DJing On A Turntable Is Dead, Technics Kills Off The SL-1210 Turntable

SL1210-MK5-1

This is unconfirmed by Technics, but DJ equipment retailer DMC says that DJing on a turntable is officially dead – Technics is discontinuing the classic SL-1210 MK5 Direct Drive Turntable:

Panasonic (the manufacturer of Technics) have announced that production of the world famous Technics SL-1200 and SL-1210 DJ turntables will stop at the end of February 2010.

If you are interested in securing a pair of the legendary turntables before they are gone, we have a limited number left in stock at DMC.

Is traditionally DJing really dead? Let me know what you think!

44 thoughts on “DJing On A Turntable Is Dead, Technics Kills Off The SL-1210 Turntable

  1. it's because of these digital dj that don't know how to use a tech 12. they let the programs do what use real dj took years to learn! RESPECT THE REAL!!!

  2. it's because of these digital dj that don't know how to use a tech 12. they let the programs do what use real dj took years to learn! RESPECT THE REAL!!!

  3. lol…I remember hearing this same exact rumor in 2006 but Technics were supposed to stop being sold in January, 2007. I’ll believe it when I see it.

  4. I think the arguement between real dj's spinning vinyl is a stupid one. an artist uses instruments and tools to create something for the listener, each set of tools has their own challenges and rewards.

    as far as technics killing their turntables. its sad to see them go, i'll make sure to keep my pair in good working order. but i don't think it means vinyl dj'ing is dead. it just means panasonic feels that dedicating the man hours and machines to producing and selling those turntables isnt as lucrative for them as they would like it to be and they will most likely get better profit margins producing more tv's instead. for smaller companies that specialize in dj equipment i'm sure they will continue to pump out vinyl turntables like vestax or numark. too bad this happened to the industry standard.

  5. it's the only way too make ure they become true legends! I don't think i will ever stop mixing my vinyl. But, times are a changing darlings! Digital is soo much more versatile!

  6. it's the only way too make ure they become true legends! I don't think i will ever stop mixing my vinyl. But, times are a changing darlings! Digital is soo much more versatile!

  7. I think the arguement between real dj's spinning vinyl is a stupid one. an artist uses instruments and tools to create something for the listener, each set of tools has their own challenges and rewards.

    as far as technics killing their turntables. its sad to see them go, i'll make sure to keep my pair in good working order. but i don't think it means vinyl dj'ing is dead. it just means panasonic feels that dedicating the man hours and machines to producing and selling those turntables isnt as lucrative for them as they would like it to be and they will most likely get better profit margins producing more tv's instead. for smaller companies that specialize in dj equipment i'm sure they will continue to pump out vinyl turntables like vestax or numark. too bad this happened to the industry standard.

  8. I think the arguement between real dj's spinning vinyl is a stupid one. an artist uses instruments and tools to create something for the listener, each set of tools has their own challenges and rewards.

    as far as technics killing their turntables. its sad to see them go, i'll make sure to keep my pair in good working order. but i don't think it means vinyl dj'ing is dead. it just means panasonic feels that dedicating the man hours and machines to producing and selling those turntables isnt as lucrative for them as they would like it to be and they will most likely get better profit margins producing more tv's instead. for smaller companies that specialize in dj equipment i'm sure they will continue to pump out vinyl turntables like vestax or numark. too bad this happened to the industry standard.

    1. “Ego” What are you talking about.. I’ll tell you where the ego comes from these new digital wannaby DJ’s, with there easy convenient equipment, that basically does the DJing for them..
      I hear this shit all the time from Digital DJ’s that it’s a lot easier to carry around a Laptop or a small bag or CD’s than records…WTF..!!
      Real DJ’s don’t give a monkey’s if it’s easier or not, they did as I did, for the Love, for the Passion…!! Sorry I’m all for progress if it’s better, though it not… It’s all been done with profit in mind, without a care for quality.
      The production side of digital is amazing and I’m loving it, though as many a pro-sound engineers have said, it’s all now completely pointless when it’s final destination is on a 44.1kHz, CD with a 20hz -20kHz frequency range or even worse a heavily compressed MP3..!!
      I am really disappointed that these decks have been discontinued as it’s all for the wrong reasons..

      Digital is an alternative, not a replacement…!!

  9. No way!

    Look at the early versions of the 1200's, they're still going so strong.

    There's always going to be a vinyl following with DJing, you can't beat digging through crates.

    It's a real shame if they ended the line but with these things will be around forever, long live vinyl 😀

  10. No way!

    Look at the early versions of the 1200's, they're still going so strong.

    There's always going to be a vinyl following with DJing, you can't beat digging through crates.

    It's a real shame if they ended the line but with these things will be around forever, long live vinyl 😀

  11. only SL1200 and SL1210 are being stopped….they will continue the MK2 and MK5 models.
    they are not stopping the production on all turntables…they are the number one choice for all pro djs so why would they ?

    1. I know 12 year olds that DJ better than tiesto, seaman, tong or any top line DJ you can name- just the same way as michael jordan said he knew 100+ street basketballers who shat all over him.

      it is actually impossible to mix out of beat with all these digi programs. and they also keymatch for you…. that is not dj’ing!!! that is putting song titles into a PC and letting the program do the rest…

      Digital compressed music….YAWN…. no digital music will ever be as crisp as live or vinyl music… its a fact….. infact it is impossible to record something and make it sound better… i admit i prefer vinyl- i can actually SEE and touch the music- i control the sound with my fingertips..

      and all these fools who download music- you dont actually OWN anything… just bytes…

      i have vinyl and digital dj software…. PC mixing is soooooo boring!!!!!! and easy…. layering four songs at once is a breeze… most people cant even manually beatmix a track for 3 mins by sound alone… they need their little BPM counters to assist… hmmmmmmmmm- anyone who calls themself a mixing DJ can mix tracks seamlessly with there eyes shut… its called ‘feeling the sound’….. got my mum to mix tracks on PC….she did it perfect first time…. i laughed :>

  12. I'm seeing all these post about "keeping it real" and "digital dj's are killing the industry". Let me just say that i'm 33 and have been djing for 14 years. Back when "looping" on a CDJ was the most advanced feature. I ran SL1200's, then 1210's, and was constantly re-investing my hard earned dj dollars into $7 and $12 white labels, mash-ups, and re-mixes. I was very hesitant on making ANY switch to cd, and at the time, dragging and dropping MP3 files onto virtual decks was the equal to hybrid cars being in every driveway, or hanging an LED tv on my wall. Anyway, my point is that technology will constantly be changing whether you embrace it or not. I'm getting my "new" music and remixes 1, 2, sometimes 3 months in advance of any white label pressing.

  13. You have to admit that even though laptops, CDJ's and MP3 players are streching the boundaries, companies like NUMARK, Serato, NI's Traktor Scratch and even Stanton's Final Scratch have all given a nod to vinyl dj's that want to stick by there 1200's or 1210's. It's getting better, faster, and not so much stronger, but efficient to make the switch. The nice thing about my Serato set up is that I can go back and forth between Serato timecode cd's and conventional audio cd's with a flick of a switch. Same goes for you die hard analog fans on the wheels o' steel.

  14. I'm seeing all these post about "keeping it real" and "digital dj's are killing the industry". Let me just say that i'm 33 and have been djing for 14 years. Back when "looping" on a CDJ was the most advanced feature. I ran SL1200's, then 1210's, and was constantly re-investing my hard earned dj dollars into $7 and $12 white labels, mash-ups, and re-mixes. I was very hesitant on making ANY switch to cd, and at the time, dragging and dropping MP3 files onto virtual decks was the equal to hybrid cars being in every driveway, or hanging an LED tv on my wall. Anyway, my point is that technology will constantly be changing whether you embrace it or not. I'm getting my "new" music and remixes 1, 2, sometimes 3 months in advance of any white label pressing.

  15. I'm seeing all these post about "keeping it real" and "digital dj's are killing the industry". Let me just say that i'm 33 and have been djing for 14 years. Back when "looping" on a CDJ was the most advanced feature. I ran SL1200's, then 1210's, and was constantly re-investing my hard earned dj dollars into $7 and $12 white labels, mash-ups, and re-mixes. I was very hesitant on making ANY switch to cd, and at the time, dragging and dropping MP3 files onto virtual decks was the equal to hybrid cars being in every driveway, or hanging an LED tv on my wall. Anyway, my point is that technology will constantly be changing whether you embrace it or not. I'm getting my "new" music and remixes 1, 2, sometimes 3 months in advance of any white label pressing.

  16. You have to admit that even though laptops, CDJ's and MP3 players are streching the boundaries, companies like NUMARK, Serato, NI's Traktor Scratch and even Stanton's Final Scratch have all given a nod to vinyl dj's that want to stick by there 1200's or 1210's. It's getting better, faster, and not so much stronger, but efficient to make the switch. The nice thing about my Serato set up is that I can go back and forth between Serato timecode cd's and conventional audio cd's with a flick of a switch. Same goes for you die hard analog fans on the wheels o' steel.

  17. You have to admit that even though laptops, CDJ's and MP3 players are streching the boundaries, companies like NUMARK, Serato, NI's Traktor Scratch and even Stanton's Final Scratch have all given a nod to vinyl dj's that want to stick by there 1200's or 1210's. It's getting better, faster, and not so much stronger, but efficient to make the switch. The nice thing about my Serato set up is that I can go back and forth between Serato timecode cd's and conventional audio cd's with a flick of a switch. Same goes for you die hard analog fans on the wheels o' steel.

  18. haven't kept up with other turntables? the 1200/1210 holds its own with no fear of competition. I've been pro for 15 years and i've never had a problem with 1200/1210's and almost every other turntable i've used has made me want to kick it out the window.

    Since 1972 technics have made the 1200 series. 36 years at the top of the table. No one that knows anything about dj'ing would even begin to think that the 1200's haven't "kept up" with other turntables. It took until 2003 before anyone even came close to a turntable that could hold it's own against the 1200's and even at that, they are all plasticated nonsense.

    If you don't know about it, then be quiet or you'll look like a fool.

  19. haven't kept up with other turntables? the 1200/1210 holds its own with no fear of competition. I've been pro for 15 years and i've never had a problem with 1200/1210's and almost every other turntable i've used has made me want to kick it out the window.

    Since 1972 technics have made the 1200 series. 36 years at the top of the table. No one that knows anything about dj'ing would even begin to think that the 1200's haven't "kept up" with other turntables. It took until 2003 before anyone even came close to a turntable that could hold it's own against the 1200's and even at that, they are all plasticated nonsense.

    If you don't know about it, then be quiet or you'll look like a fool.

  20. Thinkpad X301 I have used with the Technics SL-1210M5G!
    So DMC Use M5G
    ——————————-
    Since 1997.SL-1200MK6 is done complanted since National and Pioneer done it.
    If their turntable and mixer are done.Will termated of this.
    Bill Gate and Other Using PIXAR And then they recorded the song using Technics SL-1210M5G.
    So that for it.
    Tony Stark
    The Iron Man

  21. Panasonic still produce Technics 1210 mk2 turntables.
    Vinyl back will back real DJ-s.
    Dust in every club will kill any CDJ and laptop computer very soon.
    Only ( stone made ) Technics turntable will survive !

  22. Lets face it Technics had there chance to keep the Dream alive , But then came Pioneer and knocked them out of the water , With the new range of Cdjs 2000's / 900's you can do 1000 times more than what you could ever do on a 1200 , and if you are a Turntablest im sure you will agree

  23. Turntables will never die. Why? Because the digital solutions from Serato etc give the hands-on experience of vinyl which CDj's will never get close to emulating.

    CD mixing may be fine for dance music where you want perfect beat mixing but for other forms you need to have the instant access that vinyl provides – whether through real vinyl or timecoded digital solutions. You will never be able to flick through a cd track faster than you can drop a needle.

  24. The only problem with that is I cant think of any product that you can purchase that will outlast your dj career.Digital I say not.cdj's,cdx's,hdx's I have had them all.All have had to be repaired in a 2 to 5 year span.Now my 1200's that I purchase back in 1990 is still working fine.The only repair was the rca cables had to be change out.I'm still playing on them now….Oh I am digital Traktor Scratch Pro.Any thing you can do I can do……

  25. I think it the cd player thats DEAD….None of them will ever last long as a Tech 1200.But you probably wouldn't know that because you are afraid of them….

  26. It all comes down to what you like to do, Scratch? Tech 1200's are hands down the best, When it comes to beat matching, Tech 1200's are my choice. They can hold a beat longer. In short what ever works for you.

  27. The reason why turntables are supposedly being phased out is because no company these days can make a big profit on such a well built and long lasting device. They have cottoned on that you need to put new bells an whistles on things to make their earlier product seem inferior.
    My prediction is
    – pure analogue will will become a niche product and a selling point for great parties. (i.e. No Mp3's and other dig. formats that sound inferior,
    – more people will be burning discs and less money will go to the artists
    – Digital Dj's will becomes slaves to the never ending upgrade of their equipment.
    – The industry standard will change more frequently and be less clear cut. (for ten years the club standard was a pair of 1200's and a DJM 600.) now it will change yearly
    – vinyl will survive, especially in Europe and Japan
    -due to the portability of cd's and laptops, more DJ's are going to find their gear flogged. (try running away with a crate of records!)
    -Dj's will become more weedy cause they don't do any heavy lifting to gigs.

  28. Digital DJ are not confined to “compressed music” i’m playing top quality WAV files which, by the way, are the files from where all vinyls are coming from. With digital you can play all the tracks that never been released on vinyls and that’s a very lot.

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