2hp Osc (2016–)
A one-knob, four-jack analog oscillator that fits in the gaps in your rack.
Overview
The space is two horizontal inches, enough for a single knob and four jacks. Most Eurorack modules take up far more room than that. Slide the 2hp Osc into the orphaned gap beside your MIDI interface and the gap becomes a voice. It's a real analog, voltage-controlled oscillator in a very small footprint.
The Osc puts out four waveforms at once: sine, triangle, sawtooth, and square. They have more body than the thin sound some micro-modules give you. The sine is clean but not sterile, the triangle is rounded and warm, the sawtooth bites, and the square has a solid, punchy core. It tracks well across octaves and stays musical when pushed to extremes. FM and sync inputs let it lock to other oscillators or warp under modulation, and the V/Oct input responds predictably, so it works for melodic parts despite the minimal interface.
You're not buying this one for the knobs. The single, stubby control is more of a pointer than a precision tool. Tuning takes two steps: set coarse pitch with the knob, then fine-tune via CV or an external source. That's awkward if you're used to sweeping smoothly through octaves, but in a modular setup tuning often happens from a keyboard or sequencer, so many people accept the trade-off. The impressive part is how much circuit fits into 2HP. Most manufacturers would have cut corners with a digital core, limited range or weak outputs. 2hp didn't. This is a fully analog oscillator.
The brand's philosophy divides users. Some praise its elegance and efficiency. Others grumble about the price, the tiny controls, and the lack of per-waveform attenuation. It is expensive for what it is: $150 to $200 depending on region and seller, for a module with one knob and no built-in LFO or modulation routing.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | 2hp |
| Production Years | 2016– |
| Width | 2HP |
| Depth | 34 mm |
| Max Power Consumption (+12V) | 60 mA |
| Max Power Consumption (-12V) | 10 mA |
| Waveforms | Sine, Triangle, Sawtooth, Square (simultaneous outputs) |
| Inputs | V/Oct, FM, Sync |
| Outputs | Sine, Triangle, Sawtooth, Square |
| Frequency Range | Sub-audio to high-frequency (capable of LFO use down to ~2.7 Hz) |
| Oscillator Type | Analog VCO |
| Skiff-Friendly | Yes |
| Module Series | 2hp Core Line |
| Original Price | $150 USD |
| Control Interface | 1 front-panel knob (coarse tuning) |
| Made in | USA |
| Compatibility | Eurorack |
| Power Connector | Standard 16-pin Eurorack ribbon cable |
Key Features
Analog Core, Minimal Footprint
Digital oscillators dominate the compact module market, and the 2hp Osc goes fully analog instead. That affects the sound. There's a slight softness in the attack and a subtle imperfection in the waveforms. Unlike some digital emulations that feel too perfect, the Osc drifts just enough to feel organic, especially when stacked with other analog voices. The circuit is derived from Qu-Bit's design heritage (though 2hp operates as a distinct brand), and that lineage shows in the stability and noise floor. It's not a temperamental beast like some early DIY VCOs. It powers up and stays in tune, even in less-than-ideal power conditions.
Simultaneous Waveform Outputs
Having all four waveforms at once is convenient. You can feed the sine into a filter while routing the square to a delay, or modulate the triangle with an envelope while using the sawtooth as an LFO. That makes the Osc a multi-tool as well as a tone generator. In a skiff or travel case where space is tight, getting several functions from one module helps. Other 2HP oscillators might offer fewer outputs or force you to choose, but here you get all four.
FM and Sync for Dynamic Control
The FM and sync inputs take the Osc beyond a simple drone machine. Patch in a second oscillator for classic frequency modulation and you get metallic bell tones and aggressive harmonics. Sync locks it to a master oscillator for sharp, sweeping leads that cut through a mix. Both inputs respond well to audio-rate and CV modulation, which makes the module expressive despite its static front panel. It won't replace a complex wavetable oscillator, but for raw, analog texture it holds its own.
Historical Context
The 2hp Osc arrived in 2016, when Eurorack was spreading beyond niche studios into home setups, laptops, and even live backpack rigs. Space was at a premium. Manufacturers responded with skiff-friendly designs, but few went as far as 2hp in making the 2HP width a design philosophy. Most companies treated 2HP as a novelty, fine for utilities or blank panels but not for core sound-generating modules. 2hp bet that users would value density and elegance over convenience, and the Osc was the proof of concept.
It wasn't the first 2HP oscillator, but it was the first to deliver professional-grade analog sound in that form. Competitors like Intellijel and Make Noise were building feature-laden modules in 6HP or more. 2hp went the other way and kept only what was essential. The module appealed to minimalists, travelers, and system builders obsessed with efficiency. It also sparked debate over whether it was innovation or over-engineering. Critics pointed to the high price and fiddly interface. Fans saw modular purity.
The brand's marketing was quiet: a website and a few social posts. There were no flashy demos and no influencer campaigns. People learned about it from other users, in forums, in patched systems. That word-of-mouth growth mirrored the DIY spirit of early modular, even as the market was becoming commercialized.
Collectibility & Value
The 2hp Osc isn't vintage in the traditional sense - production began in 2016, and it's still available - but it's already collectible in spirit. Build quality is solid: machined aluminum faceplate, reliable jacks, clean PCB assembly. Failures are rare, and when they happen it's usually power-related. The module draws asymmetric current (60 mA on +12V, 10 mA on -12V), and some older or poorly regulated power supplies struggle with that imbalance. Technicians observe that damaged power sections are the most common repair, though not widespread.
Used prices hover between $100 and $150, depending on region and condition. In North America, $120 - $140 is typical. In Canada and Europe, import fees sometimes push resale toward $180 or more. Brand-new units still sell for $150 direct from dealers, so depreciation is minimal.
Before buying, verify all waveforms are present and clean, with no dropouts or distortion. Test tracking across octaves using a known-good keyboard or sequencer. Patch in an FM source to make sure the input responds dynamically. Inspect the jacks too. They sit close together, and careless plugging can stress the solder joints over time. Modules with bent or loose jacks are a red flag.
For a minimalist skiff builder or someone optimizing every HP, it's worth the money. For a beginner building a first 84HP case, maybe not. The tiny knob and lack of fine-tuning can frustrate newcomers. And if you need multiple oscillators, the cost adds up fast - four Osc modules will set you back $600, more than some full-sized synths.
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