Why does the pitch of an audio clip go higher or lower when slowed or sped up?

Question

Why does the pitch of an audio clip go higher or lower when slowed or sped up?

In: Technology

Answer 1

Typically, this would be done by speeding up a tape.

Pitch is defined by frequency of notes. Higher frequency = higher pitch, lower freq = lower pitch.

Imagine a length of paper tape with marks on it at regular intervals, say 1 inch between each.

Move the tape at 1 inch per second, and you have frequency of 1 mark per sec. Double the speed, and the frequency will be 2 marks per second. Double it again, and the frequency is 4 marks per second.

That’s how you increase frequency. Frequency goes up, pitch goes up.