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 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.

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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