Tiptop Z-DSP - Manual (Page 13)

Understanding Clocking.
Probably one of the most powerful features of the
Z-DSP is the CLOCK input.
Your computer works by having a processor (CPU)
execute lines of program code step by step. The
processor runs at a speed that is controlled by a very
fast clock. Your PC is running so fast that working with
the machine is continuous and smooth.
But what if you could control the speed of this clock,
making it slower and slower until it almost stops? How
will your computer behave then, how will your software
work, will it sound or look the same?? Will it crash!!!??
While we wouldn’t want to try this on your PC
(there are complications with devices like hard drives),
we most certainly want to try it with our dedicated
audio processor!
We have broken the rules and have allowed you to
clock our DSP computer any way you like. The result is
a fascinating feature that can turn standard effects
into crazy things that you would never have expected.
Let’s get started and understand what’s happening here.
PLL
DSP CHIP
CPU
frequency multiplier
sample rate
ADC/DAC
Clock IN