SH-2

Complete Replica of the Classic SH-2 Synthesizer 

Cross-platform PLUG-OUT instrument for computer DAWs and select Roland hardware synths.

The SH-2 Software Synthesizer is an authentic sonic reproduction of Roland’s classic SH-2 synthesizer from 1979. Renowned for its raw vintage tone, the SH-2’s dual VCO plus sub-oscillator configuration dishes out devastatingly fat basses, edgy leads, and wild effects. 
 
Party Like It’s 1979 

In the late 1970s, synthesizers were undergoing a significant transition with the development of polyphony and onboard patch memory. As the world’s synth manufacturers raced to develop these new technologies, Roland launched a seemingly basic monophonic synthesizer—the now-classic SH-2. 

The Place for Bass 

Released around the same time as Roland’s pioneering JUPITER-4, the SH-2’s functionality was conservative by comparison. But its configuration of two VCOs and a sub-oscillator essentially gave it three VCOs, making it capable of extremely fat and warm analog synth tones. To this day, many synth aficionados feel it produces the most earth-shaking, bone-rattling synth bass sounds of all time. 
 
Plug In Your Own SH-2 

The SH-2 software leverages Roland’s deep knowledge of the original units to faithfully capture every fine detail, right down to the interaction between the individual circuits. Everything has been reproduced exactly, from the self-oscillating VCF to the attack and decay characteristics of the steep envelope. The original’s unique harmonic makeup and pitch wavering are present, as are behaviors that occur only in analog circuitry, like the subtle effect on tonality when parameters unrelated to the actual tone are adjusted. There are even some new features that were not available on the original: 

• VCO range is expandable to 64' for ultra-deep bass 
• Two ADSR envelopes 
• Modern effects: reverb, tempo-syncing delay, and bit-crusher 
• Auto-bend with support for reverse actions 
• Tempo-syncing arpeggiator 

Hardware Integration 

The SH-2 also supports Roland’s PLUG-OUT format for extended operation with Roland hardware synths like the SYSTEM-8 or the smaller SYSTEM-1. Transfer sounds back and forth between the hardware and software, and PLUG-OUT directly to the hardware synth to create a standalone SH-2 that goes anywhere and doesn’t require a computer. You can also use the hardware’s knobs and sliders for hands-on control when the plug-in is hosted in your DAW. 

Features

• Faithful software recreation of the classic Roland SH-2 synthesizer from 1979
• Dual VCO + sub-oscillator design delivers rich bass, sharp leads, and analog FX
• Detailed circuit modeling captures the original’s raw tone and behavior
• Expanded features include deeper VCO range, dual ADSR envelopes, modern effects, and tempo-syncing arpeggiator
• PLUG-OUT support for use with Roland hardware like SYSTEM-8 and SYSTEM-1
• Available as a VST, AU, or AAX plug-in for your DAW