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). 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.[1][2]

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.[3][4]

DJ pitch usage

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 a certain range. This is a key component for beatmatching, because the DJ is trying to get both of their records playing at the same BPM which will make it possible to keep them in sync once the beats are matched.

See also

References
  1. Ferric-oxide Archeology,6. Superscopes and varispeed
  2. Marantz Far East In Name Change; Adds Superscope, Billboard Magazine, December 7, 1974, Page 40
  3. Vari-Speed trademark 73025543
  4. Musical Instruments & Musical Recorder


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