Z-Systems z-K6 K-Surround Processor - Manual (Page 2)

z-K6 manual
2
Introduction
Figure 1 -- z-K6 block diagram
The z-K6 K-Surround processor uses very sophisticated DSP algorithms to produce a convincing
and realistic surround-sound "extrapolation" from two-channel material. Unlike other processors
that use techniques such as room modeling and synthetic reverberation, the z-K6 is based on
novel techniques that are the result of contemporary psychoacoustic research. We believe you'll
find that the z-K6 produces better, more natural-sounding results than any other technique
currently available.
Referring to Figure 1, please observe that the z-K6 is subdivided into two functional blocks. The
first block, seen at top, takes the stereo input and produces three frontal channels (LF, C, and RF).
The second block, seen at bottom, takes the stereo input and extracts the surround channels (LS,
and RS) and the LFE channel (Sub). Each of these blocks merits further attention.
Let's take a closer look at the front-channel subsystem. First, the signal is passed through a pair of
shelving filters, allowing you to selectively filter the low- and high-frequency response of the input
signal. Next, the front ambience extraction module takes the shelf-filtered stereo signal and
produces an ambience-enhanced stereo signal with complete control over the type (i.e., wide,
deep), the amount (level), and the spectral character (EQ) of the ambience. Finally, the enhanced
stereo signal is converted to a three-channel signal. The three channels are derived using a
technique that renders a timbrally accurate match to the stereo signal, but with pinpoint imaging
that is stable over a much wider listening window.
Now we'll take a brief look at the surround/LFE subsystem. Again, the user can selectively shelf-
filter the input signal. Then the surround generation module derives the signal to be sent to the
surround channels, with user-specified control over the amount of ambience to be generated.
The user can also control the equalization of the ambience. In tandem, the z-K6 allows you to
derive a lowpass-filtered mono sum of the stereo signal and send the result to the LFE channel.