Hampshire Electronics Vulcan MK2: the second generation is now an up to 24-voice analog and digital polyphonic Synthesizer in a 37 HP module.
A little over six months ago, the British developer Hampshire Electronics unveiled the Vulcan, an analog polysynth in a Eurorack format. At 56HP, it was quite large, but very affordable for its 8 voices.
Hampshire Electronics has now announced a completely redesigned, revamped version, the Vulcan MK2, with more synthesis power, a smaller form factor, a better display, but also at a higher price.
Why A Polysynth In A Module?
The Vulcan MK2 is a new 24-voice multi-timbral polyphonic Synthesizer in a 37 HP Eurorack module.
One might wonder why Hampshire Electronics put the Vulcan MK2 back in a module and not a desktop unit. Primarily, it’s to simplify polyphony in Eurorack for users and give them a module with eight voices right out of the box, instead of just one.
Those who want a desktop setup can, of course, put it in a small case. There are plenty of those on the market, even with a built-in power supply.
It has shrunk considerably in size. From the initial 56 HP to 37 HP, a reduction of 18 HP. This suits the module well. However, the Mk2 version offers much more than just a smaller form factor. This starts with the sound engine.
The Vulcan MK2 is now a hybrid Synthesizer that contains two complete synthesis systems. One analog with eight voices, the one you know from the MK1, and another that consists of two independent digital Synthesizers, each with also eight voices.
Good: you can play the engines independently, with separate CV/gate or MIDI sources or in a layered configuration.
Hampshire Electronics Vulcan MK2 – The Analog Part
Like the MK1 version, the Hampshire Electronics Vulcan MK2 features a full 8-voice analog Synthesizer engine, each with an oscillator, sub-oscillator, resonant filter, and VCA. This is more versatile than you might think.
You can configure the voice architecture for each patch. There are different options available, including an 8-voice poly with 1 oscillator per voice or a monophonic unison synth with eight voices.
With two oscillators per voice, you get a 4-voice polysynth, and with four oscillators, you have a 2-voice poly. The hardware has dedicated controls that give you immediate access to the main parameters (oscillator level, detune, waveform selection…)
Vulcan MK2 also features an automatic analog calibration that measures and calibrates every analog voice for you. Plus, there is an age parameter that introduces the beloved fluctuations to the voices.
Modulation for the analog part is also onboard with ADSR envelopes (filter + VCA + two freely assignable), LFOs, and random modulation that are assignable via a modulation matrix.
The Digital Heart
New to the Vulcano MK2 and that makes it super interesting are two completely independent digital synth engines, each with eight voices. Each slot can run its own synthesis engine, patch, and voice settings with the option to layer, split, and control them independently.
Taking of synthesis engines, there are five distinct ones: 6-operator FM synthesis, wavetable, tuned-noise synthesis, modal synthesis, and Karplus-Strong-based physical modeling. That’s a colorful bouquet of synthesis methods.
Each engine comes with various adjustable parameters and is fully independent, so you can control them separately over MIDI channels, keyboard zones, or CV/gate sources.
Like the analog counterpart, they also come with their own modulation engine with ADSR envelopes (filter + VCA + two freely assignable), LFOs, and random modulation that are assignable via a modulation matrix.
Powerful: you can play both the analog and digital engines at the same time, giving you up to 24 voices of Synthesizer power for your rack.
On top of that, there will be an optional stereo effects expansion card that adds its own effects-processing hardware rather than taking resources away from the main synthesis engines.
Connectivity
The connection side of the Hampshire Electronics Vulcan MK2 is huge: A MIDI input is on the left that lets you control the different instruments with different MIDI channels.
There is also plenty of CV connectivity. Four dedicated pitch CV and Gate inputs, four direct analog modulation inputs, and three assignable modulation CV inputs. Sound goes out on a main output or at four dedicated voice outputs.
A USB socket is on the back for firmware updates. But all this synthesis power comes with a thirsty core. It needs 520mA on the +12V and 380m on the -12V, so you definitely need a power supply with a bit of headroom.
Vulkan MK2 comes with a new OLED display where you get visual feedback of the parameters of both the analog and digital synths. And yes, you can also save and recall presets, which is also done via the display.
Hampshire Electronics Vulcan MK2 First Impression
A very exciting instrument. I was already quite taken with the MKI and found it impressive that someone would pack an 8-voice synth into a Eurorack module that also offers a good amount of CV options.
With the Vulcan MK2, Hampshire Electronics makes it even more attractive and with even more synthesis power. One thing that isn’t shown in detail is just how menu-heavy it is. I could imagine that being the case with the digital version.
One thing is certain: such a complete package, offering both analog and digital capabilities, is unique in the Eurorack world. I’d even say it’s unparalleled in the desktop world, where it’s typically analog, digital, or hybrid.
Hampshire Electronics Vulcan MK2 is available now for pre-order for 679€ + VAT. The product ships at the end of August 2026.
More information here: Hampshire Electronics
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