2hp Freez (2010s)
A tiny module that freezes sound in a buffer, then lets you twist it until it screams.
Overview
The 2hp Freez is a voltage-controlled looper that freezes a fragment of audio and lets you warp it in real time. It is not a delay and not a reverb. Slot this 2HP sliver into a Eurorack case, hit freeze, and whatever was playing - a snare hit, a synth chord, a burst of noise - is locked in a buffer. Then you reach for the size knob and start twisting. The sound pitch-shifts, granulates and glitches into textures that sound more like mutation than manipulation. It doesn't just repeat. It transforms.
The Freez is 2HP wide and 47mm deep, so it fits skiffs and tight cases easily. It is not a full-featured granular synth or a sample mangler with a screen and menus. There's no playback speed control, no grain size adjustment, no complex modulation routing. It does one thing: freeze, then mangle. You feed it something and see what happens when you stretch the moment.
Compared to other loopers or audio buffers in the modular world, the Freez fills an odd niche. It isn't for looping entire phrases or building song structures, and it isn't a phrase recorder or a live performance looper. It's a sound design tool and a glitch generator. It works best on percussive material - kick drums, hi-hats, claps - where freezing and resizing makes stuttering, pitch-bent artifacts that feel organic and unpredictable. It also works with pads, vocals or noise bursts, turning sustained textures into shimmering, evolving drones or splintered shards of sound. There is no dedicated output for the unfrozen signal, so you always hear the processed version when frozen. That can be disorienting at first, and it makes the Freez a real-time effect rather than a recording tool.
The freeze behavior depends on a toggle on the front panel that switches between momentary and latching modes. In momentary mode, the audio is frozen only while a gate is applied to the freeze input, which suits rhythmic stutter effects. In latching mode, you freeze a moment and it stays locked until you trigger unfreeze, which allows sustained manipulation. Both modes work as a performance effect or a compositional tool.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | 2hp |
| Production Years | 2010s |
| Format | Eurorack |
| Width | 2 HP |
| Depth | 47 mm |
| Max Current +12V | 95 mA |
| Max Current -12V | 27 mA |
| Sample Rate | Up to 96 kHz |
| Buffer Size Range | Microseconds to 3 seconds |
| Inputs | Audio In, Freeze CV, Unfreeze CV |
| Outputs | Audio Out |
| Freeze Mode | Switchable momentary/latching |
| Function | Voltage controlled locked looper |
| Additional Features | Bit crusher, beat repeat |
Key Features
The 3-Second Time Capsule
The buffer holds up to three seconds of audio, enough for a drum hit, a vocal snippet or a synth stab. Once frozen, the audio doesn't play back; it just sits there, repeating the same instant. The size control changes the buffer length in real time. Shorten it and the pitch jumps up, bringing digital artifacts and granular textures. Lengthen it and the sound droops, smearing into low-bit drones. There's no smooth interpolation, just raw, aliased shifting that feels tactile and immediate. It's a blunt instrument, not a surgical one.
Skiff-Sized, Gigantic Impact
At 2HP wide, the Freez takes up less space than a power cable header, yet it does a job that would normally need a much larger module. The 47mm depth is also shallow, which helps in compact cases and skiffs where space is at a premium. You can drop it into a small system and gain an audio mangling tool without giving up room for oscillators or filters.
Voltage-Controlled Chaos
The Freez is fully voltage controllable, with dedicated CV inputs for freeze and unfreeze. Patch a sequencer into the freeze input and the audio locks and unlocks in time with your sequence. Use an LFO on the size knob and you get warbling, pitch-shifting textures that evolve over time. The bit crusher effect, active when resizing the buffer, adds more digital grit, especially at extreme settings. It's not a clean, polished effect. It's lo-fi, crunchy and unpredictable.
Historical Context
The 2hp Freez emerged during the early 2010s, when Eurorack was shifting from a niche hobbyist format to a rapidly expanding ecosystem of boutique modules. Most audio processing tools at the time were either analog (delays, filters, VCAs) or large, complex digital modules with screens and menus. The Freez offered a purely digital function in an analog-friendly form factor: small, simple, and easy to work into a modular patch. It wasn't the first module to offer freezing or granular effects, but it was among the first to do so in such a compact, voltage-controllable way.
2hp, as a company, built its reputation on minimalism in both design and functionality. The Freez fits that: no frills, no unnecessary controls, one core idea. It arrived alongside other digital modules like the Mutable Instruments Clouds (later replaced by Plaits and then Clouds again in reissue form). Clouds offered a full granular synthesis engine, while the Freez was more focused and more immediate. It was meant for dropping into an existing patch and seeing what happened, not for building complex patches.
Its closest competitors at the time were modules like the Qu-Bit Nebulae and the Make Noise Morphagene. Both offered deeper granular synthesis capabilities, but at a much higher price and size cost. The Freez wasn't trying to compete with those. It prioritized spontaneity over control, and it appealed to experimental musicians, noise artists and anyone who wanted to inject unpredictability into their patches. It wasn't a mainstream module, but it developed a cult following among those who valued surprise over precision.
Collectibility & Value
The 2hp Freez is no longer in production. The company's website lists it in their “Legacy” line, so it's only available used. Despite its age, it remains highly sought after, particularly among modular enthusiasts who like its function and compact size. Used prices typically range from $250 to $350, depending on condition and seller location. Units in excellent cosmetic and working condition, with no rack rash or damaged jacks, tend to sit at the higher end of that range. Units with noticeable wear or untested functionality may sell for less.
Reliability is one of the main concerns for buyers. The Freez is generally solid, but there are reports of units failing to freeze properly or exhibiting audio dropouts. These issues are rare, but they can be hard to diagnose without a known-good system. There's no known widespread hardware flaw, but repair options are limited, as with any discontinued module. 2hp does not appear to offer official repair services for legacy modules, so buyers are advised to purchase from reputable sellers with return policies.
When buying a used Freez, verify that all functions work: freezing (both momentary and latching), unfreezing, and real-time size manipulation. The toggle switch between momentary and latching modes should click cleanly and stay in position. The jacks should be secure, with no wobble or crackling. The module draws a modest 95mA on the +12V rail and 27mA on the -12V, so power issues are unlikely. Still, check for signs of overheating or damaged components inside the case (if visible).
Given its popularity and limited availability, the Freez is unlikely to drop in value anytime soon, and prices may creep upward. It's not a beginner module. Its lack of visual feedback and unpredictable behavior can be frustrating for those used to more transparent processing.
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