Technics is teasing a big reveal at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas later this month.
Vinyl has been making a comeback among consumers for more than a decade now, with plenty of updated hardware to enjoy the vintage sound. But dedicated DJs are often stuck using a decade-old Technics SL-1200 MK6 turntable.
Now, something new is on the horizon.
Panasonic is launching a new event called Technics7th to introduce a new product to the world at CES.
Given the number and the date, it’s reasonable to assume we’ll finally be seeing a new Technics SL-1200 MK7 turntable. The event will feature DJ sets from Kenny Dope, Derrick May, Cut Chemist, and DJ Koco. Both Dommune and Boiler Room will stream the show for those who want to watch the event live.
The Technics SL-1200 was initially intended as a hi-fidelity consumer device back in the 70s. However, several features made it a popular choice for DJs — the quartz-controlled high torque motor aided in beat-matching and mixing.
The SL-1200 turntable first debuted in 1972 and was quickly adopted by New York City hip-hop DJs. Grand Wizzard Theodore, Afrika Bambaataa, and Grandmaster Flash helped to popularize the use of the SL-1200 for scratching.
The SL-1200 turntable series was produced up until 2010 when Panasonic announced it would discontinue the iconic product. Since then, aspiring DJs have turned to the second-hand market to obtain new turntables.
The big reveal at CES may change all of that.
Technics looks set to announce the SL-1200 MK7 turntable as a return to DJ-focused devices. The Technics SL-1210GR was supposed to be that device last year, but the high price point shut out many aspiring DJs from owning two of them.