Pitch control

A variable speed pitch control (or vari-speed) is a control on an audio device such as a turntable, tape recorder, or CD player that allows the operator to deviate from a standard speed (such as 33, 45 or even 78 rpm on a turntable), resulting in adjustments in pitch.[1] The latter term "vari-speed" is more commonly used for tape decks, particularly in the UK. Analog pitch controls vary the voltage being used by the playback device; digital controls use digital signal processing to change the playback speed or pitch. A typical DJ deck allows the pitch to be increased or reduced by up to 8%, which is achieved by increasing or reducing the speed at which the platter rotates.

Technics SL-1210MK2 turntable pitch control slider

Turntable or CD playing speed may be changed for beatmatching and other DJ techniques, while pitch shift using a pitch control has myriad uses in sound recording.

Vari-speed in consumer cassette decks

Superscope, Inc. of Sun Valley added vari-speed as a feature of portable cassette decks in 1975. The C-104 and C-105 models incorporated this feature.[2][3]

Superscope trademarked the name Vari-Speed in 1974. The trademark category was Computer & Software Products & Electrical & Scientific Products. The trademark goods and Services use was Magnetic tape recorders and reproducers. The trademark expired in 1995.[4][5]

DJ pitch usage
Pitch adjustment and beatmatching on a Technics SL-1210MK2 turntable

For DJs the possibility to alter the pitch on their turntables or CD players is standard. On the Technics SL-1200 turntables there both has been the possibility of changing the pitch +/− 8% and models where you could change the pitch +/− 16%. This has become the standard amongst DJs and most software that emulates a DJ setup have their pitch control often standard at +/− 8%. With the possibility to change it to +/− 16% and some other values. By changing the pitch the DJ can alter the BPM of a record within this limited range. This is a key component for beatmatching, enabling the DJ to get two records to play at the same BPM thereby synchronising the beat for the dancers.

Reset button

On Technics SL-1200 turntables, pressing the Reset button[6] returns the pitch to a fixed preset value of +/−0% regardless of the pitch control position.[7]

See also

References
  1. "Technics SL-1210MK7R Direct Drive Turntable System Instruction Manual". 18 April 2022.
  2. Ferric-oxide Archeology,6. Superscopes and varispeed
  3. Marantz Far East In Name Change; Adds Superscope, Billboard Magazine, December 7, 1974, Page 40
  4. Vari-Speed trademark 73025543
  5. Musical Instruments & Musical Recorder
  6. "Technics SL-1210MK7R Direct Drive Turntable System Instruction Manual". 18 April 2022.
  7. "SL-1200 ‒ Heritage - Technics".


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