The Awe Inspiring Union Audio Elara.6 – Review By Magnetic and Junior Sanchez

In the world of boutique analog mixers, there are only a handful of names that command instant respect. Union Audio is one of them. Founded by Andy Rigby‑Jones—best known for his pivotal role in designing legendary mixers for Allen & Heath (think Xone:92 and its peers) and PLAYDifferently Model series with Richie Hawtin—Union Audio has quietly but confidently become the go‑to for purists and audiophiles who demand nothing but the best. Based in Cornwall, UK, their reputation has grown through high‑caliber collaborations with MasterSounds and from professionals who demand and respect high-quality analog mixers. With the Elara.6, Union Audio steps out into the spotlight with a world-class club mixer with a six‑channel analog powerhouse that screams refinement, intention, and obsession. We teamed up with Junior Sanchez to get his thoughts alongside our review to give you two points of view. Sanchez knows his way around a mixer, has played on just about eveything and doesn’t mince words or hold back from sharing his opinion, and the Elara.6 catches some serious praise. We also got the man himself, Andy Rigby-Jones, to chime in, so here is a very lengthy review with two different takes and thoughts from its creator. This mixer is what you would call a Mercedes AMG-class machine; it is not for amateurs, it is built by hand, and it will put a dent in your wallet. If any of these things cause you to pause, this mixer is not for you, and you can stop reading now. On the Magnetic side, I’ve spent over 40 hours playing on the Elara.6 with every genre, on vinyl and CDJs. I used both linear faders and rotary, and ended up sticking with the rotary because I like that slow-burn mixing style and the exactness of the control. The Elara.6 is now a centerpiece of my primary DJ setup, and the Union Audio two.valve rotary mixer is holding court in my kitchen with two Pioneer DJ PLX-1000s. So you might say I’m a Union Audio convert, let’s go. Here is why the Elara.6 is getting the Editor’s Choice Award for 2025. Magnetic Magazine Review by David Ireland More Info / To Buy Elara.6 check out www.UnionAudio.com Union Audio Elara.6 DJ Mixer Who is the Elara.6 For? As I eluded to earlier, this isn’t a mixer for beginners—or even intermediate DJs looking to upgrade from plastic jog wheels and blinking VU‑meters. The Elara.6 is for DJs, producers, audiophiles, and sound designers who want their music to sound exceptional. Whether you’re spinning records in a sweaty booth or building immersive audio experiences in a gallery space, this mixer is for those who want precision, flexibility, and the kind of tone you only get from elite‑level analog circuits. Build Quality: Every Detail Counts From the moment you lift the Elara.6 out of its flight case or box, you sense something different. The faceplate is fully machined alloy—a brushed, smooth finish that gives zero hint of cheap shortcuts. The knobs feel confident. Each turn is precise with no wobble. The faders are weighted, silky, and linear—no dead zones, no sudden jumps. The rotary knobs are equally as strong, although some might argue they are a bit cramped, but I didn’t find that to be a problem. During a recent breakdown video, Andy Rigby‑Jones explained that the fader modules are mounted on thick steel plates and that the internal chassis uses anti‑vibration mounting. Posted above for reference. This build isn’t just about looks—it’s about engineering for longevity, stability, and sound integrity. Even the internal power supply is a universal, internal module (no bulky external bricks), which means cleaner routing and fewer compromises. Routing that kind of power quietly through analog circuits without introducing hum or interference is no small feat. The faceplate presents a minimalist aesthetic—no flashing LEDs screaming for attention. Instead, you get a calm, confident look that whispers, “I know you know what you are doing, let’s do it.” The layout is thoughtful: each channel strip is spacious, ergonomically placed so you don’t accidentally bump the gain while adjusting the EQ. The 4‑band EQ knobs, filter controls, width/drive controls, and fader plate—everything is there with breathing room. One standout detail: you can swap the line‑faders for rotary faders in under a minute by switching out the fader plates. That modular flexibility shows that Union Audio didn’t just build for today—they built for multiple styles of DJing. Again, the only complaint might be if you are using the rotary knobs vs. the linear faders; some have found the rotary version too cramped. In short: The Elara.6 is expensive and feels that way—but not precious. It’s built to survive club use, travel, and time, while also delivering the tactile satisfaction of a hi‑end studio console. You sense you’ve used it before because everything responds exactly as you expect. Features and Interface: Intentional Design, No Gimmicks What makes the Elara.6 so addictive is its layout that opens into a universe of sonic