MATRIXSYNTH: The New Tiptop Audio Z3000 MK2


Monday, May 10, 2010

The New Tiptop Audio Z3000 MK2

via Gur of Tiptop Audio. Note this was also posted on the Muff forum:
"The new Z3000 uses the same electronic circuit the Mk1 uses, its basically the same VCO. The main difference in sound is the added VC waveshaper, that one obviously adds a lot to the sound character of the Z3000 Mk2. The waveshaper modulates the symmetry of both the Sine and Triangular waves simultaneously, but with a CVs at about +/-5V it goes way beyond symmetry and into just a kind of strange saw type of shapes.

The back of the module is very different, the pcb aligns flat with the panel, the entire circuit was squeezed in between the pots and jacks using all tiny SMT parts, it's small, compact, and feels real good in hand. One of the benefits of using modern parts is that I could get even better performance of the octave tracking.

The top frequency of the Mk2 can reach higher, 30kHz in compare to 22kHz on the Mk1 one. You can still get to 30kHz on the Mk1 one if you set the knobs to max and also patch a positive CV signal into on of the Log FM inputs. 30kHz is way above the human hearing but it makes great sense for using with the Z-DSP clock input, that's why we do it.

The fine tune knob is set to sweep a smaller range and as a result makes it easier to dial in a specific frequency. The frequency counter is exactly the same as in the Mk1, no changes in software or hardware.

With the Mk2 we switched from Cliff jacks. That was actually the main reason for the redesign of the module.

The new display is a soft blue. It wont burn your eyes, and it will make your girl go This is fun!

The Mk1 still has a slightly better temperature stability, but the difference is so small that its hardly worth mentioning it.

It's impossible to upgrade a Mk1 into a Mk2, the hardware is made totally different and I don't think I would have recommend any one to do that even if it was possible, the Z3000 Mk1 is a VCO that stands for its own.

The good news is that the Z3000 Mk2 will maintain the same price and not go higher. If production goes well then the first run will be available from our distributors in about 4 weeks."

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