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

Image: Analogue Haven

The next Eurorack module to be released from Tiptop Audio will be the Z-DSP.

Here is a picture of the incredibly complex prototype. The module will be out in around 4-6 weeks. It features many FX types and includes a memory card slot for loading additional algorithms/fx programs.

Users and other manufacturers will be encouraged to program their own effects via a custom cable, and memory cards can be sold separately with this data.

via the Synthtopia Flickr Group

Here’s 2:53 seconds of glorious, HD synth action, taken at the recent Trash_Audio Synth Meet 3, held Sunday, Aug 16th:

Surachai notes:

We saw the entire range, from noise boxes to full on modular systems in plenty of different formats. If it makes noise, we’re into it.

It looks like the event was a great synth meetup.

Unfortunately, meetups like these still appear to be a guaranteed way to avoid any chance of meeting women involved in music. Or as Stringbot notes, “Who forgot to invite the girls?”

If you’ve got any ideas on how synth meetups could be made more inclusive, leave a comment with your thoughts!

This is a video overview and demo, via Matthew Davidson, of the new Tiptop Audio Z2040 4-pole low-pass filter, which is designed to sound similar to the Prophet 5 Rev 2 synthesizer.

Not only does the video do a great job of showcasing the Tiptop Audio Z2040, but it’s a great example of what gear manufacturers can do to educate people about their products.

If you’re going to spend hundreds of dollars on modular synth gear, you’d like to see it and hear it before you shell out your money. Unless you live in a few places, like LA and Berlin, this probably isn’t going to happen.

Davidson’s video offers a bit of synth porn – giving you the sense of the tactile qualities of the filter, it highlights functional features of the module and it offers audiovideo demos, ranging from basic to advanced musical patches.

Davidson notes:

Demonstration videos are important for things like Euro modules because you usually can’t try one out in person before buying it. So, I made a video that somewhat replicates the experience of holding and using the product. It seems strange but you sort of want to see it up close, turn it around in your hand. I hope you find it helpful.

If you’ve used the Tiptop Audio Z2040 4-pole low-pass filter, leave a comment with your thoughts!

Stefan Breitenfeld has updated his online modular synthesizer planner:

The all-new Modular Planner v1.1, which is a complete redesign of the (ancient?) original version, is now finally available. The most important changes are:

• new design & improved usability (at least I hope so)
• forum included
• mostly MSIE-compatible
• Google maps with dealer and manufacturer locations (to be extended, make suggestions!)
• first multi-manifacturer version (thanks to all of you for your support)
• exchange rates loaded directly from ECB
• atch drawing engine (beta).

The planner should make it easier than ever to make your plans for world synth domination.

Breitenfeld adds, “Enjoy it and feel free to link to it, report bugs and module updates, contribute images, patches & experience and make suggestions for further improvements!”

via MatrixSynth

Z3000 HSM Test

via isotopeofme:

I recently purchased the Z3000 Smart VC-Oscillator from Tiptop Audio and have been intrigued with the HSM input, so I ran it through an audio analyzer to see how the waveforms differ between regular sync and the HSM as I swept the oscillator through it’s full range.

One of the big differences is that HSM isn’t just for pulse/square waves, as I show by using the sine output of my A-111 VCO and monitor the sine output of the Z3000.

One also gets unique and interesting results using both the sync and HSM inputs with different sync sources as is also shown toward the end of the video.

Mind you, this is a bit of a noisy one, not very musical but hopefully clarifies what this unusual and neat function that Tiptop Audio have included on the Z3000 can do.

The EuroRack Monster Planner is an online application that lets you make your plans to rule the world with synth power!

It’s the crack cocaine of synth fantasies, because you can use the Regular 12U Planner to design a relatively reserved modular synthesizer or you can choose the Monster Planner and plan your TyrannoSynth.

Bwa-ha-ha-ha!

There are some great examples of what you can do with the EuroRack Monster Planner at MusicOfSound.

And if you use the EuroRack modular planner to create an awesome modular synth of your own, put a link to it in the comments!

This is another demo video, via GM, showing off the TipTop Audio modules:

Nothing fancy, just a voice made of three Z3000 is spilt into 2 and sent into 2 VCAs controlled by 2 EG’s. From there the signals goes for processing by two Z5000 and into the computer.

Drums and the midi sequence are coming from Live. The analog Hi-Hats are made with filtered white noise. 

This Tiptop Audio video features the Z3000’s doing the Bass drum and Snare drum and the two Z5000 are saturated making the HH’s.

MFB Drum sequencer clocked by LFO triggers the sounds. All the outputs are then mixed with the Plan B mixer, playing the switches to open and close the sounds.

This video demos a complex modular synth patch with the TIpTop Z3000 & Z5000:

This patch got few tricks, first the Z5000 gets the sine from one VCO on his left channel then the sine of a second VCO on his right channel. 

All three Z3000 are first having there frequencies set so they are spaced equally. Then, a CV from the computer Midi to CV is connected to all three, cascaded using the 1V/Oct I/O on the Z3000, all three are now playing the same sequence.

The VCO in the middle is frequency modulating the right VCO, the FM index is set at the ’safe zone’. 

The most left VCO which is set to the highest frequency among the three is pulse width modulating the middle VCO. 

Now the only thing left to do is just plug the waveforms from these three VCOs into filters and VCAS creating separate sound path and then sent to the computer interface for recording. Drums are played by a loop on Ableton Live. Thats it!!

This new video series, Visual Synthesis via GM, explores synthesis basics with graphics that help visualize the sound.

Tiptop Audio has introduced the Z3000 Smart VCO, an all-analog, voltage controlled oscillator. It offers four analog waveforms, wide-range tracking, a built-in tuner and some interesting modulation options.

The z3000 retails for $245.

Description:

The z3000 is an all-analog, voltage-controlled oscillator that gives you the ability to implement synthesis techniques in a controlled and planned manner, turning your modular system into an even more powerful musical instrument.

The z3000 is bilingual – equally fluent in the language of sound (frequency) and music (notes and octaves). its intelligence comes from its built-in arithmetic processor, which allows for relevent data to be displayed constantly, taking the guesswork out of tuning your modular.

The z3000’s analog core generates four waveforms with substantial character, giving you the sound signature that can only be created by a true analog vco. the z3000 unique circuitry allows for high levels of synthesis complexity such as frequency modulation, all while maintaining excellent wide-range tracking and without falling into chaos. the z3000 brings a world of new possibilities that will give rise to a whole new sound spectra within your modular synthesizer.

Frequency Mode:

The z3000’s first mode is frequency mode. the oscillator’s frequency is measured and displayed constantly, covering low-frequency ranges to the upper end of the human hearing range. 

Setting up frequency ratios is important to any sound synthesis technique, the z3000 now brings this capblity to your modular synthesizer. you can easily tune and detune vcos, space them apart in equal or unequal intervals as well as tune a bank of vcos in complex patches for the creation of either harmonic or inharmonic relationships.

If you have multiple z3000s, each will indicate its pitch, showing each individual tone in a patch, sound structure or musical passage. it only takes a glance to stay informed.

The z3000 allows for unprecedented control of the most important modules in your synthesizer, your vcos. analog sound design is now more interesting, controlled and calculated then ever before.

music note mode:

the z3000’s musical note mode is a mix of frequency and musical notes. this mode is ideal for musicians and sound designers who want to more easily enjoy the benefits of using analog modular synthesizers.

the capabilities are immense, set up vcos with note intervals for either dissonant or consonant, setting whole notes or semi tones, transposing, tuning to a root, building chords or just spacing octaves apart. use it to implement synthesis techniques based on musical note rather than frequency. the same benefits sound designers have using the z3000’s frequency mode are available to musicians too, allowing them to easily create tonal music. it has never been easier or more clear for musicians to work with analog vcos.

the z3000 does the math for you by converting frequency data to music notes with the click of a button, building a bridge to the world of analog sound design.

octave mode:

Octave mode is a essentially a modern implementation of the mechanical octave switches found on many vcos, freeing the module to sweep full scale using the coarse frequency knob but still allowing for easy octave switching.

knowing the octave range of an instrument and setting a c note is one of the basic needs of any one using a keyboard, sequencer, quantizer or midi to cv interface to play vcos. setting the c note in any of the eight octaves is easy and fast and far more precise than what can be achieved with mechanical switching. just set and play.

the octave mode also serves to compliment the musical note mode when it is necessary to set a c note of a high frequency octave. in this situation the frequency intervals between notes is large and the octave mode offers a range of settings to within +/-50 cents of the c note, making the note easier to dial in at high frequency.

modulation:

frequency modulation (fm) is a widely used synthesis technique for creating harmonically rich sounds. as the core synthesis technique found in variety of digital synthesizers, the z3000 brings true analog fm to your modular synthesizer.

in addition, the z3000 offers a traditional hard sync along with a new approach to synchronization called hard sync modulation (hsm). this feature is a new type of sync circuitry which locks and rectifies modulated vcos, allowing an extended degree of frequency modulation in a harmonically controlled manner. this special feature combined with the ability to precisely set frequency and note ratios makes the z3000 a powerful synthesis tool capable of generating a wide variety of sounds and timbres.

using the hsm you can create a long chain of modulators and carriers to build highly complex, harmonically rich sound structures that will still track to your playing and maintain a sound over a wide frequency range. the z3000 gives you the power to go beyond standard additive synthesis and build your own true analog fm operators.

tuner/frequency counter:

the z3000’s external input allows access to the internal arithmetic processor, turning it into a multi-function chromatic tuner and meter for your regular vcos. because it is integrated into the module, it will save you space in your studio, so forget about long cables and plug adapters running to guitar tuners.

using the z3000 as a tuner is simple, just plug in any other vco (from most manufacturers and formats) and use all three modes, frequency counting, note conversion or octave switching to set up and monitor that vco, all while the z3000 functions normally. this powerful feature allows you to bring more power and control to any vco in your system

Here’s another demo, via Matthew Davidson, of the Z300 in action:

Click here to view the embedded video.

More info at the Tiptop Audio site.

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