Technics SL-1200
The Technics SL-1200 is a series of direct-drive turntables introduced in October 1972 by Matsushita Electric under the brand name Technics. The series is widely recognized as influencing the emergence of hip hop, turntablism, and electronic music culture in the 1980s.
As the use of slipmats for cueing and beat-mixing became popular in live DJ performances, the quartz-controlled motor system enabled records to be mixed with consistency. Its control over wow and flutter and minimized resonance made the equipment particularly suitable for use in nightclubs and other public-address applications. Since its release in 1979, the SL-1200MK2 and its successors were the most common turntables for DJing and scratching. With more than 3 million units sold, many 1970s units are still in heavy use.
At the London Science Museum, an SL-1210MK2 is on display as one of the pieces of technology that was responsible for "making the Modern World".History
The SL-1200 was developed in 1971 by a team led by Shuichi Obata at Matsushita and was released to the market in 1972. It was adopted by New York City hip hop DJs, including Grandmaster Flash in the 1970s. As they experimented with the SL-1200 decks, DJs developed scratching techniques when they found that the motor would continue to spin at the correct RPM even if the DJ wiggled the record back and forth on the platter.
On November 1, 2010, Panasonic announced the discontinuation of Technics analog turntables through a statement on the DMC World DJ Championships home page.
Technics was relaunched in 2014, focusing on higher-end products. Reports at the time suggested that Panasonic had plans for Technics to reintroduce turntables, preceding the announcement of the SL-1200 series revival at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show under two "Grand Class" models: the limited-edition 1200GAE and the consumer-grade 1200G. They later introduced the lighter, more affordable 1200GR, followed by the DJ-focused SL-1200MK7 in 2019.SL1200/SL1210 re-launch
Due to the increasing popularity of vinyl among DJs, a petition was created calling for the re-launch of the Technics SL1200 and SL1210 series turntables. On 5 January 2016, Technics agreed to relaunch both the SL-1200G and the SL-1200GAE.
At the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Panasonic announced it would be resuming production with a new line of turntables, beginning with the limited edition SL-1200GAE.
At the 2019 CES, Panasonic confirmed the future production of a new turntable, the SL-1200MK7, in matte black. As well as the addition of new features and fixes to known issues with previous models. The new model featured an all-new, lighter construction of aluminum and fiberglass.
In 2021, Panasonic ceased manufacturing Technics turntables in Japan and moved all turntable production to Malaysia.Design
The SL-1200 series was developed by Technics' parent company, Matsushita, to address several challenges associated with turntable design. The design incorporates a heavy base made of a composite structure featuring a cast alloy top plate and a solid rubber base, intended to minimize unwanted vibrations. Adjustable rubber-damped feet provide insulation against acoustic feedback, particularly in environments where the turntable is used near loudspeakers. Additionally, the underside of the record platter is coated with a 1.2 mm layer of rubber to help reduce ringing. A 2 mm rubber mat is included with the platter, which is designed to reduce resonance around 250 Hz.
The drive system designed by Matsushita is direct-drive, rather than the more commonly found belt-drive type. The direct-drive design, which was developed to reduce wow and flutter, produces a substantially quieter turntable that has minimal motor and bearing noise, although the bearing rumble is "characteristic" of well-used turntables.
On the underside of the platter, a large magnet is placed over the spindle, surrounding the coils and forming the motor drive, which eliminates loss through power transfer. The SL-1200 utilizes a Frequency Generator Servo Control Quartz Lock system that is claimed to produce "the most accurate and consistent speed possible". The system is immune to static and dynamic stylus drag, which otherwise causes unwanted speed variances that change the pitch and tempo of the music.Legacy models
Original model (1972)
SL-1200
The SL-1200 was introduced in 1972 as an evolution of the popular SL-1100. It was dubbed "The Middle Class Player System." It was released in two versions: the SL-1200 and the SL-120. The SL-1200 included a tonearm section, while the SL-120 did not.MK2 models (1979-2010)
The SL-1200 Mark 2 was introduced in 1979 as an update to the SL-1200. It was dubbed "The Middle Class Quartz Direct Drive". It soon found its way into discos as well as radio stations for airplay because of its vibration-damping ability and resistance to feedback, and eventually became popular with pioneering hip-hop DJs. Following their established formula, Technics offered different model numbers in Europe: the 1200 and the 1210, which were equipped with switchable dual voltage power supplies. Initially, there were only silver models in the official distribution in Japan and the US, single voltage of 100V/120V accordingly. However, later the 1200 was available in both silver and matte black finishes.SL-1200MK2
Released in the summer of 1979, this model came in both silver and matte black. The matte black version was available for a limited time in the US market in a 2-pack, SL-1200MK2PK. Technics improved the motor and shock resistance and changed the rotary pitch control to a slider style. This became the base model and is the oldest model for which production continued until 2010. The older version of this model that was sold from 1979 until around 1983 has a large plate where the RCA and ground wires enter the unit, while the newer version has a smaller hole in the rubber where the RCA and ground enter. International versions of the SL-1200MK2 included switches for line voltage and frequency beneath the platter.SL-1210MK2
This model came in a satin black metallic finish and is nearly the same in function as the SL-1200MK2, although some of the circuitry inside is updated to use fewer types of potentiometers and resistors. The Technics 1210 series also had a switch to change between voltages on the underside of the platter. It was not available from official Panasonic dealers in the United States.MK3 models (1989-1997)
SL-1200MK3
Released in 1989, it has a matte black finish like the MK2, gold RCA plugs, and a small gold-foil Technics label on the back. It was intended only for the Japanese market.SL-1200MK3D
Manufactured for the Japanese market only, this version includes factory gold RCA cables, with a black or silver finish. It also includes a pitch reset button. This version was released in 1997.SL-1200M3D
Released in 1997, this version has a silver finish like the MK2. Its features include a detached dust cover, a recessed power switch to prevent DJs from accidentally turning the deck off during use, and no self-locking detent at the zero point of the pitch adjustment slider, allowing more precise control of pitch near that point. It has a reset button that sets the pitch adjustment to zero, regardless of the actual position of the pitch adjustment slider. Specific to the M3D series, the brand and model label is printed in a single line instead of two, and the stroboscopic light is red with a slightly orange tone. This model also introduced a slot near the counterweight, allowing for storage of a second headshell. The MK3D was designed for Japanese markets, while the M3D without the K was European/US.SL-1210M3D
This model is the same as the SL-1200M3D except with a matte black finish like the MK2.MK4 models (1996)
SL-1200MK4
The SL-1200 Mark 4 was introduced in 1996. It was an update to the SL-1200MK2. It was available only in Japan and priced at around $650. It has a matte black finish. This model is aimed at the high-end audiophile market rather than DJs. It is the last model made with the detent in the neutral position of the pitch adjustment slider. In addition to the existing 33 RPM and 45 RPM buttons, the MK4 added a 78 RPM button. It is designed to be used with regular, removable RCA cables rather than hard-wired RCA cables like all other 1200/1210 models. The tonearm was different from those in the previous models, as it was made from titanium.MK5 models (2000-2010)
SL-1200MK5
Released on 1 November 2000, this model has a silver finish like the MK2. It includes an increased range of anti-skate settings, increasing the range from 0–3 grams-force of older models to 0–6 grams-force of this newer model. The 1200MK5 also has the voltage selector under the platter, like the previously improved upon '1210' models. Height adjustment can be set between 0 and 6mm. It carries over many of the improved features of the MK3D, like the lack of a 0-crossing quartz lock for better pitch control and the added spare cartridge holder. MK5 models have a removable lid, as opposed to the MK2 and MK3 removable hinged lid. The MK5 is the last 1200 model to retain an analog, quartz-clock-based pitch control. Brake speed can be adjusted by using a small screwdriver in a hole located below the turntable plate.SL-1210MK5
SL-1210MK5 has a black finish like the MK2, and is functionally exactly the same as the SL-1200MK5. This model is not to be confused with the M5G model.SL-1200MK5G
Released in 2002, the 1200MK5G model was the first Technics turntable to introduce a 'digitally controlled' pitch adjustment. With a typical pitch range between ±8%, the MK5G included the previous ±8% value, but with the addition of a ±16% button. The globe on the target light was changed from an incandescent bulb to a LED. See the SL-1210M5G section of this article for more detailed changes.