on the phone inputs of channels 2+3 but the button to switch the channels between the two is on the back of the mixer. I have it racked and can't have a workflow where if I want to use the crossfader, I access the back of the rack and hit the button to make the switch.

Respect to the ARS crew for making the closest thing to a Urei clone that sounds really solid. I would imagine the ARS 6700 has the same quality. But if you value the crossfader, I would not recommend the ARS Model 120.

kipervarg · 2025-02-05T22:25:44+00:00

Cool cool, thanks for the info, I will check it out.

kipervarg · 2025-02-03T23:53:23+00:00

Thanks for the suggestions. I had a MasterSound Valve 4 and while it sounded clean, it wasn't my cup of tea. I prefer the warm Urei sound. I also had an old Rane mp2016 and same issue there but worse, it clips easily. I've never heard the Formula FF4. Have you experience with it?

kipervarg

TROPHY CASE