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 lter
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 eect of the envelope over the VCA or lter.
Playing with segment knobs will let you set dierent 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 oset 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 eect 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 rst, 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 rst 50% of the
segments’ knob range is dedicated to that initial area of sound design, providing you high
resolution for ne 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/
