Technics sl 1200 models
Technics SL-1200 is a series of direct-drive turntables originally manufactured from October 1972 until 2010, and resumed in 2016, by Matsushita (later known as Panasonic) under the brand name of Technics. S means "Stereo", L means "Player". Originally released as a high fidelity consumer record player, it quickly became adopted among radio and disco club disc jockeys, thanks to the direct drive, high torque motor design, making it initially suitable for pushbutton cueing and starting of tracks on radio and in dance clubs. It is still extremely popular with audiophiles.
When the use of slip-mats for cueing and beat-mixing (and scratching) became popular in hip hop music, the quartz-controlled high torque motor system enabled records to be mixed with consistency and accuracy. A primary design goal was for hi-fidelity, but having good build quality, 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 1978, SL-1200MK2 and its successors were the most common turntable for DJing and scratching. Producers, DJs and MCs refer to the Technics turntable as the "Tec 12's", "that record player" and the "Wheels of Steel".
1200s are commonly used in recording studios and for non-electronic live music performance. More than 3 million units were sold. It is widely regarded as one of the most durable and reliable turntables ever produced. Many 1970s units are still in heavy use. In the autumn of 2010, Panasonic announced that the series was to be discontinued. However, at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show, Panasonic announced that they would return in two models named "Grand Class": one a limited run of 1200 globally (1200GAE), and the other a consumer product (1200G). A lighter and less expensive 1200GR model was announced.
At the London Science Museum, a Technics SL-1210 is on display as one of the pieces of technology that have "shaped the world we live in".
When the use of slip-mats for cueing and beat-mixing (and scratching) became popular in hip hop music, the quartz-controlled high torque motor system enabled records to be mixed with consistency and accuracy. A primary design goal was for hi-fidelity, but having good build quality, 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 1978, SL-1200MK2 and its successors were the most common turntable for DJing and scratching. Producers, DJs and MCs refer to the Technics turntable as the "Tec 12's", "that record player" and the "Wheels of Steel".
1200s are commonly used in recording studios and for non-electronic live music performance. More than 3 million units were sold. It is widely regarded as one of the most durable and reliable turntables ever produced. Many 1970s units are still in heavy use. In the autumn of 2010, Panasonic announced that the series was to be discontinued. However, at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show, Panasonic announced that they would return in two models named "Grand Class": one a limited run of 1200 globally (1200GAE), and the other a consumer product (1200G). A lighter and less expensive 1200GR model was announced.
At the London Science Museum, a Technics SL-1210 is on display as one of the pieces of technology that have "shaped the world we live in".
Original Model SL-1200
The SL-1200 was introduced in 1972 as an evolution to the popular SL-1100. It was dubbed "The Middle Class Player System". It was delivered in two different versions: The SL-1200 came with a tonearm section. The SL-120 came without a tonearm section. An SME tonearm was the usual choice for the audiophile.
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MK2 Models
The SL-1200 Mark 2 was introduced in 1979 as an update to the SL-1200. It represented a culmination of Technics Turntable Innovations. It was dubbed as "The Middle Class Quartz Direct Drive". It soon found its way into discos as well as radio stations for airplay becauseof its vibration damping ability and resistance to feedback, and eventually it became popular with pioneering hip-hop DJs. Model numbers indicated colour: the 1200 (silver) and 1210 (matte black). This was the same in the US and Japan initially, however later the 1200 was availablein both silver and matte black finishes. Since 1997, The Mk2 had the pitch slide potentiometer improved in order to remove the quartz lock conflict when beatmatching near the 0% mark. in order to do this, the SFDZ122N11-1 part number was replaced with an improved SFDZ122N11-2 part which hada +/- 0.5mm quartz travel lock, much shorter than previous versions. This meant that the null point on the centre voltage tap was slightly bigger thus removing the quartz lock conflict.
SL-1200MK2
Released in 1979 Comes in both silver and matte black. Technics improved the motor and shock resistance, added a ground wire, and changed the rotary pitch control to a slider style. This is now the base model and is the oldest whose production was done until 2010. The older version of this model which was sold in the 1970s and 1980s has a large 4-inch-diameter (100 mm) plate where the RCA and ground wires enter the unit,while the newer version has a smaller 2-inch-diameter (51 mm) 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.
International versions of the SL-1200MK2 included switches for line voltage and frequency beneath the platter.
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SL-1210MK2
Comes in matte black only Is nearly the same in function as the SL-1200MK2,although some of the circuitry inside is updated to use fewer different types of pots and resistors.The Technics 1210 series also had a switch to change between voltages on the underside of the platter,whereas the 1200 series did not. It used to be unavailable from official Panasonic dealers in the United States.
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SL-1200MK2PK
Has a matte black finish, and was only available in the USA.
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MK3 Models
SL-1200MK3
Released in 1989 Has a matte black finish like the MK2, gold RCA plugs,and a small gold-foil Technics label on the back. It was destined only for the Japanese market.
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SL-1200MK3D
Japan release only
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SL-1200M3D
Released in 1997 Has a silver finish like the MK2,a detached dust cover (no hinges), and no detent ("click") at the zero point of the pitch adjustment slider,allowing more precise control of pitch near that point.It also has a reset button which sets the pitch adjustment to 0, regardless of the actual position of the pitch adjustment slider.
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SL-1210M3D
Is the same as the SL-1200M3D except with a matte black finish like the MK2, except for the voltage switch.
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MK4 Models
SL-1200MK4
Released in 1997 Has a matte black finish like the MK2,and is only available for sale in Japan. This model is aimed at the hi-end audiophile market rather than for DJs. This is the last model made with the detent ("click") in the middleof the pitch adjustment slider.It has a third button added for 78 RPM located to the right of the 33 RPM and 45 RPM buttons. It is also designed to be used with regular removable RCA cables (along with a removable ground/earth cable) rather than having hard wired RCA cables like all the other1200/1210 models.
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MK5 Models
SL-1200MK5
Released in 1 November 2002 Comes in both silver and matte black. increases the range of anti-skate settings from 0–3 grams-force (0–30 mN) to 0–6 grams-force 0–60 mN). Also has a white LED target light (previous versions only had a globe and burnt out over time).Current MK5 models have a removable lid with magnets as opposed to the MK2 and MK3 removable hinged lid.
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SL-1210MK5
Has a matte black finish like the MK2, and is exactly the same as the SL-1200MK5, aside from the voltage switch, like the other decks in the 1210 series.
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SL-MK5G / SL-1210M5G
Released in 1 November 2002 Has a glossy piano-black finish with silver speckles, was a special 30th-anniversary edition. It was initially launched in Japan only (together with the MK5) but is now internationally available. The difference from the MK5 model is the ability to switch between ±8% and ±16% ranges for pitch adjustment, and the pitch control in this model is completely digital. It also features blue target lights and blue pitch-number illumination.The brake strength potentiometer, although still ocated beneath platter, can now be adjusted, unlike previous models, without the need for a screwdriver thanks to the addition of a small plastic knob.Minor mprovements over Mk2, Mk3, Mk4, & 1200LTD also include improved tonearm mounting and oxygen-free copper wire being used for the signal,improved vibration damping in the body, improvements to the pitch control accuracy and better LEDs.
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MK6 Models
SL-1200MK6-K / SL-1200MK6-S
Released in February 2008 in Japan with minor improvements including improved tonearm mounting and oxygen-free copper wire being used for the signal, improved vibration damping in the body, improvements to the pitch control accuracy and better LEDs. (S model has a silver finish like the MK2.)
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SL-1200MK6K1
SL-1200MK6K1 is the same as the SL-1200MK6 except with a matte black finish like the MK2. Released in 12 December 2007 (in Japan) as a special 35th-anniversary Limited edition of 1000 units.
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MK7 Models
SL-1200MK7
Announced in January 2019 CES, the new model inherits the traditional design of the same series in all black and maintains the same operating ease, reliability and durability, while newly adding a coreless direct drive motor and other sound-enhancing technologies. It also features new DJ play functions and features, such as reverse playback, adjustable starting torque and brake speed, detachable terminals for power cable and phono cables (which was previously only available on the MK4 model), an option to select the strobe light indicator from red to blue (the 33/45 lights, 0-pitch reset light and the X2 pitch range light also change to match the color selected), and a new push-type structure for the white LED stylus illuminator.
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SL-1210MK7
Is the same as the SL-1200MK7, but intended for the European market.
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SL-1210MK7R
Available from September 2020 globally, the SL-1210MK7R is a limited edition version of the SL-1210MK7 produced in collaboration with the Red Bull BC One international breakdancing competition. The SL-1210MK7R comes in Red Bull livery with red headshell, gold-coloured tone arm and decals
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Special models
These were limited edition versions, with 24 karat gold plated metal parts including tonearm and buttons.
SL-1200LTD
The SL-1200 Limited Edition was introduced in 1997 It marks the 25th anniversary of the SL-1200 series. There were only 10,000 made and sold worldwide. These units sold out in less than a year. Wholly based on the MK3, it has a piano black gloss finish and the tonearm & accessories were gold plated
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SL-1200GLD
Another limited edition model (released in 2004), with only 3,000 units manufactured. 1,500 of them were sold in the U.S. and the other 1,500 internationally. It is based on the MK5G model, with blue (instead of the regular white) target lights, and a piano black gloss finish and the tonearm & accessories were gold plated.
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Grand Class Models
SL-1200G
(Announced in January 2016 CES in Las Vegas, released in October 2016) SL-1200 Grand Class, an aluminum bound turntable with a high–damping tonearm, a "three–layer" turntable system, complete with a microprocessor and rotary positing sensors to eliminate cogging, as well as 78 rpm speed compatibility.
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SL-1200GAE
Announced in January 2016 CES in Las Vegas, released in April 2016 SL-1200 Grand Class 50th Anniversary Edition - A Limited edition of 1,200 units. Same as above, with a magnesium case
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SL 1210 GAE
On 28 May 2020, Technics hosted an online launch event to reveal the SL-1210GAE as an alternative for the cancelled High End Munchen 2020 event at which they initially planned to reveal it. It is their 55th Anniversary Edition turntable - A limited edition of 1,000 units. Each unit has a plaque on it with its production number engraved in it. The SL-1210GAE is the black counterpart of the SL-1200GAE and is the same in every aspect except the color and the additional feature to turn off the strobe light. It had an approximate MSRP price of €4,499
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SL-1200GR
Announced in January 2017 the GR model is a stripped-down budget version of the G cutting the price tag more than half at an approximate MSRP of £1,299 / $1,700 USD. It differs in body construction that it uses a more traditional cast aluminium design similar to the older decks and a one-piece cast platter which brings an overall weight difference between the G/GAE. The G/GAE and GR both use what are essentially the same 9-pole motor. Whereas the G has twin rotors, the GR has a single rotor, giving it less torque. The GR differs from the G in its use of a feedback generator coil system (as used in the original SL1200) instead of an optical encoder.
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SL-1210GR
This is the same as the SL-1200GR except with a matte black finish
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