According to various sources, Technics will stop
making turntables in February of 2010.
The Australian arm of Panasonic, which currently owns
the turntable manufacturer, cited steadily declining sales as the
reason for the halt in production.
As one of the first products that enabled consumers to
listen to recordings at home, the turntable qualifies as one of the
most important musical inventions of the 20th century, and Technics
stands out as one of the most iconic and influential brands.
Thanks to a high-torque motor that allowed for quick
start-ups and the first ever direct drive that maintained a steady
pitch even as it was being shifted, the Technics SL-1200 became the
turntables of choice for hip hop DJs and, later, dance music DJs
who turned their record players into instruments.
Panasonic's decision to halt production now is almost
ironic, given how visible and ascendant DJ culture has become in
the last few years. After spending decades as a fringe, underground
subculture, there are now DJ
academies, video games designed to replicate the experience
(DJ Hero), and multiple varieties
of computer software (Serato) designed to aid and augment DJs
everywhere.
Throw in the fact that vinyl sales are through the
roof lately, and the decision looks even stranger.
DJs everywhere are mourning Panasonic's decision, but
anybody who loves hip hop, dance music, or, uh, nü-metal should be,
too.