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Turntable used as part of a DJ setup

Creator Name

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Technics

Cultural Context

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Japanese; African American

Date

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Creation: 20th century

About the Work

Curationist LogoCurationist Object Description
A 1970s Technics SL-B2 turntable. In the decades to come, this model became an industry standard for DJs due to its direct-drive motor and speed adjustment dial. By working the two in tandem, DJs could deliver quick beat matching with smooth playback.
National Museum of African American History and Culture Object Description
A Technics SL-B2 turntable. The turntable has a clear plastic covering and is mounted on a plastic plinth or base, white in color. The top of the clear plastic case has a logo that reads: [Technics]. On the front of the plinth there are speed and pitch controls and a stop push button. White text on a black background reads: [Technics / Frequency Generator Servo Automatic / SL-B2]. Atop the plinth, towards the proper right, is the platter, black mat, silver spindle, and strobe light pattern. On the proper left side, towards the top, is the tonearm, counterweight, cueing mechanism, arm rest, and anti-skate. The back of the turntable has two cables and a power cord. There is also a ...

Work details

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Title

Turntable used as part of a DJ setup

Creator

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Technics (link to bio), Manufacturer
Technics, Japanese, founded 1918;
Angelo T. King, American, born 1959;
Technics, Japanese, founded 1918, Manufactured by;
Angelo T. King, American, born 1959, Used by

Worktype

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Record player; Musical instrument; Audio equipment
turntables (sound device component)

Cultural Context

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Japanese; African American
African Americans

Material

metal , plastic , cork (bark) , wire

Dimensions

H x W x D: 5 1/16 × 15 7/8 × 14 5/8 in., 11 lb. (12.9 × 40.3 × 37.1 cm, 5 kg)

Technique

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Language

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Date

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Creation: 20th century
1970s;
Date: 1970s

Provenance

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Angelo T. King / The Original DJ Tony Tone AKA Tony Crush of The Cold Crush Brothers

Style Period

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Rights

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CC0
CC0

Inscription

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Location

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Creation: Japan
New York City; New York; United States; North and Central America; Japan; Asia

Subjects

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Descriptive Topic: Electronics, Technology
African American; Hip-hop (Music)

Topic

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Curationist Contributors

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Jessica Gengler; Brianna Beckford

Related Content

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Part of: Sonic Struggles: Plunderphonics and A Case for Immaterial Repatriation

All Works in Curationist’s archives can be reproduced and used freely. How to attribute this Work:

Technics, Turntable used as part of a DJ setup, 1970s. Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. This turntable became an industry standard because it enabled DJs to deliver quick beat matching with smooth playback. CC0.

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