Tiptop Audio Released Z4000 NS – A Smart VC Analog Envelope Generator With A Built-In CV Processor

July 23, 2018 Synth Anatomy Eurorack, Hardware 0

Tiptop Audio’s latest release the Z4000 is a 8HP voltage controlled analog Eurorack envelope generator (ADSR) wth a built-in CV processor for advanced shaping possibilities!

Envelopes as a modulation generator can not be avoided in a Eurorack Synthesizer and is a must have buy for a system. Whether it only has one or more depends on the budget and workflow of the user. TipTop Audio shows with the new version of the Z4000 that its possible to put a lot power in one single envelope. The Z4000 is a 8HP analog envelope generator which can do more than just creating a standard ADSR.

It features beside individual CV inputs for each points of the ADSR also a smart CV processor that allows musicians to shape envelope output. It has per example a attack slope switch to choose between logarithmic or exponential curve, a deviater-scaler as well as an vc attenuator. With the shoot function, it’s possible to trigger manually the envelope. In short: a straightforward designed envelope with very useful features.

Overview

The Z4000 NS is a snappy voltage-controlled analog envelope generator with a built-in CV processor for scaling, inverting, and voltage-controlled deviating of the envelope shape. The Z4000 generates an envelope made of the four classic segments: Attack, Decay, Sustain and Release, in which each segment can be manually set using knobs or dynamically set under voltage control. Control knobs for the Attack, Decay, and Release segments are scaled. The first 0-50% of the knobs rotation is dedicated to high resolution adjustment in the millisecond range.

The output levels are fully adjustable with signals that can reach up to 10V in either polarity and can be mirrored into the opposite polarity or clipped using the voltage-controlled deviater-scaler. A bi-color LED indicates intermediate values in both polarities and their crossfade state. The Attack slope switch allows selection of a logarithmic or exponential curve for the Attack segment. This subtle effect helps further the fine adjustment of the Attack segment slope.

A Shoot button is provided to let you fire the envelope manually. The Z4000 also provides a retrigger input allowing you to create legato notes when using a classic keyboard interface. Going down to nuts and bolts, the Z4000’s smoothness and snappiness is made possible by a four segment active-charge discrete circuit which is an extended version of circuits found in classic two segment rise / fall transient generators.