Music Tech

After teasing it last week, Technics has unveiled a new direct drive turntable: the SL-1200MK7. It is the company’s first DJ turntable in about nine years.

According to the company’s press release, the new model “inherits the traditional design of the same series and maintains the same operating ease, reliability, and durability …”

The SL-1200MK7 also adds new DJ features, such as reverse playback, +-8%/+-16% pitch control, and replaceable phono and power cables for improved maintenance.

Technics did not reveal the price and release date.

The announcement was made at the CES event in Las Vegas, where DJs such as Skratch Bastid have taken the turntables for a test drive.

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A post shared by 🎼Skratch Bastid🎶 (@skratchbastid) on Jan 7, 2019 at 11:38am PST

Additional details can be found on Technics’ website.

Related: Reloop RP-7000 MK2 Turntable Review

A year ago, Mojaxx reviewed Jico’s replacement needles for Shure’s M44-7 cartridges. He found that they were a good alternative to the original styli, but they weren’t essential because the originals were still available.

However, that changed in May when Shure announced that it was discontinuing its entire range of phono products. Now, with the new-found need for replacements, Mo takes another look at Jico’s styli.

Watch above on this week’s Tips and Tricks.

Jico’s needles can be purchased at their website, PLANT RECORDS, and Scratch Pro Audio.

Related: Shure Discontinues All Phono Products

This week’s Tips and Tricks is the 200th episode of the series (and the last of 2018), so Mojaxx is feeling nostalgic. To celebrate, Mo went through his retro DJ mixer collection, which includes classics from Technics, Vestax, and Gemini.

Watch above.

Related: Review: Allen & Heath Xone:96 Mixer

This week’s news about Algoriddim’s new djay iOS app generated a lot of attention on DJcity. Now, DJcityTV’s Mojaxx has taken a “first look” at the app for a special episode of Tips and Tricks. Watch above.

Related: Review: Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 Controller

After years of not releasing any DJ equipment, Native Instruments returned to the game in October and unveiled its Traktor Pro 3 software. It also announced two updated controllers: the Traktor Kontrol S2 and S4.

On this week’s Tips and Tricks, Mojaxx delivers his long-awaited review of the S4 and looks at Traktor Pro 3.

Related: Pioneer DJ Announces XDJ-RR Controller

Mojaxx loved Ortofon’s MkII range of Concorde cartridges when he reviewed them earlier this year. But not all DJs want or can use plug-in style cartridges like Concordes.

On this week’s Tips and Tricks episode, Mo looks at the company’s OM series of cartridges, which are designed to fit on a traditional headshell.

Related: Review: Ortofon Concorde MkII Series

Back in 2017, Mojaxx reviewed MK Stands’ isolation boots for the Technics 1200 and 1210 turntables. While Mo and turntablists like ESKEI83 love the boots, they’ve also been critical of them because they raise turntables slightly higher than the mixer.

As a result, MK Stands released an updated version in October called the Pro DJ Isolation System. The new boots put the mixer and turntables at the same height while offering better stability and protection from vibration.

On this two-part episode of Tips and Tricks, Mo gives an updated review of the original isolation boots and takes a look at the new system. ESKEI also makes a cameo.

Watch above.

Related: The Best Keyboard Covers for DJs

All major DJ software have keyboard shortcuts, but memorizing the shortcuts isn’t easy. That’s where keyboard covers come in.

On this week’s episode of DJcityTV’s Tips and Tricks, Mojaxx discusses his favorite brands: KB Covers and Editors Keys.

Watch above.

Related: Improve Your Laptop’s Performance by Cleaning Its Fan

As with any modern digital DJ device, it’s important to keep up with firmware updates. On this episode of Tips and Tricks, DJcityTV’s Mojaxx takes a quick look at the beta firmware update for Rane’s SEVENTY-TWO mixer. The update was recently released in conjunction with the public beta of Serato DJ Pro 2.1.

Related: First Look: Serato DJ Pro 2.1 Beta With TIDAL Integration

Following their announcement last week, Serato has released the Serato DJ Pro 2.1 Public Beta. This version sees the return of music streaming to the software, among other additions.

With the update, TIDAL subscribers are able to play songs from their playlists within Serato. This feature also works with the Serato DJ Lite 1.1 Public Beta.

Another notable feature in this beta is the Serato Play expansion pack. This builds off of the practice mode feature by enabling control over four virtual decks with pitch sliders, faders, and effects using keyboard shortcuts in place of hardware.

Watch Mojaxx‘s first look at the Serato DJ Pro 2.1 Public Beta above.

Related: Serato to Launch Streaming Integrations With SoundCloud and TIDAL