During the last several months there have been a lot of rumours that the Panasonic Company would be discontinuing the legendary piece of Technics DJ equipment – the SL1200 series of turntables. This has come as a big shock to many fans of the famous Technics turntable. A lot of the fans reacted with anger, and some with grief. We must remember however, that these are only rumours and have not been backed up with facts. In fact, the Panasonic company their selves have allegedly made a statement explaining that this particular series of turntables will definitely not be discontinued, at least for now. Whether this series of turntables gets discontinued or not, it will always have a place in the hearts of all DJs. Having said this however, in this new digital age it will have to face up to a very tough competition.

The technics SL1200 was first brought to the attention of many DJs in October 1972; however a lot of people do not know that the device was originally released as a consumer record player. Since then the device has quickly spread into the world of DJs. The MK2 upgrade has quickly become one of the best and most favourite turntables for all DJs and their tricks’, including scratching. This turntable has been around for over 30 years, this is partly due to its durability and solid build. This, combined with its fantastic position, has changed the way DJs all over the world choose their decks. There is even one of the SL1200 turntables in the science Museum in London which features a piece of technology that helps shape the history of the modern world.

In this day and age, technology is moving even faster every single day. If you buy a computer now, it will more than likely be outdated within just a few months, the same goes with mobile phones. This huge music industry is experiencing massive shift, this is the shift from analogue media (tape, cassette, VHF, CDs and DVDs) to the digital formats including MP3. We are now able to store an almost unlimited amount of data are very small device. So will the Technics SL 1200 turntable survive in this day and age?

Whether this device is discontinued or not, there will come a point in time when no one will use an turntable. Most DJs around the world have already started to use digital media. We need to realise that the analogue age is over, and long gone are the days of being a DJ who has to carry around heavy cases with vinyl records.

One other company that seem to realise this is Panasonic, with their recent confusing comments they seem to have sprung not only an entire new wave of sales of these turntables, but they have also made DJs realise that it is time to move on.

Having said all of this, it is predicted that the Technics SL 1200 will live on for at least another decade. However, they will more than likely move deeper underground, where they belong.

In summary, the Technics SL 1200 will eventually be discontinued, we don’t know whether it will be in a few months, or a few years but we know that it will happen.