Technics SL-DZ 1200 > Reviews (1)

The legendary SL1200 turntable has been the industry standard for vinyl DJs for a long time but having let the patent slip a few years ago there are anumber of comparibly excellent vinyl decks on the market.
Now Technics have turned their talents to the rapidly growing digital DJ market with this very solid and highly useable SL-DZ1200.
The revolving platter mimics the vinyl turntable very well, everything you could do on the old 1210 you can with the DZ, ; slow-downs, back-spins, scratching and more when used with the sample and cue pads, plus realtime looping.
Accessed by 4 luminated pads, the sampler has around 30 seconds of in-built memory expandable with SD memory cards enabling realtime editing & looping from the CD player. The MP3 function does not permit the freedom of manipulation available for audio CDs but for the discerning DJ, MP3s don't cut it against original CD audio.
The illuminated LCD screen is used for most of the DZs functions and editing
The in-built effects are limited to filters, ring modulators and cartridge emulators but can be used when sampling for some useable fx loops.
Cue points can be stored on SD cards and the deck will memorise a number of cue ponts for each CD inserted.
Despite the obvious advantage of using this deck in pairs, it would sit quite happily on its own alongside an existing vinyl set-up for DJs wishing to step into the digital realm and the player/turntable switch lets it become a shiney jukebox when used with an MP3 CD, supporting CD text and MP3 tags.
Digital and analogue outputs add to the useability of this well made and thoughtfully designed digital deck.