Since its release in 1972 the SL-1200 has been constantly evolving, meeting the requirements of professional DJs everywhere while becoming the world standard turntable. Technics’ newest model, SL1200 MK7, inherits the traditional design, reliability, and operating ease of the series while adding a coreless direct drive motor and other sound-enhancing technologies. SL1200 MK7 combines history and experience, with modern-day technology.
New Coreless Direct Drive Motor
For the SL-1200MK7, a new coreless direct drive motor was developed. This motor employs a coreless stator. Furthermore, the magnetic force of the rotor magnets was improved to the highest possible level, and the gap between the coreless stator and rotor magnets was optimised, thus achieving high torque performance equalling that of the SL-1200MK5. Boasting smooth rotation and powerful torque, this motor reproduces sound accurately and faithfully from the groove on an analogue record.
S-shaped Tonearm, a Technics Tradition
The SL-1200MK7 comes with a static balance S-shaped tonearm to carry on the Technics tradition. The tonearm moves in a unique arc as it tracks the record disc, and reproduces music with high fidelity. The bearing section features a high-precision bearing structure. The tonearm provides high tracking performance without stylus skipping even under hard usage such as scratching.
Pitch Control for a New Chapter in Music History
Pitch control on the SL-1200 was originally utilised for the precise adjustment of rotation speed. Club DJs began using this function to match the pitch between two tracks to achieve smooth transition. This technique led to the explosive popularity of the SL-1200 worldwide. The current vertical fader was first installed on the SL-1200MK2. This change was made to simplify use for DJs. The MK7 has newly incorporated full digital control to enable accurate and stable adjustment within the range of ±8/16%.
Inheriting, and Enhancing the Operating Ease of the SL-1200 Series
Starting Torque/Brake Speed Adjustment Function
The SL-1200MK7 employs the newest motor control technology refined through the development of Blu-ray disc products. Utilising a microcomputer, this advanced motor control technology ensures high performance in normal rotation and also responds accurately to a wide range of DJ play styles, such as scratching. The starting torque and brake speed can be adjusted individually to suit the user’s preference.
Reverse Play Function Expands the Breadth of DJ Play Styles
Stylus Illuminator Featuring a High-brightness and Long-life LED The stylus illuminator features a new push-type structure and employs a high-brightness and long-life white LED. The illumination area and intensity were reviewed to provide improved visibility of the stylus tip compared to previous models even in a dark environment.
A Traditional Design Ideal for DJ Play
Stylus Illuminator Featuring a High-brightness and Long-life LED
The stylus illuminator features a new push-type structure and employs a high-brightness and long-life white LED. The illumination area and intensity were reviewed to provide improved visibility of the stylus tip compared to previous models even in a dark environment.
User-friendly Stylus Light
The light that illuminates the stylus and its position on the record was featured for the first time on the SL-1200MK2. Technics opted for a popup-type light, not a detachable type, for easier use. The SL-1200MK7 comes with a white LED that offers high brightness and a long life. The illumination was improved and its range was reviewed to ensure optimal visibility.
Symbol of the SL-1200 Series
The original purpose of the strobe light, a standard feature on all models from the first-generation SL-1200, was to enable an accurate visual adjustment of the rotation speed. Since Technics incorporated quartz control, in models starting with the MK2, the rotation speed became extremely stable; thus, there was no need for the strobe anymore. However, DJs wanted the familiar strobe on the turntables they use, so it is still provided on the current model. The SL-1200MK7 comes with an LED strobe that can be set to illuminate in red or blue.
