Technics DT1210: Exactly the same form factor as the Technics 1210, but with futuristic blue neon like the Vestax VCI-100 Mk 2. Is this the end of controllerism?
* For those of you coming to this late, it was an April Fool post…
Well we didn’t see this one coming. Panasonic, the company behind the recently discontinued Technics SL1210, today announced that it is relaunching its emblematic turntable of the past 30 years… as a digital control surface for all major DJ software, including Traktor, Virtual DJ and Serato. The new DT1210 will look and feel exactly the same as the traditional SL1210, but will have a built-in 24-bit/96kHz sound card and will output either line or phono-level signals, allowing it to be used with all standard DJ mixers.
The only giveaway that it is any different at all from the original turntable is the small USB jack on the back, and the fact that it doesn’t have an earth lead – plus its futuristic blue LED pitch control and surface light, similar to the Vestax VCI-100 Mk II DJ controller.
“We have seem other companies make digital inroads into the DJ box, but nobody has yet established a digital standard, after five years of uncertainty of our own making,” says the company.
“But there’s still physical space for turntables in every DJ box. By making the Technics 1210 work with all current DJ software, we think we have the industry standard for the next 30 years in our hands and can put an end to this controllerism and CDJ confusion.”
Technical details are still scarce, but it seems a small driver – already built in to Windows, OS X, iOS and Android – allows the new control surface (which apparently has semi-permanently attached control vinyl, a little like the Stanton SCS.1 system) to work “out of the box” with Midi-mappable DJ programs on any of these platform.
A & B-sided vinyl supplied for true four-channel DJing
In a clever twist, you’ll be able to physically turn the control vinyl over, just like turning over a record, for full four track DJing. It even works with djay for iPad, meaning iPad DJs can just roll up and play with no more gear necessary past a pair of headphones.
The surprise move will be welcomed by turntable purists, as if it is a success, it means that digital DJing will retain the look and feel of vinyl for the foreseeable future, making the skills that purists feel are being lost immediately relevant again.
However, it spells trouble for controller and CDJ manufacturers, as it means that the turntable in general and Technics in particular may well regain and keep their throne as “the way DJing is done”, at least in club DJ booths.
More when we get it.
Do you think the new Technics could spell the end of controllerism? Will you be learning on the new digital vinyl system from the turntable experts instead of going down the “button pushing” route? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Now go to:
7 Ways the Demise of the Technics Turntable Will Change DJ Culture
Pioneer Officially Enters Traktor Market with the DDJ-T1 4-Deck Controller
4-Deck DJ Controllers: The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide 2011
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Tags: technics
We wish!
[ link ]That’s a very clever idea! I like it!
[ link ]nice try, 1st april;D
[ link ]if it is an april fools.. it’s a little late!
sounds plausable though…??!!??
[ link ]haha yeah thats what i thought at first, but u never know
[ link ]This is an April Fools joke…right?
[ link ]My parachute pants thank you.
Still waiting for my vintage cassette controller.
[ link ]xDDDDDDDDDDD
Keep dreaming!
[ link ]Honestly, if this is gonna contribute to the closed-mindedness of the clubs about the equipment you use to DJ I don’t really like the news. It can also be said that this is just a way to pander to the DJs who could never get with the times. I’m not sure how this spells trouble for CDJ and controller manufacturers. Why would anyone give up their controller or CDJs for this, other than some kind of cultural pressure coming from the 90s?
[ link ]Yeah, I’m gonna have to agree with Daniel Memetic on this one. I dont see everybody throwing their VCI or their Numark in the dumpster over a single product that is only going to appeal to a single group of bitter die-hard vinyl purists. It does sound like an interesting product and Technics obviously has a great idea and there’s no doubt it will be of the highest quality available. Still yet, my Mixtrack Pro is’nt going to be replaced by 2 heavy record decks that I’m afraid to even ponder the price of…
[ link ]Indeed. Although this was apparently an April Fools joke (fooled me for a while, good job
), if it were to happen for real that’s what I’d think of it. Competition is fine, of course, and there could even be a niche for this, but.. I don’t think we can stop the evolution that easily. :p
Cheers
[ link ]Cultural pressure coming from the 90′s? You mean back in the day when DJ’s actually worked to hold down mixes? Today I see a lot of hipster, DJ wanabes runnning out of ableton or traktor in the safety of ‘warp mode’ or beat grid’ while they parade around with their trigger fingers in the air trying to look cool. It’d be better to just find some really hot chick to dance while you stream a mix off soundcloud or a CD. How wants to watch some ‘sucka dj’ act like he’s actually doing something? I sure don’t/ Controllers are for producer and LIVE PA performers, not DJ’s. And I don’t believe tweaking a HP filter on a channel is a live performance.
I think controllers are pandering to those DJ’s who NEVER LEARNED TO SCRATCH OR BEAT JUGGLE. Unless of course you’re Tim Exile, but I doubt that.
[ link ]Fair play… But we thought we were just having a little joke…
[ link ]Love this endless debate and I think I’m finally at peace with it.
Ultimately, it comes down what is coming out of the speakers. There is no doubt there is an art when it comes to DJing. Beat juggling, sustaining mixes, etc. I, myself, actually got bored of DJing once the Ableton era came about because it lost some of it’s artform and mystique.
However, for most people, it just comes down to what’s playing on the speakers.
It’s kinda like photography. There is no doubt that there is an art to taking photos on film, developing the prints yourself in a darkroom, etc. However, we live in the Photoshop era. So much can be done with photos/images now that it’s laughable. But, it’s ultimately what makes you go WOW that’s important. It’s all about pushing the medium with the tools you have.
Alot of stuff out there via Ableton and Photoshop is crap. Because there are more people with access to it. Many of which don’t have the discipline to “learn it properly and make it classy.” But then again, there are few that take the tools, manipulate them and become innovators with it. And that is exciting.
[ link ]I don’t see many people checking out your equipment I just see them dancing to what’s coming out of your speakers.
[ link ]I can’t wait! But do you still need you’re own control vinyl?
[ link ]And can you drop on a normal record?
Oh my lord, I need to have one. I’ll need to sell my 1210-M5Gs though, who’ll want them when you could have this new beast.
[ link ]I’ll take your M5Gs no problem. Just now getting up in the DJ game and need the staples!
[ link ]I’ve read so many april’s fools that I would have loved to be true today!
[ link ]And today Moog music launched the polyphonic theremin. Cant wait to see that get the controller treatment.
[ link ]One question…
Who wants a full digital portable hardware attachment to use their technics with ITCH?
Cooming soon…
[ link ]If its a joke then its a real bad one…if not…well…it can’t get better than this
[ link ]Yes!Everyone It’s an April fools joke. =)
[ link ]If you guys click the photo, there’s more details
[ link ]Not the joke to be playing guys… Not at all…
[ link ]would’ve fallen for it if it wasn’t for all the comments
[ link ]Damn April Fool’s day….lol.
[ link ]Nice Idea. However, I don’t see the end to controllerism. Controllerism is the future.
[ link ]it sounds nice but its much easier to carry around a controller id def buy 2 of them though to have
[ link ]permanently attached control records = April fools joke… C’mon guys.
[ link ]I have a feeling this is a bit too much of a coincidence to be true. Especially since it’s april fool’s day!
[ link ]not cool! i’ve been fooled so easily
[ link ]I think that Technics made a good move and it will definitely be a debate for quite a long time but I think there are too many doors open for DJing that there will ALWAYS be choice for any DJ to get into. Standards will never happen again because technology will not allow a standard.
There is portable, installation, and niche solutions for DJing that technology is directly responsible for. I think the Technics will definitely have a market but the end of Controllerism? I don’t think so. I think that most DJs nowadays will have two setups. A home/full size/show setup and a portable/mobile/niche setup.
[ link ]While it was indeed an April Fool, you make a valid point – the chance of standards happening again is pretty small,
[ link ]For those of you coming to this late, this was an April Fool. Most people weren’t fooled, but some (notably an unnamed member of the Gearjunkies crew) fell hook, line and sinker!
To the best of our knowledge, nobody has any plans to re-release the Technics 1210 with reversible records to let you play four decks on two turntables…
Thanks to those who played along and shared the joke with their friends… and sorry if we got your hopes up!
[ link ]dammit !! but maybe they are actually making them
we dont know
[ link ]Maybe they’ll see the love for the idea and consider it…. We should ask for royalties!
[ link ]My comment about diy attachment were real, not joke…
[ link ]Gets my vote if it were true.
[ link ]If this was true i would be pre ordering them now!
[ link ]i find it be greatest idea iv heard in 7years i love….tech’s forever….vinnal is the real ish
[ link ]Arduino is the word.
[ link ]if you can’t mix and scratch on technics 1200 or 1210 you not a dj this good for the technics company and all true djs.
[ link ]