SH-2

Software Synthesizer

SH-2
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Complete Replica of the Classic SH-2 Synthesizer

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
SH-2 Sound Examples

Hardware Integration

The SH-2 also supports our 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.

Join Roland Cloud today to discover how low you can go with the SH-2.

Specifications
Maximum Polyphony
1 voice
Modulator
LFO Rate
Delay Time
Waveform (SIN, TRI, SAW, SQR, RANDOM(S/H))
VCO
Auto Bend Depth
Modulation Depth
VCO-1
Range (64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 2)
Waveform (SAW, SQR, SIN)
Pulse Width
PWM Mode switch (MANUAL, LFO, AUTO BEND, VCF ENV, VCA ENV, VCO-1 SUB)
Bender Depth
VCO-2
Range (64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 2)
Waveform (SAW, SQR, NOISE)
Pulse Width
PWM Mode switch (MANUAL, LFO, AUTO BEND, VCF ENV, VCA ENV, VCO-1 SUB)
Fine Tune
Coarse Tune
Audio Mixer
VCO-1
VCO-2
VCO-1 SUB
VCF
Cutoff Frequency
Resonance
ENV Depth
Modulation Depth
Keyboard Follow
VCF ENV
Attack Time
Decay Time
Sustain Level
Release Time
VCA
VCA Mode (GATE, A.ENV, F.ENV, HOLD)
Tone
Crusher Depth
VCA ENV
Attack Time
Decay Time
Sustain Level
Release Time
VCF/VCA ENV
Gate-Trigger switch (GATE, LFO, GATE+TRIG, LFO+GATE)
Effect
Reverb Level
Delay Level
Delay Time
Controller
Volume
Portamento
Bend Range
Tempo Sync switch
Arpeggio
Arpeggio Switch
Arpeggio Type (1 Oct Up, 1 Oct U+D, 1 Oct Down, 2 Oct Down, 2 Oct U+D, 2 Oct Down)
Arpeggio Step (1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/4T, 1/8T, 1/16T)
Tune
430 Hz–450 Hz
Sampling Frequency
44.1 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 48 kHz, 96 kHz, 192 kHz
Tones per 1 bank
64 patches
* User can make new user banks.
Plug-In Formats
VSTi 2.4(64bit)* Windows only
VSTi 3.6(64bit)
AU
AAX
Plug-Out Hardware
SYSTEM-1
SYSTEM-1m
SYSTEM-8
System Requirements (macOS™)
Minimum Operating System
macOS 10.14
Host Application
VST instruments (VSTi) version: VST 3.6 compatible
Audio Units (AU) version: Audio Units V2 compatible
AAX Compatible
CPU
Intel® Core™ i5 or better
Apple M1 chip
RAM
4 GB or more
Hard Disk
100 MB or more
Display resolution and Colors
1280 x 800 dots or higher, 16.7 million colors or more
Other
You'll need Internet connectivity to authenticate this software.
To use PLUG-OUT function, SYSTEM-1, SYSTEM-1m, or SYSTEM-8 driver installation is needed.
System Requirements (Windows®)
Minimum Operating System
Microsoft® Windows® 10 (64-bit)

*This does not work with the Windows® RT.
*This does not work with the Windows® Phone.
*This does not work on the virtual machines such as Hyper-V, Virtual PC, or Boot Camp.
Host Application
VST instruments (VSTi) version: VST 2.4/3.6 compatible
AAX Compatible
CPU
Intel® Core™ i5 or better
RAM
2 GB or more
Hard Disk
100 MB or more
Display resolution and Colors
1280 x 800 dots or higher, 24 bits Full Color or more
Other
You'll need Internet connectivity to authenticate this software.
To use PLUG-OUT function, SYSTEM-1, SYSTEM-1m, or SYSTEM-8 driver installation is needed.
*Although Roland has tested numerous configurations and has determined that on average, a computer system similar to that described above will permit normal operation of the PLUG-OUT SOFTWARE SYNTHESIZER, Roland cannot guarantee that a given computer can be used satisfactorily with the PLUG-OUT SOFTWARE SYNTHESIZER based solely on the fact that it meets the above requirements. This is because there are too many other variables that may influence the processing environment, including differences in motherboard design and the particular combination of other devices involved.
Microsoft Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
VST is a trademark and software of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH.
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Downloads

Support

If you have questions about operating your Roland product, please check our Knowledge Base for answers to the most common questions.
You can also contact our Product Support through Roland Backstage.
In addition, we have a library of Owner’s Manuals and Support Documents that you can download and reference.

Owner’s Manuals