Tiptop Audio Z-DSP
Hackable cartridge DSP with voltage-controlled madness
26 HP Eurorack module
The Z-DSP is a 24-bit stereo voltage-controlled digital signal processor for Eurorack that loads effect algorithms from swappable cartridges, each containing up to 8 programs including reverbs, delays, granular, and physical modeling effects. Its analog feedback architecture and hackable DSP clock give it a warm, unpredictable character that goes far beyond typical studio plugins. CV control over parameters, clock rate, and program switching make it a deeply modular and live-performance-oriented processor.
Features
- 24-bit stereo DSP processing with swappable cartridges containing up to 8 algorithms each
- Open-loop analog feedback architecture with external feedback routing capability
- Hackable DSP clock input accepts audio-rate signals to bend effects unpredictably
- Three voltage-controlled digital DSP parameters (VC DSP 1/2/3) with knob offset
- Analog VCA on each feedback input for CV-controlled feedback gain and AM synthesis
- Sequential program switching via trigger, gate, CV voltage, or manual button
- Forward and reverse program stepping via FWD/REV gate input
- VC-PRG input accepts 0-5V for voltage-controlled program selection
- Wet/Dry mix knob with dedicated VC input for real-time blend control
- Analog clipping LED indicator
- LCD display showing program name and parameter information
- Open-source coding environment via NumberZ programmer for custom algorithm development
Controls & Jacks (29)
- Program Select — Illuminated button to manually step through programs on the loaded cartridge
- IN 1 Level — Audio input level control for Channel 1 (Left)
- Trigger — Trigger/pulse input for sequential program switching; accepts 0-5V+ pulses to advance to next higher program, wraps from program 8 to 1
- VC-P2 — Voltage control input for Digital Parameter 2; ±2.5V sweeps parameter MIN to MAX, ~100ms response time
- FDB 2 — Feedback gain control for Channel 2 (Right) with VCA, accepts CV control
- IN 2 Level — Audio input level control for Channel 2 (Right)
- Clock — DSP firmware clock and sample rate input; accepts audio-rate pulses to dynamically modulate processing speed; ideal source is Z3000 square w
- FWD/REV — Forward/Reverse program switching direction control; gate signal reverses the direction of program stepping
- FDB IN 1 — Feedback input for Channel 1; breaks internal feedback loop when patched, allows external processing insertion in feedback path
- FDB IN 2 — Feedback input for Channel 2; breaks internal feedback loop when patched, allows external processing insertion in feedback path
- VC-PRG — Voltage controlled program switching; 0-5V voltage swing switches programs under same terms as TRIGGER input
- Clip LED — Audio clipping indicator, lights when signal clips; normal on power-up
- VC DSP 3 — Manual control for Digital Parameter 1, acts as offset for VC-P1 voltage with center position nominal
- Mix VC — Voltage control input for Mix parameter; ±2.5V centered at knob position sweeps from 100% Dry to 100% Wet, responds at audio rate
- FDB 2 — 100% wet feedback output for Channel 2 (Right); internally connected to FDB IN 2 unless patched
- VC DSP 2 — Manual control for Digital Parameter 2, acts as offset for VC-P2 voltage with center position nominal
- FDB 1 — 100% wet feedback output for Channel 1 (Left); internally connected to FDB IN 1 unless patched
- FDB 1 — Feedback gain control for Channel 1 (Left) with VCA, accepts CV control
- IN 1 — Audio input for Channel 1 (Left)
- OUT 2 — Audio output for Channel 2 (Right), mix of dry input and wet DSP output controlled by Mix knob
- IN 2 — Audio input for Channel 2 (Right)
- VC DSP 1 — Manual control for Digital Parameter 3, acts as offset for VC-P3 voltage with center position nominal
- VC-P3 — Voltage control input for Digital Parameter 3; ±2.5V sweeps parameter MIN to MAX, ~100ms response time
- Display — Audio clipping indicator, lights when signal clips; normal on power-up
- OUT 1 — Audio output for Channel 1 (Left), mix of dry input and wet DSP output controlled by Mix knob
- VC Select
- VC-P1 — Voltage control input for Digital Parameter 1; ±2.5V sweeps parameter MIN to MAX, ~100ms response time
- Mix — Wet/Dry balance control, blends between 100% dry input and 100% wet processed signal
- Control — Audio output for Channel 1 (Left), mix of dry input and wet DSP output controlled by Mix knob
How-To Guides
- First Stereo Delay Patch
- Z3000 Clock Hacking Glitch
- AM Synthesis via Feedback VCA
- Analog Filter in DSP Feedback Path
- Rhythmic Program Switching
- Voltage Controlled Program Selection
- Self-Oscillating Reverb Drone
- Dual Source DSP Layering
- Narrow Pulse Clock Edge Hanging
- Combined Digital and Analog Feedback Depth
Explore the interactive Z-DSP panel on BleepDex — tap any control to learn what it does.
