Much like Bruce Lee on the cover of a martial arts magazine, dropping Technics into a headline on a DJ site is a guaranteed click fest. So you’d think that being in the business of needing eyes on our words, we’d inappropriately crowbar the legendary brand into the most tenuously linked stories. I swear that a ridiculous “five best DJ hats to wear when playing on Technics” listicle would garner serious traffic.
But after a string of stories around the relaunch of Technics as not at all a DJ brand, we decided to not shamelessly post anything related to the brand in a bid for clicks, simply because it was clear that the return of the 1200 was for everyone else but DJs.
But a pre-Christmas morsel has hit my social feeds courtesy of What Hifi, and it’s one that might not actually be a shameless attention grabbing piece of clickbaitery. Allow me to explain.
The Consumer Electronics Show aka CES is where Panasonic generally trots out anything to do with the Technics brand. This is where they’ve previously released 1200 related news, and of course made sure to reinforce the DJ link too, even if the new products have been entirely audiophile focussed. But this year, they’re holding a very DJ focussed event called Technics7th that features actual DJs, playing vinyl on actual turntables.
Back this up with the recent Turntablist orchestra event, and there’s just the merest glimmer of hope that Panasonic may well be doing something for us beyond a 2x priced but still unsuitable for DJs turntable. Just ask Mojaxx.
The Technics7th event is happening 7th January between 8-11.30pm PST (i.e. Europe is in bed), and is being streamed live from Las Vegas via the Boiler Room channel and Dommune, followed by the actual press event a day later.
To be honest, Panasonic might not be launching anything to do with DJs at all. But it’s important for them to be seen to be supporting the scene that allowed them to sell 3.5m units around the world over several decades, even if it means pumping marketing money into a product that they’ve already sold.
Is this event a teaser? I wonder if they’ll do close-ups of the gear during the live events? Or if they’re just using MK2s like everyone else does? My advice to Panasonic — just put new feet on the 1200GR, call it a 1200DJ (to allow for range differentiation from audiophile gear), find a way to knock 40-50% off the price, and a solid percentage of the DJ world will beat down the retail chain’s door to own a pair.
Summing up — it’s a journalistic truth that if a headline is posited as a question, the answer is usually a resounding hell no, followed by mutters of “bloody clickbait”. But with Panasonic traditionally feeling little need to do anything for the DJ scene from a marketing perspective, recent activity does indicate that something more DJ related could be coming. Time will tell.
It could be a 7” special edition turntable like those spotted some years ago by stokyo?
One can dream…
That was a Technics mini turntable specially made for Biz Markie to rock his 45s
Yes these! Thanks!
https://djworx.com/spotted-7-technics-sl-700-turntable-in-the-wild/
Im hoping they will come up with a new analog mixer like the SH EX 1200 but with some new features like FX send return.
I recently bought the DJ Tech Handy Cutz mixer …for its simplicity and sharp cut
Remember this kids you dont need much bells and wistles in order to DJ.
May be 1210 mk7?
MK7th? ;)
Hopefully, an even more expensive and more limited edition turntable.
People are happy to pay €800 more for a Pioneer CDJ2000 Nexus than it would cost for a 1210GR. (1499 Euro)
The first is a digital plastic device the second is a build like a tank Japanese metal craftsmanship iconic player.
People like you will always complain even when the price of the 1210GR dropped specially for the DJ.
I prefer buying 1 Technics rather than 2 SUPEROEMs for the same price.
Trust me — Deft isn’t complaining. He genuinely wants a more expensive and exclusive edition, ideally made from Adamantium with an Unobtanium coating.
It will be the dz1200 mk2 with mechanics to send control signal through USB as well as playing vinyl.
Yeah, it’s the Mrk7 or the ‘7th’ iteration: “Our new year kicks off with a one-of-a-kind foray into the very best of turntablism and DJ culture. On 07 January we’ll be in Las Vegas celebrating the launch of the new @Technics 7th turntable series with both Technics …”
Hello – I’ll be in Las Vegas for CES and would like to know how to attend the live stream event evening of 1/7/2019. Is that possible?
They can honestly kiss my ass.
Now that they finally figured out that they can’t move shit to “audiophiles”, they’re turning their heads back to DJs. FOH.
? There are waiting lists for G/GR, they can’t meet the demand.
A casual glance at Google shows the 1200GR readily available in the UK. And I suspect that many retailers don’t want to hold stock of a £2400 turntable that traditionally has a low margin. There’s no incentive. But it is available if you look around. Well… the websites say in stock, but that doesn’t always mean that it is. ;)
Few examples around the hifi forums of buyers who experience postponed delivery at the dealer. GR in US that is. Could be a local thing. Anyway, great to see MK7 coming.
Huh? What are you talking about? They sold out of the audiophile decks, fairly quickly too.
You must have been living under a big rock when Technics sponsored the World DJ DMC championships for 20 years, their 1210s were never aimed at audiophiles.
Now with the 1210GR its still a DJ turntable.
The SP10 MK2 thats an audiophile deck but you seem to totally ignore facts.
Had any of you read the original press releases about the GR (incl. all those brilliant hints about *not* being for DJs) or are you just fanboys jumping on the mk7 train now?
Indeed. Nowhere on the official Technics 1200G or GR pages does it mention DJs. It may well be a refreshing change to have a new 1200 MK7 for DJs rather than being capable of being used by them.
new product coming
UPDATE: Technics stand confirmed at NAMM. Right opposite Pioneer DJ.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/04e9569d6a3a79b86b45adc8eaea82a24e94c241d974b856726cd2d90c2debff.png
There are rumors about new line (more than one product) so maybe Technics find the moment a sweet spot to release old projects like you pointed in the mockup history in the links. Also it seems a new mixer could make sense and maybe new 12” to hifi segment.
I don’t expect digital turntable due the DZ fail but who knows…?
I don’t expect anything but an updated 1200/1210 with tweaks to suit DJs. This is their heritage, and where that’s have won the hearts of DJs. Outside of that, their track record with DJ products is patchy at best. The DZ was a disaster for them, and their mixers really didn’t set the world on fire. If they wish to build upon legacy, they should put out an updated turntable at a decent price and leave it at that. I just don’t see any space where Technics could make a dent in the media player or mixer market.
Mostly agreed but seems a “line” from the rumors so into speculation… but I’m agreed with you that probably it will be nothing than new old technics.
I do have more information from very credible sources than I’m letting on. But it was told to me in confidence. We’ll just have to see what comes, but anything more than a a DJ focussed edition of the 1200 is rampant romantic speculation at this point.
Just dreaming I know. :}