Tiptop Z-DSP User Manual

Z-DSP

+

+

L

L

Z -D S P VC - D I GI T A L S I G N AL P R OC E S S OR

Z -D S P VC - D I GI T A L S I G N AL P R OC E S S OR

2 4Bit/

2 4Bit/

Va ria bl e

Va ria bl e

Cl ock

Cl ock

Z- DS P

+

+

R

R

Tiptop Audio

1 2

1 2

AUDIO IN AUDIO IN

AUDIO IN AUDIO IN

1

1

FEEDBACK 1

FEEDBACK 1

FEDBK IN

FEDBK IN

MIN MAX

MIN MAX

VC VC

VC VC

SEQUENTIA L PROGRAM CON TROL

SEQUENTIA L PROGRAM CON TROL

TRIGGER FWD/REV

TRIGGER FWD/REV

+

+

VC-P1 VC-P2 CLOCK

VC-P1 VC-P2 CLOCK

VC- PRG

VC- PRG

VC-DSP2 VC-DSP3VC-DSP1

VC-DSP2 VC-DSP3VC-DSP1

MIN MAXMIN MAXMIN MAX MIN MAX

MIN MAXMIN MAXMIN MAX MIN MAX

FEDBK1 FEDBK2

FEDBK1 FEDBK2

Tipt p

Tipt p

1

1

A u d i o

A u d i o

MIN MAX

MIN MAX

VC- P3

VC- P3

∑

∑

OUT 2OUT 1

OUT 2OUT 1

2

2

DSP

DSP

IN 2IN 1

IN 2IN 1

FEEDBACK 2

FEEDBACK 2

MIN MAX

MIN MAX

MIX

MIX

DRY WET

DRY WET

2

2

FEDBK IN

FEDBK IN

VC

VC

+

+

User Manual

Written By
Mark Pulver
Gur Milstein

Z-DSP VC-Digital Signal Processor

Design - Gur Milstein

Special Thanks

Alessandro Cortini

Andreas Schneider

Bobby Voso

James Cigler

Matthew Davidson

Matrix

Richard Devine

Shawn Cleary

Surachai Sutthisasanakul

Special thanks to Mark Pulver
for all the help and support in
making this project a reality.

MADE IN THE USA

Tiptop Audio 2009 All Rights Reserved

Contents.

Introduction

Getting Started

Signal Flow

Analog Feedback

Digital Feedback

Reading the Panel

A built-in Guitar Preamp

Looking into Voltage Control

Understanding Clocking

Program Switching

Introduction.

Welcome to the world of digital signal processing!
The Z-DSP is a modular synthesizer component that
can process and generate audio using a dedicated
micro-computer, a digital signal processing processor –
a DSP!

Like the processor in your desktop computer, the
Z-DSP runs programs in memory. It’s these programs
that create the delays, filters, oscillators and more that
the Z-DSP can produce. The possibilities are virtually
endless, limited only by the imagination of those who
write the applications for it. Tiptop Audio, together with
some of the best known programmers in the music
industry, are working to bring programs to the Z-DSP
platform.

The Z-DSP uses an open-source coding environment,
and using a programmer (available from Tiptop/Spin
Semiconductor) anyone can create, share or sell their
own applications for the Z-DSP. We hope that this
unique feature will motivate more designers and users
to dive in to the amazing world of digital signal
processing and enrich the available library of
applications for the Z-DSP platform. Please contact us
for more information regarding obtaining a programmer.

Z - DS P

TM

Getting Started.

The Z-DSP itself contains no programs, it loads
programs from a cartridge. If the module is powered
up without a cartridge inserted it will show
“insert cartridge” on the display

The module is sold with the Dragonfly Delay cartridge,
which contains 8 delay programs. Pull it out of the
bag now and insert it slowly to the card slot on the
front of the Z-DSP, making sure that the Dragonfly
print is facing upward. Note: Inserting the card upside
down will not cause any damage, but the card will not
work.

After a moment, the Z-DSP will load the program found
in memory slot 1 on the cartridge. Some cartridges will
display a message when first inserted. For example, the
Dragonfly Delay will first show the name and author of
the algorithms, then show a reminder that audio needs
to be connected to both inputs to achieve a stereo
effect. Note: A Tiptop Stack Cable is ideal for bridging
inputs!

The cards can be inserted and removed at any time,
even during audio processing. Pulling the card out at
this point will keep the current program loaded and the
display will again show "insert cartridge". Now that we
have a program loaded into the processor, let’s have a
look at the Z-DSP signal flow.

Signal Flow.

The Z-DSP contains two distinct audio channels,
labeled Left (also “1”) and Right (also “2”). The
terminology of “Left” and “Right” is most commonly
used for stereo effects like Delay and Reverb, while
“Channel 1” and “Channel 2” would be used in
applications that deal with more diverse names such
as Carrier and Signal in a ring modulator.

IN SE RT C AR TR ID GE

The Z-DSP is truly stereo, no summers allowed! Each
channel is built from a distinct audio input , feedback
input, processing block, audio output and feedback
output.

SINGLE CHANNEL IS SHOWN

AUDI O IN

VC

FEDB K IN

GAIN

VCA

FEED BACK

VC M IX

MIX

OUT

MIX

DSP

FEDB K OUT