Homebrew mod actually makes Technics SL-DZ1200 good [VIDEO]

The Technics SL-DZ1200 was pants. But thanks to a radical homebrew hack, it's actually been made to perform as it always should.

Technics SL-DZ1200 MK2 (2)

Technics SL-DZ1200 MK2 (2)

Remember the Technics SL-DZ1200? I think we all do, but not fondly. Proving that Technics didn’t have the golden touch with everything, the DZ came, bombed, and bar a handful of die-hards, disappeared. But via a lot of homebrew hackery, one diligent user has managed to turn a dog of a unit into something that I’d actually like to use, and created the oh so unofficial SL-DZ1200 MK2,  thus proving that it really is possible to polish a turd.

When Technics decided it was time to enter the CD market, the DJ world had very high hopes that they’d do the same for media players as they did for turntables. Sadly, the resulting SL-DZ1200 turned fell a very long way short of expectations. The sound was limited and poor quality, and the platter was nothing short of a disaster. And despite some firmware updates to fix the godawful sound, no amount of hackery could fix the truly terrible platter performance and poorly placed centre display. Until now that is.

Enter Stuart Littleford, a DZ owner with a dab hand for hackery. I’ll let him tell the story:

I first had a set of these about 4 years ago, having wanted a set since they came out, but being a vinyl head didn’t bother. I then saw a set going cheap on eBay and ended up buying them, I didn’t do any research into them I just assumed as they were made by the mighty Technics they must be of high standard, so wasn’t best pleased once I got them home to find out they didn’t live up to the Technics name.

After using them on a number of drunken occasions I just started thinking how I could make them better.

My first attempt was to try and stop the silly excess x y movement a bit like having a record with a hold too big for the spindle, It felt awful I remember making loads of new parts on cnc machines when I should been working, even cutting out records to different sizes to stop it moving, I then decided to open the unit up that’s when I decided to go the whole hog and change everything I could.

I found a way to stop the x y movement making some new parts; this took a few weeks to perfect. I then moved on to the next issue and for me at the time it was the stupid nipples holding the silver disk on, all I can say is WHY, such a stupid error trying to mix and these shitty little things kept getting in the way, they had to go, once they had gone the screen had to go, anyone everywhere knows djs use the centre of the record to beat match I still to this don’t believe the person or persons who designed the SL-DZ1200 had never been a real dj they couldn’t of been.

Each part of this conversion made the next part happen, as soon as I had decided the screen had to go I had to have a middle spindle with real vinyl but to do this was an absolute nightmare, it involves removing and the modding of many parts, all sorts of trial and error stuff just to get a vinyl record to fit on!

After that my focus was on the silly sd software, infuriating as anyone with this deck will tell you, I basically spoke to some top software engineers about by passing the Sd secure coding, it was possible but they were asking silly money to complete the job, but during this process I found a way to increase the bit rate of the mp3 files the unit can take I got it to take 210kbps from 192kbps, not much I know but I’ve done some research into the quality, I’ve done many many tests with friends and paying customers at some of my events(I run a sound system, www.darkussoundsystem.co.uk) promoting drum and bass played on our 18k pro rig and many people could not tell the difference between the two, many struggled comparing them to wave files too !

I also fired off a handful of specific questions:

Q. How long did it take you to get to this point?

A. So the idea is 3-4 years old and about 8 months from the first version to what we have now.

Q. How many DZs did you butcher in the process?

A. I been quite lucky in that I’ve not actually destroy one completely, had a few scares with blue screen and random stuff appearing but that was due to voltage drops which a found away around! I’m an electrical engineer and have been for 20 years but still had my heart in my mouth converting some of these, the first 3 were the hardest, I’ve done well over 20 sets now and not one has ever failed.

Q. Will you offer a conversion service?

A. I am offering a conversions service if you already have a unit it will cost £150 per deck, its not an easy conversion and each one takes 12 hours to complete

Q. Is it doable as a kit?

A. A lot of people have been asking about a conversion kit, I didn’t think this would be a viable idea at first but I’ve been persuaded to make them, my main worry was people skills in doing it, it really does involve a lot of soldering, modding and the adding of parts, there hard enough just to get inside for most people. But hey who I’m I to stop people doing it, it would quite rewarding doing it yourself and having a finished item, I know! I’m still in the process of documenting every stage and getting it in to a simple instruction sheet. I should have this finished shortly.

Q. Will you sell ready converted units?

A.  I also have a number pre-converted MKII’s for sale at £350 and will do a deal if more than one is required.

Technics SL-DZ1200 MK2 (3)

There you have it — a man with a desire has made something quite bad potentially very good. The video speaks for itself, and the actual end result is a masterpiece. Making the DZ good is one thing, but I love the execution too, and truly admire Stuart’s tenacity to attempt such a project. If only Panasonic had spent just a little longer on the original, then the DJ landscape might be an entirely different place.

We’ll be getting a demo unit in for a test drive to see if we can get past our former experiences with the original DZ. Having seen the end result, it might be worth bagging yourselves some cheap DZs on eBay, if that’s at all possible now.

Gallery

Source: www.digitaldjtips.com

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Mark Settle
Mark Settle

The old Editor of DJWORX - you can now find Mark at WORXLAB

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64 Comments

    • Hi guys, not trying to salt anyone’s game, however there has been a solution for this for several years. There is a manufacturer that made a replacement disc that fits the Technics SL-DZ1200 without kit bashing. The company is called Sensei Haus and they were reviewed on the old site years ago.

  2. kudos for all the effort and passion into making a dream into a reality! I’m even surprised at how reasonably priced he intends to offer his conversion for. I hope to see more of these out in the wild soon.

  4. nice, if someone can make that on stanton scs1D system!!! until now,, i think stanton scs1 systeme was a good controler but i don’t know why they stop to update or to find a solution of platter problem

  5. Maybe we could fit an scratch decoder kit inside it and transform it into a controller (or almost make it midi in addition to cdj/sd)

    Great work dude!

  8. Here’s what I don’t get:

    If the original really was a “dog/turd” with limited poor quality “godawful” sound and a truly terrible disaster of a platter…….how does removing the centre display and increasing the MP3 bit rate by a tiny amount turn it into “a masterpiece”?

    The platter/motor is the same, the sound circuitry is the same.

    ???

  11. Very nice mod. Technics, why don’t you take this lesson and go to Serato and make some plans for new platter controller? If you keep it pure and simple like the TT-1200 with some nice pads (2×4 please), classic start/stop button, and purify the feature set then I’m almost certain you can be back in the game ; )

  12. I love the fact its got people talking, its the Marmite scenario, love it or hate it ! I really don’t take it all that seriously, the reason I like the unit is its simple, some say abit like myself.
    When I mix I just like to mix two tracks together no effects, blending, chopping cutting up, nice and simple but that’s because I’m old skool, and that’s what this deck is old skool.
    Now where’s my marmite sandwich !

    Any intrested can find the decks for sale on ebay just search for SL-DZ1200 MK2

    or click here….http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161239821258?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

    http://www.facebook.com/sl-dz1200-mk2

    P.s thanks for the great review Mark.

      • Sensei Haus are just spamming now with a blatent advert. Come on guys, it’s obvious.

        Not replying to the same message is just an attempt to fill the board with ads.

        Let’s talk about the artical and a redesign of Technics first (and last) venture into this area, not what your company is selling. The mods are chalk and cheese so let’s discuss thee original piece about re-engineering of a deck.

        This is more ‘Pimp My Ride’.

  13. Thanks to the avalanche of undesireable controllers, there is a strong sentiment towards something more substantial. Yet, thanks to software, there is also a strong sentiment towards removing the needle from the turntable equation. Now, everyone is in the hunt for the perfect size “motorized, needless, non-drifting, TT/controller” The numark cdx was too big, the ns7 is too small, the scs1d was just a hair too big. But, really the only way to “take control” of the industry in the way the 1200 did is the bring something extra. For instance, two different records, one just plain vinyl, and interchange with a touch sens platter with spots like on the dj hero controller.

    • Hi Steve!
      Interesting comment but I have two doubts.
      The first is related to needle… Remove it or improve it?
      The second is about “two different records, one just plain vinyl, and interchange with a touch sens platter with spots like on the dj hero controller”
      Could you explain a vit more this idea? I studied every system I found on internet (from DVS to Hardware based solutions like ttm1/whirlwind replicator) and I’m interested in know any new or old system or approarch.

      Thanks!

      • Well, i think this video is a great example of how we dont need needles any longer, especially with the current push towatds smaller TTs, on which they would take up valuable real estate, especially for things like hydro-planing.
        If you ever hacked a djhero controller, and used the buttons “with” the jog, well its really functional.
        So..what I’m saying, is let’s not forget why people left TT for controllers in the first place.
        Im all for a new motorised deck, but if its just a TT or cd player, no thanks already had those.
        Info get sent through the spindle, so why not send some touch/button info with it.

        • So creating something like a circular mpc with scratch action?

          I must think about it before see technical implications but as a concept is a great idea… Did you saw the otto (luca de roso) controller?

          Thanks once again.

  14. We Just pressed a new stock after a long back order, very happy to see a renewed interest in this turntable. Yes our product has been addressing these 2-3 major issues for almost a decade. Unfortunately the man (Mr. Mark Settle) that you trust to give you an unbiased opinion to help you with your purchases did NOT spend one MILLISECOND to explore nor review our points of functionality and improvements. The article is still around so check it out. Tell us if we gathered the wrong feeling from him but for some reason we feel like he’s always hated the Technics brand period.

    Here’s our take on this considering we spent over a year with our first R&D: and have been constantly R&Ding and improving with each version for 9.5 years:

    Before you start “Hacking” a beautifully
    engineered machine think twice. The 2-3 major issues this person speaks
    about have been addressed by our product for almost a decade. The main
    factors to consider are the “minimization of play” of the
    disc and the optimal weight of the disc that replicates the feeling of
    an analog 1200. You cannot achieve this with some old records and just
    “guess & hope” to get the right weight you are at the will of
    whatever vinyl you’ve “found”. Back to the hacking of your turntable, no
    need to do such a modification when you can use a properly designed
    “interface” that is engineered with the two previous factors.

    These SL-DZ1200’s are not being made anymore you don’t need to do
    anything to increase it’s chances of having problems in the future.

    Lol and I have to say when you watch the video he is always using the
    “outer edge” of the record as MOST dj’s do so a screen wouldn’t be in
    the way anyways with his technique. That’s also why Panasonic designed
    it this way. It’s like having a “colostomy bag” attached to your body
    that you have to always find a pillow or stand to put it on. The DZ is
    such a beautiful machine why destroy it when you don’t have to?

  15. Furthermore, I have to say LOOK at the difference between this review and ours and wonder in astonishment (as we are right now) as to what the motivations are behind DJWORX.

    “There you have it — a man with a desire has made something quite bad
    potentially very good. The video speaks for itself, and the actual end
    result is a masterpiece.”

    Wow Mark, just wow.

    • To save people digging, here’s my original Sensei Haus piece from almost 6 years ago: http://www.djworx.com/skratchworx/newspage.php?fn_mode=comments&fn_id=724&_id=1152.

      It’s not really possible to get every single product in and test it, especially one that would warrant purchasing a media player that in not just our opinion but the majority of the DJ community was a poor attempt. Back then when my windows were falling out of my house, I certainly didn’t have the cash, especially as Panasonic were having zero interaction with anyone less than the big magazines.

      We asked repeatedly for a unit, and it got to the point where the Technics guy at the time more or less tried to run away from me at a trade show. So we had to borrow a unit from a retailer back in 2005 to even do the original review. Our neutrality marked us out as probably not giving the DZ the review they wanted. Other outlets were considerably more generous, flying in the face of the majority of opinion at the time.

      As for this article — it’s more about the mod than the end result. When a guy fixes 3 major issues, and with zero resources or help from any official source, removes the carbuncle of a centre display (no, not all DJs use the outer edge, especially turntablists), adds custom vinyl with a real spindle, and further enhances the sound quality, then I’m deeply impressed, especially when he’s doing it to a long dead product that people generally dislike.

      So I do apologise if this epic feat garnered more attention and praise than your original Sensei Haus vinyl. There’s no bias at all – it’s my opinion that it’s a considerably more impressive accomplishment.

      I tell you what – why don’t you send me some vinyl, I’ll track down a DZ, and do a side by side comparison of original, Sensei Haus vinyl, and this MK2 mod. I cannot say fairer than that.

  16. One thing I’d like to know is Panasonic’s opinion on this.

    I’d love to hear what the original design team think of the improvement and how they’d design one now had the opportunity arisen for an official MKII frm Panasonic.

    Great mod and it just goes to show how creative you can get when you are determined to improve on a flawed design.

    No doubt the link will find it’s way over to the guys at Panasonic one day. I’d love to be ‘that’ fly on the wall…

  17. Achieving the “same results” as OUR product with about a thousand times the work and ruining the esthetic value of the unit is an accomplishment of some sort I guess.

    I have absolutely no interest in sending you anything Mark, with all of the customers we’ve had over the years confirming our points of functionality is your opinion relevant anymore? You mislead, misconstrue, and disinform naive dj’s to push your own agenda and appease your advertisers.

    I’ll leave you with my other favorite quote of yours because the only “masterpiece of work” here is you.

    “And despite some firmware updates to fix the godawful sound, no amount
    of hackery could fix the truly terrible platter performance and poorly
    placed centre display. Until now that is.”

    “Until now” …I think you guys in the u.k call it bollox, we in Canada call it B.S.

    • Your product is not interesting, dated and has that whole flea Market look and feel.

      Sincerely a consumer who just bought 2x DZ to do the MK2 Mod.
      Money Talks. Bollox, BS, all that…. walks.

        • First of all, I don’t have a product, Im just a DJ who added 2 of these to my space… because I can.

          Second of all, they play DVS like a freakin champ.

          Third, How is adding new to the market mod’s outdated? Seems pretty current.

          • for those who already on a decent set of turntables this is a waste of space, for those who don’t use turntables to DJ with it might be better than your average controller.

  18. Oh, and no one from scratchworx contacted our company when that article was written.

    At least if you did that I could’ve PAID you like everyone else does ;)

  19. I also wanted to mention, If the SL-DZ1200 is used in an “analog style” so to speak even a DMC champion can replicate the same technical winning routine on these. Did you know that? Care to share that? Because with the right interface it’s easily possible.

    Also, if you look at them in the same “analog style” what you guys really have is a super light weight, mini version, of the world’s best turntable with the SAME direct drive motor. At this weight, size, capability and portability, you almost have yourself a little version of those 7″ Biz Markie units but in a digital form if you think about it. The DZ’s are so light it’s a “miniature” version of the originals in many aspects just like the Biz’ rare models.

    • Wrong..the middle of the record..closer to center equals more leverage. Just admit the the modder is correct in saying whoever designed that center display unit never actually dj’d

  25. Well it looks like someone or something is preventing me to post every recent dmc championship performance to show you so take a look on youtube.

  26. Sensei Haus – I like this MK2 mod because it fixes all of the issues that I and others had with the DZ, namely sloppy vinyl handling, annoying lugs on the faceplate, and the big centre display. Your vinyl fixes one of these issues. It is a more complete fix, and as far as mods go, deeply impressive indeed.

    As for using the outside of the record – that’s personal choice, but Qbert, D-Styles, and a great many others use the whole face for different techniques.

  27. I did want to say before I go in all fairness, because I do believe I’m a fair guy and would prefer to bring down the temperature in here:

    I’m sure when it comes to the majority of things on this site Mark Settle is a very articulate man and a fair one at that, the man deserves the appropriate respect for what he’s built which to me is a very special thing and one could sit and write more than a page on this man’s accomplishments, so to make things “crystal” It’s ONLY when it comes to the Technics brand I feel these things I previously mentioned so get it straight. Also Mark has no problem saying that himself, cheers Mark.

    As for Stuart Littleford, I commend Stuart, he really did do something special and is absolutely no undertaking, he did something a lot of people would never attempt and his engineering skills, fabricating, and presentation deserves respect as well. With my experience owning many companies, I see two types of consumers out there the ones who prefer to keep things “original” and those who appreciate “mods” like so many things they coexist in nature and there’s nothing wrong with that.

    My point was that it could be achieved without a mod that opens up the possibility of problems in the future etc, this is basically mimicking a Denon DJ SC3900 or something of that nature so it does not strike me as a “DZ MK2”.

  28. IMHO, the sensei haus fix addressed the implementation issues with the original DZ. The mod above fixes the design issues of the DZ and creates a new product, not just a Mk2 product.

    I was never interested in the DZ. This new product has my interest. Add USB drive support and you have a new product that might get turntablists into the computerless digital age.

  29. Is that the same Sensei Haus that has been taking everyone’s money for the last few years and not supplying the product ? Seen many many forums very unhappy if it is. Maybe he could explain to everyone on here the reason’s why he took there money and why he’s suddenly popped back up. I suggest anyone wanting to buy a product from them should do some research on the net before committing, most would just call him a thief, I’d say that gives thief’s a bad name. Peace.

  33. Sent my SL-dz1200’s to this guy no word for 2 weeks then excuses that he
    was busy…after 5 weeks he shipped back and 7 weeks in total my
    turntables arrived AND DIDN’T WORK! Turn on the units and get error
    signals nothing works these are good for the garbage now unbelievable!
    Don’t send your turntables to this guy!!! What kind of conspiracy is
    this DJWORX, you recommend these people and do such an article
    for them and don’t even know their credentials? Were you paid
    assholes???

  34. I own a set of original SL DZ 1200’s and would love to get this mod done! Being a vinyl head myself I think these players are great when they are brought up to scratch. I think the only reason these players wouldnt work today as many people rely on ‘sync’ to mix and therefore would run a mile from actually having to beat match. Would love to see someone like DJ Sneak mix on a modded set of DZ 1200’s, that guy can mix, maybe not for the new breed of EDM Dj’s.

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