collapse expand iconDescription

Note: This is a download version only. Not a physical copy.

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, including: 

• 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. 
 
Lifetime Keys
To install an instrument with a Lifetime Key, you must have a Roland account. To create your Roland account, download Roland Cloud Manager, create an account/log in, download your instrument, and redeem your Lifetime Key.
Roland Cloud Cloud SH-2 Software Synthesizer (Download)

collapse expand iconFeatures

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
  • 430Hz–450Hz
Sampling Frequency
  • 44.1kHz, 88.2kHz, 176.4kHz, 48kHz, 96kHz, 192kHz
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

collapse expand iconSpecs

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS (macOS)
  • Operating System
  • macOS 10.8.5 or later
  • Host Application
  • VST instruments (VSTi) version: VST 3.6 compatible
Audio Units (AU) version: V2 Audio Units compatible
  • CPU
  • Intel Core 2 Duo or better
  • 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 activate this software.
You'll need installation SYSTEM-1 driver to plug-out this software to the SYSTEM-1
System Requirements (Windows)
  • Operating System
  • Microsoft Windows 7 SP1

  • Microsoft Windows 8/8.1
  • 
Microsoft Windows 10

  • * incompatible with Windows® RT, Windows® Phone or virtual machines such as Hyper-V, Virtual PC
  • Host Application
  • VST instruments (VSTi) version: VST 2.4/3.6 compatible
  • CPU
  • Intel Core 2 Duo or better
  • RAM
  • 2 GB or more
  • Hard Disk
  • 100 MB or more
  • Display resolution and Colors
  • 1280 x 800 dots or higher, 24-bit full color or more
  • Other
  • You'll need Internet connectivity to activate this software.
You'll need Adobe Reader (available free of charge) in order to read the online help.
You'll need installation SYSTEM-1 driver to plug-out this software to the SYSTEM-1.