Originally released as a high fidelity consumer record player, it quickly became adopted among radio and disco club disc jockeys.

The direct drive, high torque motor design made it suitable for push-button cueing for selecting tracks on radio broadcasts and in dance clubs.

Additionally, the Technics SL-1200 series also had the capability for pitch control, allowing the user to change the turning speed of the record, and thereby tempo, gradually from -8% to +8%.

When the use of slipmats for cueing and beat-mixing (and scratching) became popular in hip hop music, the quartz-controlled high torque motor system enabled records to be mixed with consistency and accuracy.

A primary design goal was for high fidelity, but having good build quality, control over wow and flutter, and minimized resonance made the equipment particularly suitable for use in nightclubs and other public-address applications.

As they experimented with the SL-1200 decks, they developed scratching techniques when they found that the motor would continue to spin at the correct RPM even if the DJ wiggled the record back and forth on the platter.

It soon found its way into discos as well as radio stations for airplay because of its vibration-damping ability and resistance to feedback, and eventually, it became popular with pioneering hip-hop DJs.

Following their established formula, Technics offered different model numbers in Europe: the 1200 (silver) and the 1210 (matte black), which were equipped with switchable dual voltage (110V or 220V) power supplies.

This meant that the null point on the centre voltage tap was slightly bigger, thus removing the quartz lock conflict.

[9] Technics improved the motor and shock resistance and changed the rotary pitch control to a slider style.

This model came in a satin black metallic finish and is nearly the same in function as the SL-1200MK2, although some of the circuitry inside is updated to use fewer types of potentiometers and resistors.

Released in 1989, it has a matte black finish like the MK2, gold RCA plugs, and a small gold-foil Technics label on the back.

Manufactured for the Japanese market only, this version includes factory gold RCA cables, with a black or silver finish.

In addition, the M3D series has unique details: the brand and model label is printed in a single line instead of two and the stroboscopic light is red with a slightly orange tone.

It carries over many of the improved upon features of the MK3D, like the lack of 0 crossing quartz lock for better pitch control and the added spare cartridge holder.

It is based on the MK5G model, with blue target lights (instead of the regular white), a piano black gloss finish, and gold-plated hardware.

[13] These models came from the development of a completely rebuilt SL-1200 from the ground up with the intent to create a new system for hi-fi use and to redefine the direct-drive turntable reference.

It is complete with a microprocessor and the use of a newly developed coreless twin-rotor direct-drive motor with no iron core with rotary positing sensors to eliminate cogging, as well as providing 78 rpm speed compatibility.

[19][20][21] Announced in January 2017 at CES,[22] the GR model is a stripped-down budget version of the G, cutting the price tag more than half at an approximate MSRP of £1,299 / US$1,700.

[23][non-primary source needed] The MK7, along with the Grand Class models, no longer have "QUARTZ" printed on the plinth nor dust cover.

The SL-1200 series was developed as a special project by Technics parent company Matsushita in an attempt to solve problems related to turntable design.

In addition, the adjustable rubber-damped feet are insulated against acoustic feedback, which can be a serious problem when operating a turntable in close proximity to loudspeakers (a common situation for DJs).

On the underside of the platter, a large magnet is placed over the spindle, surrounding the coils and forming the motor drive, thus eliminating loss through power transfer.

The SL-1200 utilizes a Frequency Generator Servo Control Quartz Lock system that is claimed to produce the most accurate and consistent speed possible.

The system is immune to static and dynamic stylus drag, which otherwise cause unwanted speed variances that change the pitch and tempo of the music.

On 1 November 2010, Panasonic announced stopping the production of Technics analog turntables through a statement on the DMC World DJ Championships home page.

Due to the increasing popularity of vinyl by DJs, a petition has been underway for the re-launch of the Technics SL1200/SL1210 series turntables.

On 5 January 2016, Technics agreed to relaunch both the SL-1200G and the SL-1200GAE [26] At the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Panasonic announced it would be resuming production with a new line of turntables,[27] beginning with the limited edition SL-1200GAE [28] At the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show, Panasonic confirmed the future production of a new turntable, the SL-1200 Mk7 in matte black, adding new features, fixing known issues with previous models, and an all new lighter construction of aluminum and fiber glass.