Keep in mind, they basically gave up on DJs entirely. They stopped making the 1200 turntable. Then they brought it back, but as an audiophile product for very high end hi-fi home set ups.
It's clear that they aren't THAT interested in the DJ market.
Technics SL1200 MK7 - Red Bull Edition
- Thread starter steve149
- Start date
Keep in mind, they basically gave up on DJs entirely. They stopped making the 1200 turntable. Then they brought it back, but as an audiophile product for very high end hi-fi home set ups.
It's clear that they aren't THAT interested in the DJ market.
Technics did a toe-dip back in the day.
In 1984 they introduced the SL-P50P, the first pro grade, performance CD player with pitch control, that I can recall.
In 1986, they produced the SL-P1200 performance CD player and if memory serves well, I think the street price was in the $800-$850 range and out of reach for mobiles. I first used them in a club in 1988.
After a few model "enhancements" through the 3rd gen SL-P1300 in 1988, Technics seemed interested in the DJ market but eventually, other than the reknowned 1200 turntables (Vinyl), were a non-entity in the digital DJ world until the early 2ks, 2003ish, f I remember correctly, when they tried to challenge Pioneer with their SL-DZ1200 Digital TT. It was pure eye candy and familiar looking terrain for those who cut their teeth on 1200s. It had some issues with MP3 mgmt and a few annoying 1st gen issues but it was a decent, albeit pricey alternative. Regardless, it was a minor interference to the Pioneer domination in the DJ TT market.
I suspect Technics will not try a 3rd foray into the digital DJ market...but WTF do I know.
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Probably a smart move on their part. The DJ market probably isn't the most lucrative place to sell electronics and for the most part I believe we are an afterthought. I see much more low end gear on the road than high end gear. DJ's are notoriously cheap. For every DJ that is willing to spend on quality there's 30 that want the cheapest fix
100% agreement on that. And the tough part for these manufacturers is... if they make really good stuff, it never needs to be replaced.
If I buy another set of turntables in my lifetime, it'll be because I want to, not because I had to.
The cheap controller market is a lot more lucrative because people are willing to buy it in the first place, and then it only lasts a couple years before you need a new one. So you can keep ringing the register with the same customer repeatedly.
I suspect the records they were built to play becoming a thing of the past might have had something to do with it.
The SL1200 series market was not specifically DJs - it was installers. Entertainment facilities required durability and had the money to spend on quality turntables. A well designed DJ booth would have up to 3 turntables. For a club with two or three distinct levels or lounges that's a total of 6 - 9 turntables being installed.
I personally managed the music for a hotel chain that installed 14 Technics SL1200MK2 across 7 locations. However, by the mid-1980s the trend was toward music video night clubs and the investments were being made in Video decks and Video switching - not turntables and records.
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That also applies to some clients....but not Taso's...
That's usually those who don't know the difference and until they know the difference they will keep on using cheap gear. I did some research and found out Technics got bought out by Panasonic.
I just thought of something here. Jeff you mentioned that a lot of DJs use cheap gear. My experience is when someone is just starting out they normally don't know the difference between cheap gear and high quality professional gear. Some are fortunate to have someone to mentor them that has been doing for a number of years and is using high quality professional gear. For some it's trial and error. What a lot of us here know is the better quality gear will work better, sound better and last longer. I bought those Yamaha DSR speakers probably 10 years ago and have never regretted the purchase. They are still working and sounding great after all those years.
Let me ask the DJs here using high quality professional gear this. How did you learn what to buy and what to stay away from? How long did it take you to learn? Now to be fair most just starting out don't have a lot of money to spend on gear. I was fortunate. I got a loan from the credit union for a little over $2,300 and I used that money to get my first setup when I came back. Just a side note I still have the QSC 2450 I bought 20 years ago and it's still working perfectly.
Let me ask the DJs here using high quality professional gear this. How did you learn what to buy and what to stay away from? How long did it take you to learn? Now to be fair most just starting out don't have a lot of money to spend on gear. I was fortunate. I got a loan from the credit union for a little over $2,300 and I used that money to get my first setup when I came back. Just a side note I still have the QSC 2450 I bought 20 years ago and it's still working perfectly.
You should do more research. Technics didn't get bought out... it has always been Panasonic's high-end nameplate, introduced to compete with (at-the-time) higher-end brands like Nakamichi.
Is this the same research you use to understand the virus and the vaccines? As Brandon said, Panasonic has ALWAYS owned the Technics brand name .. didn't buy it.
Most of us do.
And most of us don't buy 10 microphones for $30, knowing they aren't high quality.
And most of us wouldn't buy a pair of $40 value store memo recorders to use to tape speakers on a paid gig, knowing they aren't the right tools for the job.
Most of us ...
The parent company Matsushita owned Panasonic, Technics, and other electronic companies. I worked for them back in the 80’s and early 90’s. They were a great company to work for . They allowed employee’s to order direct from company and direct ship to friends and family. Holiday parties at country clubs/ballrooms with stages loaded with electronics to give away as door prizes. At times I regret not staying with that company, however I had bo desire to move to Secaucus NJ at the time.
Did you do your research about the virus and vaccine or are you relying on the media who wants to scare people into believing they must take this vaccine or something bad is going to happen? I got a text message telling me the numbers in other couuntries are going up and things are getting worse. Here's my exact response. Who is this trying to scare me. I'm not in panic mode. What I know is I'm going to live until I die. God is protecting me.
there are 1.5 million deaths worldwide from Coronavirus I guess God hated those people?
Maybe He's also protecting you by putting people on this earth that have spent their lives studying disease and medicine to offer assistance.
Simple question and being funny. Do you know how you're going to die? A member was killed before Thanksgiving by a drunk driver and not the Corona virus.