Roland Intros SH-2 Plug-Out Software Synthesizer

sh-2_plug-out_synthesizer

Roland today announced the SH-2 Plug-Out Software Synthesizer – a recreation of the classic SH-2 synthesizer from 1979.

The Roland SH-2 is a classic 2-oscillator plus sub-oscillator monosynth. The SH-2 Plug-Out software synth is a recreation of the vintage keyboard, based on Roland’s Analog Circuit Behavior technology.

With or without a System-1, the VST3 and AU versions of this plug-in support multiple instances and can be used in any compatible DAW.

System-1 owners have the additional benefit of a dedicated controller and can take advantage of the SH-2’s Plug-Out capability. This turns their System-1 into a stand-alone, modern hardware version of the SH-2, that can go anywhere and doesn’t require a computer.

Here’s what Roland has to say about the SH-2 Plug-Out synth:

Everything has been reproduced exactly, from the VCF which is capable of self-oscillation to the attack and long decay characteristics of the steep envelope. The unique harmonic makeup and pitch wavering are present as are the complex interactions between parameters that result from the original analog circuit design.

Even behaviors that occur only in analog circuitry are accurately reproduced, like the subtle effect on tonality when the user tweaks parameters unrelated to the actual tone being produced.

There are even some new features that were not available on the original. This new SH-2 has a VCO range that is expandable to 64′, two envelopes, reverb, delay and crusher effects, Autobend with support for reverse actions, and a tempo-syncable arpeggiator.

Here’s the official intro video:

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 3.6 (32 bits, 64 bits), AU
Plug-Out Hardware
SYSTEM-1

Official release date and pricing for the Roland SH-2 Plug-Out Software Synthesizer are to come. Roland says that more Plug-Out synths are on the way.

29 thoughts on “Roland Intros SH-2 Plug-Out Software Synthesizer”

  3. Seem possible that the System 100 & 100m & Promars seen in the ending shot in back of the Tech foretell that those will also be plug-outs…

  5. I need to see a more extensive demo, but this sounds pretty good.

    As they introduce more Plug-Out synths, the System-1 gets much more interesting to me – you can start to see how the keyboard unlocks some of the live performance potential of their new generation of virtual instruments.

    I wish that it had a better keyboard and would allow you two switch between multiple synth models. My guess is that Roland needed the System-1 to test the waters and gauge interest, but that there will be a ‘System-2’ that addresses the limitations of the first generation hardware.

    1. Yes , what about a rack version with memories, the system one really has no memories to speak off.
      In this day and age it is comical.

      1. I was not aware of this synth and now that I’ve heard the original, I think this old analog synth is a Roland masterpiece, if not they’re best sounding axe.

          1. I know about the MiniMoog, Arp Odyssey and Korg MS-20 all made at about the same time, this SH-2 sounds really good (I never liked the SH-101), and I wasn’t really impressed by Roland until now.

  14. Never mind all that; where’s our Jupiter-8? 😛 If Dave Smith can come up with a Prophet-12, Roland could come up with a JP-8 upgrade. You’d swallow your DCOs and call it good then! Seriously, I wonder if even a JP-6 model is in the works? Is the system powerful enough to handle a model that big?

      1. Yes, on the Roland blog section regarding the Plug-outs is that from the SH-2 on they will not need the System-1 for use. They are for anyone to purchase and use in your favorite DAW.

  17. These Plug-ins/plug-outs are looking and sounding very sweet!
    Me thinks I will be buying each one as they come out………can’t wait to see what will be the next?……
    hoping it crescendos with the Jupiter 8? and a System-2 with 3 or 4 octave keyboard and lots-O-knobs and sliders, that’s what I miss about the Jupiter80.

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