Editing Pitch control

{{Short description|Control on an audio device}}
{{About|audio device controls|aircraft controls|Pitch (aviation)}}
{{Refimprove|date=January 2013}}

[[Image:Technics SL-1210MK2 pitch control.jpeg|thumb|150px|Technics SL-1210MK2 turntable pitch control slider]]

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.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://manuals.plus/technics/sl-1210mk7r-direct-drive-turntable-system-manual#pitch_control_fine_adjustment_to_pitch | title=Technics SL-1210MK7R Direct Drive Turntable System Instruction Manual | date=18 April 2022 }}</ref> 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. 

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, Los Angeles|Sun Valley]] added vari-speed as a feature of portable cassette decks in 1975.  The C-104 and C-105 models incorporated this feature.<ref>[http://www.rainerlinz.net/NMA/articles/Ferric-oxide.html Ferric-oxide Archeology,6. Superscopes and varispeed]</ref><ref>Marantz Far East In Name Change; Adds Superscope, Billboard Magazine, December 7, 1974, Page 40</ref>

Superscope [[trademark]]ed 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.<ref>[http://www.mytrademarkia.com/varispeed-73025543.html Vari-Speed trademark 73025543]</ref><ref>[https://ourvinylweighsaton.com Musical Instruments & Musical Recorder]</ref>

== DJing ==
[[File:Volxvergnuegen Party Munich 6.jpg|thumb|Pitch adjustment and beatmatching on a Technics SL-1210MK2 turntable]]
Pitch control is fundamental for [[DJing]]. By changing pitch, a DJ can alter the speed of an upcoming track to match its [[tempo]] to that of the currently playing track so that the [[Beat (music)|beats]] are synchronized, a technique called [[beatmatching]]. Through beatmatching, a DJ can create smooth transitions between tracks in a [[DJ set]].

Turntables, [[CDJs]], [[DJ controllers]], and DJ software allow DJs to change the speed at which a track is played for this purpose. [[Technics SL-1200]] turntables allow pitch changes to +/− 8% or 16%, depending on the model, and modern DJ gear often allows a range of +/- 100% (from pausing the track to playing the track twice as fast).

Modern DJ equipment also features [[Audio time stretching and pitch scaling|time stretching]], which allows the speed of a track to be changed without affecting its pitch, a feature often called "Master Tempo" or "Key Lock". Some equipment also features [[pitch shifting]], allowing pitch to be adjusted independently of tempo; this allows changing the [[musical key]] of tracks so that transitions between them sound more pleasing to the listener, a practice called [[harmonic mixing]].

== Reset button ==
On Technics SL-1200 turntables, pressing the Reset button returns the pitch to a fixed preset value of +/−0% regardless of the pitch control position.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://manuals.plus/technics/sl-1210mk7r-direct-drive-turntable-system-manual#pitch_control_fine_adjustment_to_pitch |title=Technics SL-1210MK7R Direct Drive Turntable System Instruction Manual |date=18 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.technics.com/global/home/sl1200/heritage.html |title=SL-1200 ‒ Heritage - Technics}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Audio time stretching and pitch scaling]]
* [[Beatmatching]]

==References==

{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.podcomplex.com/blog/index.php/2007/09/27/pitch-control-on-the-vinyl-side/ Pitch Control]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pitch Control}}
[[Category:Audio engineering]]
[[Category:DJ equipment]]
[[Category:DJing]]
[[Category:Hip-hop production]]
[[Category:Sound recording]]