Roland SH-2 Plug-Out Review

Roland recently introduced the SH-2 Plug-Out synthesizer, a software recreation of the vintage SH-2 hardware synth.

In this video, via sonicstate, Nick Batt takes a look at the new Roland SH-2 Plug-Out software synthesizer.

“The boffins at the lab have done their homework here,” notes Batt. “The result is a musical instrument, not just a collection of ones and zeros.”

The new software synth is unique in that it will run as a standard plugin with Mac & Windows DAWs, but Roland also offers a ‘Plug-Out’ version that you can download to the Aira System-1. This lets you run the SH-2 soft synth on the System-1 hardware.

The Roland SH-2 Plug-Out synth will be available 25th September as a download. It will be priced at €75 for a Plug-Out/Plug-in version for System-1 owners and €110 for users that want the Plug-In but do not own the System-1.

See the Roland site for more info.

 

43 thoughts on “Roland SH-2 Plug-Out Review”

      1. I always enjoy your reviews Nick. I think those of us who watch them often know that you give honest and thorough walk through’s on the equipment you review. I always know something is worth looking into if you come off as being excited about it. 🙂

      2. There’s always that guy, and Jm0101110, you had to be him…..

        Thanks, Nick, for the thorough review. Ignore the haters. You’re one of the most trusted reviewers of music gear that there is, and for good reason!

        I really like the System-1 concept and like the sounds you get out of it. But like a few other commenters, I don’t like some of the limitations of the current hardware, especially the four-voice polyphony and the eight memory slots. Those seem like specifications from the early 80’s. Even my microKorg can store something like 128 patches!

      3. Thanks for the reply…first off there was nothing personal in my comment for those who call me a hater – no hate here – i have no issues with nick or his reviews..hes a guy who is doing his job and i too like his review style. Besides, how can i hate a guy who understands how to properly pronounce Moog 🙂

        To clarify my cynical comment – i can’t help but notice that Roland’s products get reviewed before they’re out while truly groundbreaking synths like the dave smith prophet 12 and pro 2 remain unreviewed by sonic lab. While there may not be direct payment for the review, again i can’t help but notice the roland ad on the front page of sonic states website which when combined with the glowing review of something that other companies have been doing for almost 20 years seems suspect.

        1. That’s a simple one to answer, Roland advertise with us DSI don’t. That’s why you see an ad. Roland also make sure we get a look early at key products,which is why you see exclusive first looks etc this is because they have a UK presence. Your right, DSI don’t have the marketing clout that Roland do, but they do get their stuff to certain people early – we’re just not one of them. That’s probably because we are in the UK.
          For the record, we have reviewed a number of DSI products too.

        2. yeah sorry for prejudging your comment on my side also …….btw isnt Moog pronounced like the magazine Vogue ? so like Moge ?

    1. Glad you enjoy,
      jm101010 – regarding ads and payment, nothing. I wish they did, I wish they gave me the gear but they don’t. I think its a good product -that is all. Please have a think before you write those kind of comments..

      1. Oops, sorry for the double post, there should have only been one. To answer the points about polyphony, memories – yes, it would have been great to have more memories and more plugin slots, I guess they start small, and maybe there will be a larger more flagship type product in the future (no I dont know anything).
        My only real criticism is the lack of class compliancy and the fact that its VST3 only, thats cutting out a lot of potential users.

  3. Been alot of haters for this synth and the whole concept, but its starting to seem pretty cool to me. Yeah the memory issue sucks, but as many said, the System 2 may address that.

    1. Yeah – this gets more and more interesting as the release more synths. Seems like a very smart concept to me. I’d really like to see a ‘System-2’, though, with more memories, the ability to have multiple synths saved and a better keyboard.

    2. Well, the “upgraded version will address that” is not a valid answer if the flaw was introduced just for that. And well… in times when 1GB flash memory costs 1$ when you buy single unit, I can hardly think of any other explanation.

      1. You people really don’t think this through do you. I seriously doubt the limitation is a memory issue. More like a R&D issue to keep price points down. I’m sure a multi keypress method might be able to be implemented for more locations, otherwise, save them in the plugin for now.

  4. So wait… I do not have to own that green keyboard to get myself the SH2 software… well, that is positive news.
    Now if they also come up with a Juno 1/2 VST, then hands up for Roland. I will still keep my (real) Juno 2 though! It would just be nice to have the VST for when I am under way.

  6. While it sounds great, this video highlights that it’s just damn confusing Gaving differen or limited functions compared to the physical interface. You’d really need a print out of the plug in so you could see east your actual options were. Which doesn’t seem very practical.

    Make me an sh-2 I’d definitely buy it.

  7. Garak, the parameters you can’t use wont light up on the System 1 when you are using the plug out. Pretty easy to tell what you can adjust and what you cannot.

    1. I did find the mappings confusing TBH for the SH-101 with the System-1 – probably because I have an SH-101, so where I would have used a slider, it could be a knob on the System-1, and the increments are pretty harsh – it’s hard to increment anything smoothly – thought it would be a nice to supplement my actual SH-101, but ended up sending it back 🙁

    2. Well, no nick shows how many parameters are sometimes lit and sometimes not just for the sh-2 and will work in combination with some things only if you’ve got it on the right setting which you won’t know unless you’re looking at the plugin screen. Bloody confusing.

  9. sounds brilliant…reminds me of my old sh-09 which i used back in 1982!!
    defo on my hit list…would also be interested in a system 2 if that offered a U.I like a jupiter 8 with a 5 oct keyboard etc and poly playback for juno 106, jx3p, jupiter 6 etc….of course the hardware woudl probably hit the £1000 mark too.

  11. Wow. Pretty impressed. Got a lot analog gear up here, and I can say: this sounds definitely good. But I don’t get it. Why don’t they release those vsts for free? Anyone would download it, start using and really anyone would really think about buying a system 1 sooner or later. They would sell so many system 1s, I’m pretty shure about that. *psychology* – That would be the best add they could possibly do.

  12. That sounds real. I’m very impressed by the sound.

    I wish the System1 hardware wasn’t so awful. I don’t understand why the keys are so terrible. Roland could turn this miss into a hit, with a version two keyboard that is larger, with decent feel, and more onboard patch storage.

    1. Hell yeah, I played one of these for the first time today.
      TERRIBLE keybed. They should be a shamed to put their name to something that feels likea disgusting tow.

  14. As a previous owner of an SH-2 I think the sound of this plugin sounds pretty close, thank you roland for making amazing software..
    hoping for a juno 106 or 60 plug.. And Jupiter 4 pls !
    Don’t waste time with the 100m when the whole point is its a modular and this keyboard doesn’t even have CV.. Maybe it would make sense if the keyboard had multiple CV in/out ports with the ability to route to different parameters for modulation.. (Like pro2) And while I’m wishing, add audio input to run things through the filter… What makes the SH2 so great is the built in envelope follower plus audio input for processing external audio and drums

  15. I loved my SH-2; it was probably my top favourite out of all the synths I’ve ever owned. So the VST version will be a must-have for me. Will it sound as good as the real thing? Maybe not, but as long as it’s close I can fake the rest. 🙂

  16. who actually likes the keybed? yes it feels different from all the other synths i have but hell who cares, next thing you know they’ll be saying how they hate the pussy of the their gf’s caus it feels different from the others they’ve had

  18. loooool Who in his own right mind would just love to review ROLAND SH2 or the other new SH101 vsti synth ???!!!!!!! im already tooo hyped and cant wait to get my hands on these pluginz !! unfortunately i\ll have to wait for the eazy versions since i am a poor man (yeah i can afford a cup of tea some food and an internet connection) and cant afford all these dream machines 🙁 ….see im not Justin Bieber or some rich kid for all u haters but i love to make music and cant refuse to do so just because of this capitalistic society that wants us poor people just to be waiters and labour in factories….

    lol anyway just replying to the insulting first comment that this review was some sort of ad….heck i’d pay to advertise stuff like Rolands synths or hopefully a realistic Andromeda A6 vsti recreation or a Virus synth.
    Wish you all the best!!

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