The Technics SL-DZ1200 got a savage review over at SkratchWorx. The turntable is well known to have been a d dissappojntment but it looks like this review may have been especially savage. There are lots of complaints about not receiving a unit to review from Panasonic, hopefully the “snubbed” author didn’t just rake Technics across the coals for not receiveing his due attention.

At anyrate the review is in depth and informative, however late it is, and is worth a read if you don’t already know by now that the turtable sucks.

SKRATCHWORX™ v2 - Technics SL-DZ1200 Review - By ProfessorBX - November 2005

Stanton has produced a new deck that has a straight tone arm. This deck is causing an uproar in some corners as many people feel that is is superiour to the elderly Technics. Cono121 posted a poll on the topic asa farce but competition heated up on the topic. With MO75 in vain trying to say the poll didn’t matter “Dan Warb” replied with the best quote of the day

“Your telling us that your not really interested in this poll ! Then why are you so keen to keep telling us that no one gives a crap about these results ?? It seams like were touching Technic heads nerves again.”

Ouch !! Seems the rising popularity of these decks is unsettling to more than a few

Young djdeeuu asks about a QBert video idea on djpages.com and promptly gets his ass handed to him.

The coo de gras is this fine ass quote:

Along with a ‘tickle me Q Bert’, ‘How to dress and talk like Q-bert’ DVD……and ‘How to collect giant Gundam robots like Q-bert does’ limited edition VHS (NTSC only, though)…..

The crux of the matter is the impact QBert has on turntablism. The three time DMC champion is an inspiration to many turntablists. QBerts inspiration can have a crushing effect on those learning turntablism, if they focus only on him. Many turntablists focus more on how Qbert “does it” and less on developing as an artist.

Newcomers do need a source of knowledge to learn from. Qbert videos and tutorials provide this in a unique way that isn’t available otherwise. Fresh turntablists can move on to developing their own uinique styles faster if they learn from the Qbert product line. That being said how many are blinded by the artist ?

What do you think ? Is the QBert product line and Qbert reputation hurting the art ?

The cats over at djsource are having a go at it over the age old question, are mk5’s really worth it ?

The responses are all for the mk2’s by minimizing the defects the mk5 fix.

Things they say:

its a mk2, with no click on the fader and a pitch reset button

The justification for not needing to get rid of the click…

the fader click problem is about as overhyped as 0.1% pitch control on cd players… if your that close to 0% and its giving ya probs, just pitch the other deck up/down slightly

The Mk5…

also it has an led target lamp instead of a regular one if i remember right

On the mk2 you need to have a mod installed…

disabling quartz lock

All those problems in and of them selves are minor and worth overlooking but fixed together boys the mk5 is a much better value. I dunno about you but I don’t like buying things with “minor annoyances”.

Seems they missed the overall point of it to me. But what do I know I am just a writer.

Gemini announced the CD-150 Rackmount CD Player, the latest addition to their affordable product line. The CD-150 has features for both consumers and professionals. The new CD player is equipped with a control panel which can accessed on the the player or via a remote. The CD-150 also delivers Anti-Shock™ Protection, Seamless Loop, +/- 12% Variable Pitch Control, +10 track select, three time display modes, and dual jog mode capability. The release date is set for November 2005.

The Numark HDX release is going to turn the digital turntable market on its head. The new turntable was announced to have a hot swappable eighty gigabyte hard drive. The HDX also sports a support for mp3, cd, and wma formats. The 80 gig hard drive will allow the turntable instantly recall songs, freeing the dj from juggling media. The HDX is similar to its predecessor the CDX. It simulates the look an feel of a traditional turntable allowing DJ’s to use the skills they use for vinyl on with a new format.

The addition of the hard drive is absolutely a radical change. We think this sweet puppy will turn the market for digital turntables on its head.

• Numark Press release
• regards to engadget

As we enter into the upcoming DMC championships I have to wonder how much of this is hype. I understand that dj’s want a way to compete and showcase their skills but when sponsorship payments start getting to the insane level they are now one has to question the artistic integrity of the work.

Are people pursuing the art of turntablism simply to whore themselves out to the nearest DJ equipment producer ?

Sometimes I think so.

DJ’s sit down, I have some frightening news for you, Technics Turntables are going away.

In the future you will find them but they are going to be the exception and not the norm. Its not going to happen tommorow, or next year but it will happen before the end of the decade.

Why ? You gasp. Quite simple really they are a dieing technology.

There are three primary types of DJ’s that used them. The mobile dj, the mix dj, and the turntablist.

The Mobile DJ’s are primarily concerned with money and portability. For them there is little art or nostalgic pleasure in playing on such an antiquated piece of gear. That means the mobile DJ’s were the first to ditch it and made them the de facto pioneers in new technologies like video mixing, cd’s and now digital ( mp3 ) mixing.

The Turntablist is a specialist and wants to scratch only. There are newer instruments, the QFO mainly and the Stanton STR-8, that are better equipped to allow them to practice their art. The Technics while the first deck used by many turntablist is no longer the preferred table.

Finally the are mix DJ’s that love the Technics are the last holdouts but even they are starting to see the trend. With famous dj’s ( ie Sasha ) experimenting in new mediums it is only a matter of time until other dj’s follow this trend.

Even Technics creator admits the downfall of the equipment by beginning to search for the replacement to the venerable1200/1210 by experimenting with DVD turntables and other new technologies.

What do think will be the next generation ?
Think I am all wrong ( I’m not though ) ?