2HP LFO (2016–Present)

A small modulation module that takes 2HP of rack space and sweeps from smooth waves to jagged digital stutters with one knob.

Overview

The 2HP LFO fits in the gaps between your other modules, and it uses its panel well. It looks like another LFO until you turn the waveform knob and hear your filter open and close in ways that go past simple up and down. The original LFO, released around 2016, was already minimal: a voltage-controlled oscillator in just 2HP, covering everything from slow, drifting tides to audio-rate warble. The v2 revision, introduced a few years later, added CV control over both rate and waveform selection. It also added a secondary output with four alternate, modulation-optimized waveforms you can use simultaneously with the main output. You can run a smooth sine wave into your VCA for a gentle swell while sending a stepped random staircase from the alternate output to your oscillator's pitch CV, all synced to clock via the reset input. It draws a mere 40mA from the +12V rail.

The behavior matters as much as the specs. The waveform morphing is smooth, and it's musical too. Turn the knob slowly and the triangle picks up harmonic grit on its way to sawtooth, snaps into the square wave's on/off punch, then melts into the sine. Past that are the alternate waveforms, which are where the real mischief lives. They aren't inverted or phase-shifted copies of the main waveforms. They're algorithmically shaped for modulation: stepped ramps, gated sines, and wavefolds that act more like sequenced triggers than traditional LFOs. The primary output is clean and predictable, and the secondary is chaotic and experimental. At audio rates it won't replace your main VCO, but it will generate gritty, lo-fi tones with a digital edge that analog oscillators can't quite match.

Specifications

Key Features

Waveform Morphing That Feels Alive

Most LFOs give you a switch or a knob to select between waveforms - sine, triangle, saw, square, maybe a sample-and-hold. The 2HP LFO v2 glides instead. The single waveform knob sweeps continuously through the four primary shapes, and the transitions feel organic. Turn it slowly during a long pad and the modulation evolves from a soft swell to a sharp tremolo to a rhythmic gate, without a jump or glitch. Because the waveform selection is voltage-controllable, you can modulate the morphing itself with another LFO or envelope, creating evolving textures that never repeat.

Dual Outputs: Predictable Meets Unhinged

The primary output delivers the expected analog-style waveforms with clean, stable timing. But the alternate output? That’s where 2HP lets its freak flag fly. These four waveforms aren’t just variations—they’re purpose-built for modulating other modules in unpredictable ways. One might stutter like a broken clock, another ramps in discrete steps, another folds back on itself like a digital origami trick. You can use them to modulate filter cutoff for rhythmic gating, apply them to oscillator pitch for pseudo-sequencing, or even patch them into a VCA for rhythmic amplitude slicing. The fact that both outputs run simultaneously means you’re not choosing between stability and chaos—you’re layering them. It’s like having two entirely different LFOs in one module, each feeding a different part of your patch.

Compact Power with CV Flexibility

At 2HP, the LFO v2 is barely wider than a patch cable, yet it offers full voltage control over both speed and waveform, which many larger modules still treat as a luxury. The rate CV input accepts 0-10V, so you can sync the LFO to sequencers or scale its speed across octaves. The waveform CV input allows automated morphing that can be sequenced or modulated in real time. The reset input locks the phase to an external clock, so modulation cycles line up with your sequence or drum pattern. The front panel has a large central knob for waveform selection, a smaller one for rate, and clearly labeled jacks. It's dense, but not cluttered.

Historical Context

When 2HP launched in the early 2010s, the Eurorack scene was expanding rapidly, but modules were still mostly measured in 4HP, 6HP, even 10HP or more. Doing anything useful in 2HP seemed absurd. Founded by engineer and designer Tony Rolando, the brand built its reputation on extreme miniaturization without sacrificing functionality. The LFO, released in 2016, was one of their early standouts because it was small and smart. Many LFOs of the time still offered basic waveforms and limited CV options. The 2HP LFO packed in morphing, dual outputs, and voltage control in a footprint most companies used for a single attenuator. It arrived alongside growing interest in compact, skiff-friendly systems, with modular users wanting portable, battery-powered setups for live performance or travel. The LFO had low power draw, skiff-compatible depth, and maximum utility per HP. It wasn't the first 2HP module, but it was one of the first to show that minimal size didn't mean minimal creativity.

Competitors like Intellijel, Make Noise, and Mutable Instruments were building feature-rich LFOs in larger formats, but they couldn't match 2HP's density. The LFO v2, released a few years later, pushed that advantage by adding CV control over waveform selection, a feature still rare even in larger modules. It wasn't trying to be the flagship. It was trying to be the secret weapon, and in a market where every HP counts, that made it essential.

Collectibility & Value

The 2HP LFO v2 is still in production and widely available new for $99, which keeps the used market relatively stable. Expect to pay $70 - $90 for a used unit in good condition, with prices rarely spiking due to consistent supply. The original non-v2 version occasionally appears on eBay or Reverb, sometimes listed as “LFO” without the “v2” designation, and these can go for $100 - $130 among collectors who want the earlier revision, though functionally the v2 is superior. There's no real scarcity here, and no known production quirks or failure-prone components. Service technicians observe that the module is solidly built, with no common failure points: no pots to crackle, no jacks to loosen, no power issues reported at scale. The PCB is tightly packed, but 2HP's assembly quality is consistent, and the modules are known to survive heavy gigging.

For buyers, the main thing to check is that you're getting the v2. Look for the “v2” designation on the front panel or in the product listing, and confirm it has CV control over both rate and waveform. The original LFO lacks waveform CV, which is a significant limitation. Also check the depth. 46mm is skiff-friendly, but in a tight case every millimeter counts. There are no known counterfeits, but some third-party sellers mislabel older units as v2s, so buying from reputable dealers or directly from 2HP's site is safest. Maintenance is virtually nonexistent: no user-serviceable parts, no trims, no firmware. It either works or it doesn't.

eBay Listings

2HP LFO V2 SILVER : NEW : [DETROIT MODULAR]

$109

2HP LFO V2 BLACK

$99.00

2hp LFO v2 Oscillator (Silver) EURORACK - NEW - PERFECT CIRC

$109

2hp LFO v2 Oscillator Black EURORACK - NEW - PERFECT CIRCUIT

$109

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