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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 2 responses by nsgarch

nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
Hmmm . . . does no one here remember back in the 70's when cassettes were the reigning personal music format (Nakamichi-to-Alpine-to-Walkman) and everyone made their own personal mix tapes? My friends and I considered TT's with variable speed control extra-special because they enabled us to fit a selection, or group of songs, onto one side of a 30 or 60 min. cassette -- plus no 'dead air' when you were driving along, and the auto-reverse kicked in!

Doesn't anyone remember those times? I'm getting sooo depressed ;~(
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nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
Cocoabaroque, I'm not sure I understand you clearly when you say
This is a better method than a visual strobe representation of 33.3, in my opinion.
If I DO understand you, you are saying to adjust the TT speed until an "A" on the recording matches a tone generated "A", which makes perfect sense to me. But then I have a few questions:
Do I need a tone generator? (Suggestions for a cheapie?) Or even better, is there a website that provides accurate tones through your PC's speakers? (wouldn't that be great?!)
Second, finding a sustained "A" in most recorded material doesn't seem all that easy. Any tips?

thx
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