2HP Bell (2019–)
A six-voice modal synthesizer the size of a business card that rings like a struck tuning fork from another dimension.
Overview
The 2HP Bell is a digital engine that models the physical vibrations of imaginary metal bars, plates, and bowls. It is not a traditional oscillator or sample player. It takes up less space than a power connector. It arrived in 2019 as part of 2HP's expansion beyond utility modules into sound generators. It shares DNA with the Pluck, but the Bell sits in its own spot - less string, more struck metal, somewhere between marimba, vibraphone, and something alien.
The Bell needs no external envelope and no VCA. Send it a gate or trigger and it produces a complete percussive event with natural decay. That is rare in Eurorack, where most physical modeling voices need layers of modulation to sound finished. The two front-panel knobs are Mallet and Bar. Mallet adjusts the hardness and damping of the virtual striker, from soft felt to hard plastic to something like a steel beater. Bar alters the harmonic structure of the resonant body, changing the tuning ratios of the overtones. You get everything from in-tune chimes to dissonant, gong-like clusters. Turn them slowly and the timbre morphs in real time.
The Bell offers six-voice polyphony, which is rare in such a narrow module. Chords can be played across a keyboard or sequencer without voice stealing cutting off tails mid-decay. It is not a full-featured synth voice. It is a melodic percussion generator, and it does that one job. It has no audio input for external excitation, unlike Mutable Instruments' Rings, its closest conceptual cousin. In exchange there is no tuning drift, no sensitivity to input level, and no need to patch in a noise source or pluck trigger. Clock it, tune it, and let it ring.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | 2HP |
| Production Years | 2019–present |
| Original Price | $149 USD |
| Format | Eurorack |
| Width | 2HP |
| Depth | 42mm |
| Current Consumption +12V | 86mA |
| Current Consumption -12V | 3mA |
| Polyphony | 6 voices |
| Synthesis Type | Modal synthesis (physical modeling) |
| Inputs | Gate/Trigger, 1V/Oct Pitch, Mallet CV, Bar CV |
| Outputs | Audio Out |
| Control Interface | 2 knobs (Mallet, Bar), 4 mini-toggle switches (mode selection) |
| Weight | Approx. 50g |
| Construction | PCB with front panel, no enclosure shielding |
| Color Options | Black, Silver |
| MIDI Compatibility | No direct MIDI; requires CV interface |
| Internal Envelope | Yes, decay determined by damping and material model |
Key Features
Modal Synthesis in a Matchbox
The Bell doesn't use oscillators or samples. It simulates the way real objects vibrate when struck. Each note is a collection of resonant modes that ring and decay based on modeled material properties. This isn't additive synthesis with pre-recorded spectra; it's algorithmic physics. Because the overtones are mathematically related to the fundamental, chords keep their harmonic integrity and avoid the metallic mush that can plague poorly tuned FM or sample-based bells. The six physical models are selected via tiny front-panel switches. They range from clean, harmonic chimes to detuned, clangorous plates, and each responds differently to the Mallet and Bar controls. One setting might suggest a celesta, another a gamelan instrument, another a warped music box left in the rain.
Polyphony Without the Price
Six voices in 2HP is borderline absurd by Eurorack standards. Most modules that offer polyphony, like MakeNoise Mimic or Intellijel Metropolis, take 16HP or more. Even basic digital oscillators with poly support tend to be wider. The Bell gets there by pushing the complexity into firmware and keeping the analog circuitry minimal. There is no individual voice DAC per oscillator. It uses a single output stream with internal voice management. That keeps the footprint tiny, but you can't independently modulate each voice's parameters. For chordal textures, arpeggios, or layered percussion, the polyphony still does the job. It allows dense, evolving bellscapes that would otherwise need multiple modules or external sequencing tricks.
No Patching Required
The Bell doesn't need an envelope generator or VCA to produce a finished sound, unlike most Eurorack sound sources. The decay is built into the physical model, shaped by the Mallet hardness and Bar damping. That makes it good for beginners and minimalist setups: connect a keyboard, a clock, or a sequencer and you're making music. There are no envelope times to match, no clipping from overdriven VCAs, and no phase issues from misaligned modulation. The trade-off is flexibility. You can't force a long sustain or create a gated tremolo effect without external processing. A single trigger goes in, and a complete percussive event comes out.
Historical Context
The 2HP Bell emerged in early 2019 at NAMM, part of a quartet of new modules (alongside DC, Grain, and Sine). They marked 2HP's shift from space-saving utilities to full-featured sound generators. At the time, Eurorack was deep into the golden age of digital synthesis, with Mutable Instruments leading the charge with modules like Rings and Plaits. Rings had set a high bar for physical modeling in modular, with stereo outputs, audio input processing, and multiple excitation methods. The Bell didn't try to out-feature Rings. It aimed to out-compete on space and immediacy. Rack real estate was becoming as precious as gold, and a six-voice bell synth in 2HP was a provocation. It wasn't the first modal synthesizer in Eurorack, but it was the first to deliver that complexity in such a minimal footprint. Its release coincided with a trend toward "minimalist maximalism" - modules that did one thing exceptionally well without wasting space. It also reflected 2HP's design approach: reduce everything to its essential function, then shrink it further.
Competitors like the ALM Squarp Hermod or WMD Crucible offered similar metallic textures but with larger footprints and more complex interfaces. The Bell's closest rival in spirit was the 2HP Pluck, its sibling module using similar physical modeling for string-like sounds. Together they formed a compact duo for plucked and struck textures, suited to small or travel systems. Pluck was often compared (and found wanting) next to Rings. The Bell occupied a slightly different niche. It wasn't trying to model arbitrary resonant bodies with audio input. It was focused on melodic percussion, where its polyphony and self-containment gave it an edge in certain patches.
Collectibility & Value
The 2HP Bell has settled into a stable secondary market, typically selling between $120 and $180 depending on condition and color. Black units are more common and usually at the lower end. Silver panels occasionally fetch a small premium from collectors who like the contrast. It is a relatively recent module with ongoing production, so it isn't rare, and it's unlikely to become a vintage "grail" like older analog classics. Its utility means it rarely sits unsold. Used units are generally reliable, with no widespread failure modes reported. The most common issue is accidental damage to the tiny knobs or toggles from over-tight cabling or clumsy patching. The PCB is well laid out, but there is no internal shielding, so it can pick up digital noise in crowded cases, especially near high-current digital modules. There's simply no room for shielding.
For buyers, the main concern is context. The Bell works well in small systems or as a specialized texture generator, but in larger racks it can feel limiting. It has no audio input, no FM or sync capabilities, and no way to modulate its internal decay independently. If you already own a Rings or a Plaits, the Bell might feel redundant. For minimalists, travelers, or anyone building a compact percussion-focused system, it's hard to beat. It's also a favorite in shared or educational racks, where its simplicity and robustness make it accessible to newcomers. Maintenance is minimal - no calibration, no tubes to replace, no mechanical parts to wear out. Keep the jacks clean and avoid yanking patch cables sideways, and it should last indefinitely.
Market Value
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ 2HP BELL Nov 2026 │ ├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │ High $1,395 Latest $150 │ │ Median $485 Trend — │ │ Low $1 Volume ~4/mo │ ├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │ $2,000 ┤ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ $1,143 ┤. │ │ │. │ │ │ . │ │ │ . . │ │ $0 ┤ . .│ │ ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────│ │ vol │█▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄│ │ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────│ │ 2026-04 2026-06 2026-07│ └──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
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