Do you use variable speed on your turntable?


My turntables JVC TT101 and TT81 both have elaborate speed controls which allow quartz controlled accuracy when the speed is changed in small controlled increments, faster or slower than the selected 33 1/3, or 45 rpm speed.

Many turntables allow this controlled speed variance but besides dj's looking to match beats, who ever uses this very expensive feature? When my tables were made no one was beat matching as far as I know so dj's needs didn't drive this design. I can understand this on 78's because of inaccurate recording technology, but there isn't a 78 speed on these turntables and modern records are probably 99.9% accurate so that wasn't the consideration either.

So what is the point?
aigenga

Showing 1 response by johnnyb53

I have a Technics SL1210M5G and I *do* use the speed control once in awhile. I have the rare, out-of-print and normally expensive 2-LP Classic Records release of "Kind of Blue." It has the original incorrect speed version of side one and the speed corrected version on the other side of the first LP. I got it for $5 at a record swap meet because the corrected version of side 1 is crackly and noisy. The uncorrected side is quiet and perfect. So I play that side and use the speed control to correct it.

I also practice bass by playing along with records. Many records are not recorded at A440 pitch. In some cases the musician may alter the tuning or it may be that the mixdown or mastering speed was altered. Anyway, I don't want to retune my bass every time a song is off-pitch, so I correct it with the speed control instead.