Tiptop Audio — Z4000

Manual PDF

Z4000 Voltage Controlled Envelope Generator Manual PDF

Tiptop Audio Z4000 VC-EG Cheat Sheet

The Z4000 is a four-stage envelope generator (Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release) with unique CV processing features (Attenuverter/Deviater) for shaping, scaling, inverting, mirroring, or offsetting the envelope.

🛠 Panel Controls Summary

Name	Type	Function	Range
A (Attack)	Knob	Sets attack time; voltage controllable	0ms to minutes (via knob & CV)
D (Decay)	Knob	Sets decay time; voltage controllable	0ms to minutes (via knob & CV)
S (Sustain)	Knob	Sets sustain level; voltage controllable	0V (min) to ~8V (max, via knob & CV)
R (Release)	Knob	Sets release time; voltage controllable	0ms to ∞ (fully CW) (via knob & CV)
Attack Curve Switch (ATK)	Toggle	Selects attack curve slope (exponential/logarithmic)	N/A
Attenuverter	Knob	Scales and inverts envelope output; 12h = 0V, CW = full pos, CCW = full neg	± envelope out
Deviater	Knob	Offsets envelope output voltage (+ or - static voltage)	± static V
Deviater CV Amt	Knob	Level of external signal mapped by Deviater VC input	N/A

🔌 Jacks Reference (Inputs & Outputs)

Jack Label	Type	Function	Voltage Range
GATE	In	Gate/trigger input to start envelope	+2V min (typical)
RTRG (Retrigger)	In	Pulse retriggers envelope during held gate	+2V min (typical)
A, D, S, R	In	Voltage control for Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release	0–5V = 0–100% of parameter; summed w/ knob
DEVIATER VC	In	Modulates Deviater offset	0–5V for full range
OUT	Out	Main envelope output (processed by Attenuverter and Deviater)	±8V maximum (scaled/inverted/offset)

🚦 Usage Quick Start

Basic Envelope
Plug gate into GATE
Set envelope shape:
- Attack=Min, Decay=50%, Sustain=50%, Release=50%
Set Attenuverter to full CW (full pos)
Set Deviater to center (0 offset)
Patch OUT to desired CV input (VCA, filter, etc.)
Sculpt Envelope
Adjust A/D/S/R for shape and timing.
First 50%: fine tuning, ultra-fast percussive/transient control
Above 50%: extends segment times up to minutes or infinite Sustain
Switch ATK (Attack Curve) for subtle slope changes.
Advanced Shaping
Attenuverter:
- Center = 0V
- CW = normal
- CCW = inverted envelope
- LED indicates polarity (red = pos, yellow = neg)
Deviater
- CW = +V offset
- CCW = -V offset
- Modulate with Deviater VC or external signal for dynamic shifting, mirroring, clipping etc.
Voltage Control
Patch CV sources (sequencer, LFO, other envelopes) into A/D/S/R or Deviater VC as desired
0–5V = full range for segment control (CV is summed with knob)
Retrigger
Send pulses to RTRG (while GATE is held) to restart Attack for accents, modulation, or rhythmic variations

🛑 Protection

Reverse Polarity Power Protection: Module is fully protected, cannot be damaged by reverse power plug-in.

Summary Table

Function	Jack/Control	Voltage/Action	Note
Envelope Gate	GATE (In)	>2V trigger/gate
Retrigger	RTRG (In)	>2V pulse retrigger
Attack CV	A (In)	0–5V	Summed w/ knob
Decay CV	D (In)	0–5V	Summed w/ knob
Sustain CV	S (In)	0–5V	Summed w/ knob
Release CV	R (In)	0–5V	Summed w/ knob
Deviater Mod	DEVIATER VC (In)	0–5V	Summed w/ knob
Envelope Output	OUT (Out)	-8V to +8V (max)	Depends on Attenuverter/Deviater settings
Attack Curve	ATK Switch	Expo/Log selection	Subtle, long Attack best auditioned

Generated With Eurorack Processor