manual - Tiptop Audio
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1. ib n n 5 7 e oA u B O T p 15 ees OOOO 25 2 Ed ib 77 iy 4musmn 1 ii O ES 5 7 5 ee Now set the Z3000 into Octave Mode by pressing the FREQUENCY NOTE OCTAVE button Press any low C key on the keyboard and use the FREQUENCY and FINE TUNE knobs to adjust the pitch of the Z3000mkIl until the desired C note is shown on the display Remember as the frequency approaches the octave the display will show Cx or Cx to show if the module is below or above the pitch of the actual note 1V Oct CV Input The Z3000mklIl s 1V Oct CV Input has a very high resistance input designed to allow you to stack CV Signals from a CV source before entering the unit without encountering tuning error or CV Drop With the the release of our Stackcables there was no longer a need for a bullt in CV mult The available space made it possible to bring out the vvaveshaping ability The Waveshaper Input is described further in this manual on page 14 2 1V Oct i CV Stack CV IN x 1V Oct EN er GS CV IN It should be known that the CV bus can be enabled using the HD2 jumper on the main PCB Further this will not override the 1V Oct CV input on the front panel External Input This is a direct input into the pulse counter in the Z3000mkll Feed a fal2. 000 Smart VCO Tiptop 23 FREQUENCY Smart VC Oscillator Hz fa Oct r FREQUENCY NOTE OCTAVE 1 1V Oct EXT IN CV IN INPUT SYNC CV IN INPUT Linear FM FM 2 www tiptopaudio com Z3000 Smart VCOmkli Design Gur Milstein Special Thanks Matthew Davidson Shawn Cleary Richard Devine Bobby Voso Rene Schmitz Mark Pulver Gene Zumchack Surachal Andreas Schneider MADE IN THE USA Tiptop Audio 2010 All Rights Reserved Welcome This quick start guide provides an introduction to the operation of the Z3000mkll The Z3000mkil is an analog voltage controlled oscillator with a built in digital pulse counter It displays constant pitch data at a refresh rate of one update per second in three different modes Each mode can be accessed using the Mode Switch This unique feature puts the Z3000mkil into a class of its own as a VCO bringing new capabilities of complex sound synthesis to the analog realm In addition it simplifies the setup of multi oscillator voices by allowing pitch intervals to be set by sight Z3000 FREQUENCY Smart VC Oscillator Hz fa Oct Mode Switch 1 Frequency Mode 2 Musical Note Mode 3 Octave Mode INPUT INPUT Frequency Mode Frequency Mode is the Z3000mkl s first mode and is the mode that the module starts in when powered It works by counting the wave cycles generated by the VCO for one second and then shows the results on the disp
3. EXT IN 5 PER 6 ct il Safe Zone CV IN INPUT INPUT INPUT FM Modulation Index FM Continued Input Types The Z3000mkll is equipped with two exponential FM inputs and one linear FM input The FM1 and FM2 jacks are exponential but FM2 is summed with the Linear FM input and as such share the FM knob Generally speaking when employing FM theory linear modulation provides the only true form of modulation and has more predictable results and produces less inharmonic material than exponential FM does To implement a basic FM patch plug the sine wave from one Z3000 into the Linear FM input of a second Z3000mkIl Frequency modulated sounds become more complex as more modulators and carriers are added to a patch whether in series or in parallel Pairs of modulators and carriers are called operators and usually include VCAs and envelope generators to dynamically vary the modulation index over time Continued LO HIGH FINE TUNE modulator carrier FM Continued Frequency Ratios The frequency ratios and modulation index define the tone and harmonic content of the resulting sound specific frequency ratios will create harmonic and inharmonic sounds as previously described and the Z3000mklIl allows the user to precisely set those ratios in any of its three modes While playing an FM patch across a range of several octaves the frequency at these octaves may not maintain the frequency ratio that was set a
4. Hz 225Hz 300Hz 3 5Hz etc Multiphonic sounds are created by adding a third VCO that matches the sum of the frequencies of the first two For example If VCO1 5Hz and VCO2 150Hz Set VCO3 225hz 150 75 Continued Frequency Ratios Continued Audio synthesis relies heavily on frequency ratios so using them appropriately can be very helpful no matter what the application modulate the pulse width of another VCO for frequency modulation modulate the cutoff of a filter or any other parameters in a given systems modules The Z3000mkll s Frequency Mode makesit possible to quickly experiment with the mathematical side of sound design and audio processing The Music Note Mode allows for the same techniques but from a different perspective It allows frequency ratios to be set easily but based on the harmonic relationships of musical notes as defined by the chromatic scale This feature allows those with extensive training in music theory to experiment with sound design and composition on a modular synthesizer by setting those ratios Try experimenting with different sounds by setting multiple Z3000mklIs to different musical notes and have them modulate one another Extended Frequency Range The Z3000mkli has been given ua 1951003 an expanded frequency range above and below its predecessor It now covers the range of 0 Hz all the way up to 30kHz This higher top end for example is especially useful for the Clock
5. Input of our Z DSP VC Digital Signal Processor module Musical Note Mode The Musical Note Mode works by comparing the VCO frequency to a table of stored values corresponding to Western musical notes In this mode the display will show the numerical frequency reading but once a specific frequency is reached that is equivalent to a known note value the display will show the name of the note For example if the VCO is tuned for 53Hz it will display 53 but if the pitch were to reach 55Hz the display will show Al which is the musical note A of octave 1 A Note to Frequency chart is available online and at the end of this guide Sharp notes are represented by a dot between the note and octave number Dot Indicates Sharp Note i od C 2 d 2 2 G2 2 Musical Note Mode Chords Musical Note Mode is very useful for creating tonal music with a modular synthesizer It allows multiple VCOs to be set to specific notes or semitones space several Z3000mklls apart to build chords or set any 0 to a specific musical key to match a music piece For example using three Z3000mkIls it is possible to set a basic C major chord consisting of notes C E and G Chord charts are available from many music retailers C 2 42 F2 G 2 A Set three Z3000mklls to the following notes Stack their 1v o inputs from a common out then mix their audio outs Iry sending each voice or a mix of all three through a VCF controlled by an envel
6. e resulting waveform Too much complexity and the waveform becomes noise and avoiding this is one of the most significant aspects of FM theory There are many books that can explain the fundamentals of FM synthesis in greater detail than is possible here Frequency modulation has been widely used in digital synthesizers thanks to the stability and precise tracking of software based digital VCOs The Z3000mklfs built in arithmetic processor allows the user to implement true FM in analog and to build harmonically rich sounds using a calculated synthesis approach Continued FM Continued Modulation Index The amount of modulation applied to the second oscillator is commonly known as the modulation index Ihe modulation index is controlled by the FM knob on the Z3000mkIl It is difficult to calculate the actual spectrum of the resulting sound created by the modulation index but the more modulation applied the more complex the sound gets resulting in noise and frequency drift For example increasing the modulation index of a sine wave modulating another sine wave the resulting waveform changes from a sine wave at modulation index FM knob to MIN through increasingly more complex waveforms ending with noise at a very high modulation index Ihe change from sound to noise can be quite sudden so it should be noted that a small amount of modulation can provide more desirable results Continued FREQUENCY 1V O
7. lay with a resolution of 1Hz The display ranges from 1Hzup to 9999Hz When frequencies pass above the maximum range of 9999Hz the display shuts off this is normal Similarly when frequencies pass below the lower limit of 1Hz the display blinks the word LFO Low Frequency Oscillator The display of the Z3000mkIl is fully synchronized with the VCO frequency and blinks accordingly at low frequencies Each time the display comes on It indicates the start of a new wave his is especially useful at low frequencies when the VCO is used as a clock generator or LFO LFO 1Hz o FREQUENCY en CV IN INPUT LOVV HIGH CV IN INPUT SYNC D SYNC INPUT INPUT INPUT INPUT CV IN INPUT Frequency Mode Frequency Ratios When multiple VCOs are combined in a patch either modulating each other modulating other modules or Simply having their waveforms mixed together frequency ratios are practical tools for audio synthesis VCOs working together create overtones These can be generally pleasant to the ear harmonic or abrasive inharmonic or dissonant Harmonic overtones come from mathematically even frequency intervals For example if one VCO is set to 300Hz then the second VCO should be set to an even multiple or fraction 75hz 150Hz 300Hz 600Hz 1200Hz 2400Hz etc nharmonic overtones can be created by adding or subtracting a constant number 75 in this case from the fundamental frequency 75Hz 150
8. ling sawtooth wave from any other VCO into this input to adjust synthesize and monitor the pitch using all of the features of the Z3000mkll s three mode options The EXT IN is designed to work with a 10Vpp falling sawtooth wave though other waveforms can be used if the sawtooth waveform is not providing a stable reading As long as the signal does not exceed 10Vpp a signal from most VCOs can be used Z3000 VCO FREQUENCY Smart VC Oscillator em Hz Oct r FREQUENCY NOTE OCTAVE Sawtooth IO N Jt c Frequency Modulation Basics Frequency modulation FM synthesis is a technique used to generate musically interesting sounds by rapidly changing the basic frequency of a sound The pattern of change is created by another waveform with a frequency within the range of human hearing In practice it is as simple as connecting the audio output of an oscillator to the frequency control input of another oscillator First a number of considerations need to be taken into account waveform type FM input type frequency ratio and synchronization Frequency modulation starts with two or more oscillators The first the modulator is used to modulate the frequency of a second oscillator the carrier Typically sine waves are used because they are ideally free of harmonics but modular systems allow for the use of other waveforms However the more complex the modulating waveform is the more complex th
9. ope generator C Major Chord FREQUENCY WAVE WAVE 1V Oct Ba 1V Oct za CV IN INPUT CV IN INPUT LOW HIGH CV IN INPUT SYNC SYNC Im SYNC INPUT INPUT INPUT INPUT INPUT INPUT Octave Mode Octave Mode improves upon the functionality of a mechanical octave switch With an ordinary VCO ina modular system setting the relationship between the note pressed on a keyboard and what is heard is often requires an independent reference at a known pitch usually a non modular synth The Octave Mode of the Z3000mkll makes this task a quick and efficient process While in Octave Mode the display will show the relative octave of the note being heard OCt2 OCt3 etc As the pitch approaches a C in any octave the display will change and show how close the pitch is to the defined note within 50 cents on either side of the note OctO Octl Oct2 Oct3 Oct4 Oct5 Octo Oct C2 50 cents C2 50 cents This allows you to quickly match the CV note input to the actual pitch of the oscillator Continued Octave Mode Continued Setting up the Z3000mkll to use Octave Mode is simple First configure a keyboard through a MIDI to CV converter and plug the CV output of the converter into the 1V OCT input on the Z3000 mkll MIDI TO CV INPUT INPUT CV IN INPUT 57 A 1 00 n ees 1 o OOOO ne 15
10. orm Hard Sync Modulation is a powerful waveform distortion effect built into the Z3000mkll and can be used in any patch master slave Waveshaper Input This jack allows the user to inject an external CV or Audio source to modify the symmetry of both the Triangle and Sine waves simultaneously Thereby adding new character to the sound as it modifies the slightly harmonic Triangle amp idealy harmonic free Sine The Waveshaper Input accepts 5V the typical VCO waveform output level allowing for some very extreme waveshaping to take place Or if the user pefers very subtle but effective modulation of the waveforms with the addition of signal attenuation prior to the Waveshaper Input The Waveshaper accepts signals in the DC range all the way up to audio rate Allowing for some very animated morphing and mangling of the waves Ihe result being that you actually add harmonics to the waveform rather than by the use of filters take them away Tips Adding a VCA before the Wavshaper Input can add more dynamics and control to the amount and timing of the modulation input CV sequencers help add repeatable syncronized waveshaping to the mix Great for when your modulations need to be in sync with a specific tempo Voices and Operators Classic Analog Voice A typical voice on a vintage analog synthesizer usually starts with two or more VCOs with their pitch intervals preset The wavefroms of the VCOs are mixed toge
11. t another octave This variation in frequency is an inherent feature of analog VCOs The Z3000mkll makes it possible to overcome this issue by fine tuning the desired frequencies at both ends of the range until both are set accordingly for smooth harmonic sounds Spanning several octaves Ratio 2 1 Modulator 130Hz Carrier 65Hz FREQUENCY uy Smart VC Oscillator Hz Oct FREQUENCY NOTE OCTAVE 1V Oct EXT IN CV IN INPUT SYNC HSM CV IN Linear FM FM 2 FREQUENCY 0742 30 ez w HIGH Smart VC Oscillator Hz Jd Oct r FREQUENCY NOTE OCTAVE 1V Oct EXT IN CV IN INPUT SYNC HSM INPUT INPUT FM 1 Synchronization and FM Combining synchronization and frequency modulaton allows for the creation of whole new sound spectra Its sound is more predictable than FM alone as there is no chance of the fundamental of the modulating oscillators drifting away when increasing or decreasing the modulation index As a result the output sounds are less likely to become inharmonic Conversely the synchronization itself distorts the waveform of the Slave VCO thus adding harmonics to the sound The Z3000mkll offers traditional hard sync along a new type of sync called Hard Sync Modulation HSM While traditional hard sync will only work with pulse or Sawtooth waves with similar effect the HSM accepts any waveform even complete sounds which will modulate distort and rectify the wavef
12. ther and sent to a VCF followed by a VCA A modular synthesizer gives the user the freedom to build complex analog voices On a modular a voice is not preset and can be made of several VCOs and other modules This allows for a variety of synthesis techniques which can be mixed into a single output FM Operators Voice The term operator is used to describe a complex digital FM voice structure An operator is a synthesizer patch consisting of several tone generators each modulated through VCAs that are controlled by envelope generators EGs An operator also includes a mixer to combine the tones into a single output The gain of the mixer channels are dynamically controlled by additional EGs This entire structure generates complex sound textures that evolve with time Both analog and digital voice structuring rely heavily on the arrangement of frequency ratios to generate harmonic and inharmonic voices The Z3000mkll is the ideal tool for both of these forms of voice structuring as it allows the user to quickly and easily set the frequency ratios of any of the sound generating modules being used in a given voice and the Z3000mklfs Hard Sync Modulation allows for simple and effective management of complex voice structures Frequency Note Conversion Table This table of frequencies for equal tempered scale is highly recommended for use with the Z3000mkll Withit it is possible to navigate frequencies build chords and construct syn
13. thesis models We recommend hanging it next to your modular synthesizer A free version that you can print yourself is available at www tiptopaudio com resources html 9V0T 99 99 v6C va v a A N gt Ke 1 98 I 1 vd 12 0 q I 1 I 61088 10 1 dodh 1S 1 4 za 2 SI od 1 oq Ki 4 2 EC 04 00 V f TA 97 T M I V
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