So, has anyone contacted Humanware yet to see if this was deliberate 
or not?

My question, based on the description of the problem as I think I 
understand it, is:

Why would Humanware not choose to have the thing default to the normal 
pitch, and then have pitch controlled by a pitch control setting.

If they did intend this craziness as the default, then I guess it must 
be the electronic equivalent of putting a pencil eraser or masking 
tape over the motor shaft in those talking book machines from the 
1960's.

Now, my next question is: Will anybody else here admit to ever having 
done that?

Mike Duke, K5XU,
Clandestine hotrod talking book machine expert
Of Mississippi School for the Blind,
a very long time ago