2hp S+H (2010–)

Two channels of analog voltage capture, in the smallest footprint you can plug into a Eurorack bus.

Overview

The 2hp S+H barely takes up space. Slot it into a forgotten sliver of your rack and you have a dual-channel analog sample and hold. It has no displays, no menus and no firmware updates. It has two independent circuits that grab a voltage when triggered and hold it until the next clock, as steady as analog can manage. You can use it to randomize filter cutoffs with white noise, freeze arpeggiated sequences into stuttering staircases, or downsample audio-rate signals into gritty, stepped artifacts.

Despite the minimalism, the S+H is built on purpose for Eurorack's tightest spaces, where every millimeter counts. The two channels are not clones. Each has its own signal input, trigger input and output. Patch them separately, or gang them together for stereo voltage manipulation. The input range is ±12V, so it handles control voltages and full audio signals without clipping. Clock it fast enough to sample incoming audio and smooth waveforms turn into jagged, bit-crushed textures, which suits glitchy transitions or rhythmic gating.

Don't expect lab-grade precision. This is analog sample and hold, not a digital converter. There's droop, the voltage sag over time as the holding capacitor leaks. If you use it to capture pitch CVs for more than a few seconds, the note drifts slightly downward. Some users fix that with quantizers downstream. Others let the slow decay become part of the composition. It's a texture generator and a utility, and it rewards experimentation more than exactitude.

Specifications

Manufacturer	2hp
Production Years	2010–
Original Price	$89
Width	2hp
Depth	45mm
Power Consumption +12V	5 mA
Power Consumption -12V	5 mA
Power Consumption 5V	0 mA
Channels	2
Function	Analog Sample and Hold
Input Voltage Range	±12V
Signal Inputs	2 (one per channel)
Trigger Inputs	2 (one per channel)
Outputs	2 (one per channel)
Color Options	Silver, Black
Manual Availability	Available online

Key Features

Analog Capture with Character

The circuit is simple in theory. When a trigger hits, a switch closes and charges a capacitor to the instantaneous voltage of the input signal. That voltage is buffered and sent to the output, where it stays, ideally, until the next trigger. But the capacitor leaks and the op-amps aren't perfect. The result is a slow voltage droop, usually in the millivolt-per-second range. Some users see this as a limitation. Others hear a subtle downward glide that makes randomized sequences feel more organic, like a tape loop slowly losing tension. It's not the module for pinning down exact 1V/oct pitches over long durations.

Dual Independent Channels

Two channels in 2hp isn’t just a space-saving gimmick—it’s a design philosophy. You can run them in parallel, feeding the same source into both and triggering them together for stereo voltage output. Or use them independently: one capturing noise for filter modulation, the other freezing an LFO to control panning. The independence means no crosstalk, no shared resources—just two clean, isolated circuits sharing only power and physical space. This makes the S+H unusually flexible for such a narrow module. It can act as two utility tools at once, or combine forces for more complex modulation routing. No jumpers, no internal switches—just patch cables and intention.

Audio-Rate Sampling Capability

Most sample and holds work with control voltages, the slow, smooth changes that modulate filters or pitch. The 2hp S+H can keep up with audio signals too. Feed it a sine wave and clock it at audio rates, and it outputs a stepped approximation of that waveform. It's lo-fi, crunchy and full of artifacts. It turns smooth audio into something granular and rhythmic, useful for stutter effects, pseudo-bit reduction, or rhythmic gating without external sequencers. Clock it with a fast LFO or a divided-down audio signal and you have a real-time resampling engine.

Historical Context

When 2hp launched the S+H around 2010, Eurorack was still growing fast, but it was far from the sprawling ecosystem it is today. Racks were smaller, budgets tighter, and module width was a real concern. A 2hp-wide dual sample and hold was borderline radical. Most S&H modules at the time were 4hp or wider, often bundled with other functions like noise sources or logic. The 2hp brand philosophy was minimalist, no-frills and space-efficient, built around the idea that utility shouldn't take up real estate. The S+H is that idea in its plainest form: pure function, nothing else.

It arrived alongside a wave of ultra-compact modules from builders like Intellijel and Doepfer, but 2hp made *everything* 2hp. No exceptions. That created a niche: users with leftover gaps in their cases could fill them with functional modules instead of blank panels. The S+H wasn't the first sample and hold, but it was one of the first to make the function feel like a modular accessory, something you could add almost as an afterthought and still get serious use from. It didn't compete with high-end, precision S&Hs like the Doepfer A-184-1 or the Mutable Instruments Stages. It offered a fast, compact alternative for users who valued speed and space over laboratory accuracy.

Collectibility & Value

The 2hp S+H has never been rare. Production has remained steady since its debut, and it's consistently in demand. Used units sell for $60 - $80 depending on condition, while new ones still list at $89. There's no significant price inflation, which fits its role as a utility rather than a collector's item. It's a staple in many skiff builds and travel cases, where space efficiency is non-negotiable. If you're buying used, check for bent pins or damaged jacks. The compact size makes it vulnerable during insertion and removal, especially in crowded rows. The PCB is simple, with few failure points, but the power pins can stress over time if the module is frequently unplugged.

There are no known firmware issues (it has none) and no common circuit failures beyond standard capacitor aging. After a decade or more of use, some units may show increased droop from capacitor degradation. A recap fixes it, though few bother, given the low cost of the module and the fact that droop is already part of its sound. For critical pitch applications, pairing it with a quantizer (like the Intellijel Quadrax or MakeNoise René) is common practice. Most users accept the analog quirks. It's not a precision instrument.