DSP

Image: Analogue Haven

The Tiptop Audio Z-DSP Eurorack module will be programmable via a USB cable.

Here is a diagram of the programmer cable needed to hook up the Z-DSP to a computer. This is a USB to memory card connector and it will be sold separately from the module itself.

Tiptop plans to offer a free programming compiler for writing code and downloading it to the Z-DSP via this cable.

via the Synthtopia Flickr Group

Stretta got his hands on the new Tiptop Audio Z5000, a modular analog CV-friendly DSP effects processor, and says “Go buy one”:

What the world needs is a Eurorack-format DSP with CV control. Along comes the Tiptop Audio Z5000. First of all, it is in stock, you can buy it now. None of this, announce, wait six months, pre pay, wait some more, get aggravated, learn the boards or parts are delayed, etc… This is a real product that you can have in your hot little hands in the time it takes to ship to your door. Kudos for this. Really. Standing ovation

Secondly, it weighs in at under $200. Yes, really. That, my friends, is what I call a reasonably-priced module. Actually, the price is more like, “I don’t have to think about this at all, I’m just going to buy it.”

I spent all of last night playing with it, giggling. Tons of fun. I love putting reverb before the amplifier so the lines you play are smeared, but still gated by the keyboard. A reverb module makes patching far more easy, and opens up creative opportunities you may not have considered before. The Z5000 also includes a handful of other programs like chorus, flanging, but the real focus is on various reverbs

There is nothing about the Z5000 that feels inexpensive. The knobs are nice, the panel graphics and logo have a professional’s eye. Nothing to complain about at all. It feels and works like a solid, professional product, and not some hobbyist side-project. I’m utterly baffled. I hope Tiptop has more products in development, I’m a happy customer.

Stretta’s review is pushing me over the edge – must. get. eurorack. modules.

Read the full review at his site, and let me know if it doesn’t fill you with unbridled modular gear lust.

Now, where can I find a Eurorack case to match a Synthesizers.com cabinet?

Anyone? Anyone?

Tiptop Audio has introduced the Z5000 voltage controlled digital signal processor.

I’ve been talking for a couple months about how Eurorack is where the modular action is now at – and this may push me over the edge……

Description

The z5000 is an analog-controlled digital module with a powerful dsp engine running 16 fft algorithms of 24-bit digital audio.

The z5000 is designed to make post-processing modular synth sound in both mono and stereo easy. The z5000 is designed to handle “hot” modular signals with up to 16vpp of headroom before clipping, It can be integrated into a system like any other module.

Features:

• 13 voltage-controlled stereo effects
• 16 total effects
• custom fft programs running on tiptop audio dsp core at a resolution of 24 bits at 48khz
• specially designed for modular synthesizer signal level inputs and outputs
• independent gain level light for each input

4 input/output combinations:

• stereo in to stereo out
• stereo in to mono out
• mono in to mono out
• mono in to stereo out

Input / output gain control

• wet / dry control
• effects parameter control
• effects parameter cv control

Mechanical specifications:

• format – eurorack
• width – 14hp / 71mm / 2.8”
• depth – 84mm / 3.3”

Electrical specifications:

• dynamic range, snr – 97db
• thd+n – -88 db
• frequency response – 20hz to 16khz
• maximum audio input level – 16vpp (before clipping)
• maximum audio output level (dry/wet) – rail / input
• cv input range – 0v – 5v
• power – +/-12v or +/-15v
• current – 160ma

Adern has announced the release of FleXor 3, an add-on pack of modules designed to “take your Scope Modular system to the next level”. The thick sound of FleXor3 recreates the warmth of analog, as well as offering routes into uncharted digital territory.

150 new synthesis and processing components have been added since the original FleXor collection was released. As well as rich and complex oscillators, waveshapers and filters, a wide range of granular processors, sequencers, modulators and effects has been added.

Description:

FleXor3’s modules are designed to be modulated at audio rate. Together with the Scope’s zero-latency real-time DSP architecture, you can explore extreme sonic worlds that few digital modular systems can reach. FleXor3 can sound lush and creamy or razor sharp, aggressive and futuristic, with an infinite variety of shimmering possibilities in between.

If making patches isn’t your strong point, don’t worry because FleXor3 ships with over 150 patches from our team of gifted and visionary sound designers. A huge range of jaw-dropping synthesizers, audio processors, guitar effects, sequencers and granular manglers are ready to drop straight into your tracks. And if that is not enough, hundreds of additional patches that include FleXor are available for download from Planetz. Read more…