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Z4000 - Voltage Controlled Envelope Generator

User Manual

Introduction
The Z4000 is a four-segment envelope generator with an additional CV processor that can be 
used to scale, invert, mirror or clip the generated envelope. With its snappy envelopes, the 
Z4000 can generate complex CV signals for controlling any CV input in your modular.

Let’s get started.

To start using the Z4000, plug in a gate signal into the gate input, set ATTACK to minimum, 
DECAY to 50%, SUSTAIN to 50%, and RELEASE to 50%. Set the ATTENUVERTER all the way to the 
right and set the DEVIATER to 50%. Connect the OUT jack to the CV of a VCA or the FM of a filter 
like the Z2040, or the FM input of the Z3000. When the gate goes high, the led should turn red 
indicating an envelope. You should also hear the effect of the envelope over the VCA or filter.

Playing with segment knobs will let you set different envelopes, and playing with the 
Attenuverter will let you scale down the envelope and invert it if set left of the 50%
position.

With the Deviater you can offset the envelope’s position, pushing it into the negative voltage 
range (CCW, yellow light) or positive voltage range (CW, red light) by applying CV into the 
Deviater’s CV input. The same effect can be done using external CV control from sequencers, 
LFO’s, or another Z4000. You can even feedback the signal from the Z4000 into itself for further 
manipulation of the curve shapes and time.

Segment Control Knobs Range up to 50%
You might have noticed that the segments control knobs start being responsive from about 
50%. Although that might seems odd at first, there is a good reason.
Creating snappy envelopes requires fast transients, but fast transients can also add artifacts to 
the sound the envelope is applied to: This is known as pop or click.
In some sound design, this click is a welcomed part of the sound but in other designs, there is 
a desire to reduce the click yet keep a snappy response.

Those two qualities are in opposite relation to each other. The Z4000’s first 50% of the 
segments’ knob range is dedicated to that initial area of sound design, providing you high 
resolution for fine tuning of the envelope segments in the millisecond range. This large 
millisecond range makes up for a great kitchen to cook up
transient sounds and percussive elements.

http://tiptopaudio.com/z4000-ns/

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