| Over the last several months rumours have spread | | | | experiencing a dramatic shift unprecedented in history |
| that Panasonic company would discontinue the | | | | - from analogue media (tapes, cassettes, VHS, CDs |
| legendary piece of the Technics DJ equipment - the | | | | and DVDs) to digital format (mp3 for example). We |
| SL1200 series turntables. This has come as a shock to | | | | are able to store almost unlimited amount of data with |
| many fans of the famous Technics turntable. Some | | | | ease. And it is this environment that the sl1200 |
| reacted with anger, some with grief. But too many | | | | Technics turntable will have to face. Will it survive? |
| rumours are spread around without the backing facts. | | | | Whether discontinued or not, a point in time will come |
| In fact, Panasonic company themselves allegedly | | | | when an old analogue turntable will no longer be an |
| made a statement that the SL1200 series turntable | | | | option. DJs around the world have already started to |
| would NOT be discontinued - for now. Whether | | | | realize that the future is in the digital media. Analogue |
| discontinued or not, the SL1200 will always have a | | | | age is over, and a DJ carrying around his cases with |
| place in the history of DJing. However, with the spread | | | | heavy vinyl records will slowly become a rare sight. |
| of the digital age, it will have to face a very tough | | | | Panasonic seems to realize this, and their recent |
| environment. | | | | confusing comments seem to have sprung not only a |
| Technics sl1200 turntable first appeared in October | | | | new wave of sales (perhaps, the last one) of the |
| 1972 and many do not know that it was originally | | | | good old SL1200s, but also a new realization on DJs |
| released as a consumer record player. But it very | | | | mind - it is time to move on. The evolution does not |
| quickly spread in the world of disc jockeys. The MK2 | | | | stop - and the ones who adjust live on. |
| upgrade has become the most favourite turntable for | | | | Nevertheless, Technics SL1200 turntables are still |
| DJs and their tricks, including scratching. Technics | | | | predicted to live on for another decade or so. With the |
| turntable has since been around for more than thirty | | | | arrival of digital technology, the notorious decks will only |
| years. Its durability and solid build, together with | | | | move deeper underground, where they truly belong. |
| excellent precision have changed the way DJs choose | | | | To sum up, Technics SL1200 turntables will be |
| their decks. A sample sl1200 model features in Science | | | | discontinued, whether it is in near or more distant |
| Museum in London as a piece of technology that has | | | | future. The digital age has dawned and is mercilessly |
| shaped the history of the modern world. | | | | taking its toll. But discontinuation does not mean |
| But technology is moving faster and faster every day. | | | | disappearance. Technics DJ equipment will live on in |
| The computers we buy are outdated within months, | | | | the hands of the old-school artists. |
| and so are the mobile phones. The music industry is | | | | |