Technics is a brand name of the Panasonic Corporation, a company that produces a variety of electronic products. Technics is a term for the useful arts in general, distinct from that of the performing and fine arts. The name is often mispronounced as "tech-niks". However, according to the manufacturer, the correct pronunciation is 'techniques'.
The name Technics was introduced as a brand name for premium loudspeakers marketed domestically by Matsushita in 1965. The name came to widespread fame with the international sales of direct-drive turntables. In 1969, they introduced the SP-10, the first direct-drive model for the professional market, and in 1971 the SL-1100 for the consumer market. The SL-1100 was used by the influential DJ Kool Herc for the first sound system he set up after emigrating from Jamaica to New York. This latter model was the predecessor to the SL-1200 which, as the upgraded SL-1200 MK2, became a widely used turntable by DJs.
The 1200 model is often considered as the 'Industry Standard' turntable equipment of the DJ industry. Its supreme torque and robust build make it a frequent choice for club venues as standard, eliminating the need for DJ's to transport their own equipment.
Originally created by Panasonic to show off their high-end offerings, by the early 1980s Technics ended up offering an entire range of equipment from entry-level to high-end. Matsushita retired the Technics name almost completely in the early 2000s. Currently, it's used on the 1200 series turntables, and digital pianos, thus limiting their dealerships to music/pro audio stores.
