G-Storm Electro has released the SH5-VCF r2, the second version of its Eurorack Roland SH-5 filter, with major changes.
The SH-5 is one of the most unique analog synthesizers Roland has ever released. One of its highlights is the filter, which has also been available for Eurorack from G-Storm Electro since 2021. British developer AMSynths offered a version even before.
Good news: G-Storm Electro has just released the SH5-VCF r2, the second version of its Roland SH-5 filter for Eurorack with major changes.
G-Storm Electro SH5-VCF r2
The SH-5-VCF r2 is an all-analog Eurorack adaptation of the Roland SH-5 filter. It uses all discrete components and quality op-amps to work its special mojo.
Compared with the 2021 release, the new G-Storm Electro SH5-VCF r2 has significant changes. Two filters are the stars: the VCF and the BPF. Both can still be operated independently. The VCF is on the left and the BF on the right.
However, the built-in mixer, which was adopted from the Roland SH-5, is no longer included. No onboard front-end mixer means you can use your own stereo- and matrix mixers to distribute incoming signals between the VCF/BPF any way you like.
The VCF comprises one HP and one LP (Low Pass) circuit in series. It can still be switched between low-pass, band-pass, and high-pass, adjusted with cutoff and resonance sliders, and controlled modularly with CVs.
There are now two CVs instead of three. The changes on the BPF are more dominant. The band-pass filter still has knob-control over the frequency, resonance, and level but no longer features the CV circuitry.
This change restores the original frequency response without dropouts and thumps. It also improves the top-end resonance characteristic that is now more in line with the original synth response. Then, you can also find dedicated VCF and BPF input levelers.
According to the developer, the new version 2 also has slightly less width at 14HP (16HP v1) and is more skiff-friendly at 25mm module depth.
On the connectivity side, it has dedicated inputs for each filter side, two CV inputs, and a mix and BPF output.
There is also a new stereo sub-mixer or matrix-mixer module that brings back the unique mixing capabilities of version 1 and the Roland SH-5.
First Impression
The SH5-VCF r2 filter is certainly a very special interest product, primarily interesting for people who love this specific filter. It’s great that there’s now a new version that’s even a bit cheaper.
G-Storm Electro SH5-VCF r2 is available now for $220.
More information here: G-Strom Electro
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