2hp Switch (2013–)

Name: 2hp Switch
Brand: 2hp

A simple gatekeeper that turns signal routing into a performance tool.

Overview

You don't notice the 2hp Switch at first. It's a sliver of brushed aluminum tucked between oscillators and filters. Then the patch goes silent where there used to be motion, and you know it was doing its job. With four inputs and one output, it routes audio, CV, or gates, and you pick the source manually or via control voltage. It's not a mixer. It doesn't blend. It selects.

The Switch is only 2hp wide, but it's useful. Use it to swap between two LFO waveforms on a filter, alternate between drum voices, or toggle modulation sources in real time. The front panel is stripped down: four input jacks, one output, a small knob for manual selection, and a CV input with attenuator. The Switch uses analog switching circuitry, so it passes signals without digitizing or buffering. What goes in comes out, more or less, just routed differently. It handles audio fine, though purists note a slight coloration, especially with high-impedance sources. With V/Oct pitch signals, the manual warns of "slight variations" that can cause tuning discrepancies. That's not a dealbreaker, but test it before you route your main oscillator's pitch CV through it.

The Switch works well for rhythmic modulation. Pair it with a sequencer or LFO and you can cycle through different filter cutoffs, envelope shapes, or entirely separate sound generators. Because it responds to CV, you can modulate the selection like any other parameter - automating transitions, creating pseudo-random sequences, or using it as a crude sample-and-hold by feeding in stepped voltages. The manual selection knob is precise, with clear detents for each of the four channels. It's not bidirectional. Unlike some larger sequential switches, you can't reverse the order or use it as a round-robin router without external logic. It only moves forward.

Specifications

Manufacturer	2hp
Production Years	2013–
Original Price	$119
Width	2hp
Depth	45 mm
Power Consumption +12V	31 mA
Power Consumption -12V	16 mA
Power Consumption 5V	0 mA
Inputs	4 x 3.5mm (audio/CV/gate)
Output	1 x 3.5mm (audio/CV/gate)
CV Input	1 x 3.5mm with attenuator
Manual Selection	Rotary knob with 4-position detent
Signal Type	Analog switching (unidirectional)
Switching Speed	Extremely fast (electronic switching)
Color Options	Silver, Black

Key Features

Minimalist Design, Maximum Flexibility

At just 2hp wide, the Switch is one of the narrowest signal routers in Eurorack, which makes it a favorite for skiff builders and anyone tight on space. The aluminum panel is sturdy, with cleanly labeled jacks and a smooth-turning selection knob that gives tactile feedback at each of the four positions. There's no LED indication of the active channel. Some users see this as a flaw, others appreciate the minimalism. You learn to feel the detents. The feel is mechanical, even though the switching itself is solid-state.

CV Control with Attenuation

The CV input is central to the module. Feed it a 0-5V control voltage and the Switch steps through its four channels proportionally. Eurorack CV sources vary widely in voltage range and offset, so the built-in attenuator is essential. An LFO running from -5V to +5V won't step evenly through the channels without being offset and scaled. The attenuator lets you dial in the range, so a triangle wave can sweep from input one to four without skipping or stalling. Users report that smooth, linear stepping takes some patching work, sometimes with an offset module or attenuverter, but once set it's rock solid. The CV response is linear, so voltage maps directly to channel position. That makes it easy to sync with sequencers or clock dividers.

Signal Integrity and Limitations

The Switch handles audio without audible degradation in most contexts, but it isn't transparent the way a buffered mult or active mixer might be. Some users report a slight thinning of high frequencies with certain waveforms, particularly with long cable runs or high-impedance outputs. That's a characteristic of the analog switching topology, which relies on FETs rather than op-amps. With no buffering, the Switch doesn't isolate inputs from outputs, so impedance interactions can occur. For critical audio paths, like routing a delicate pad through multiple effects, it might not be the cleanest choice. For modulation, gates, or percussive elements, it's more than acceptable. Pitch is the weak spot. The manufacturer's note about "slight variations" in V/Oct signals is real, and if you switch between two pitch sources for a melody, you might notice tuning drift or inconsistency.

Historical Context

The 2hp Switch arrived in 2013, when Eurorack was shedding its niche status and entering a period of explosive growth. Manufacturers were racing to fill every function in the format, and space efficiency became a premium. 2hp, founded by Tony Rolando (also known for the Organelle and later, the Lush-101), built its reputation on ultra-compact modules that did one thing well. It wasn't the first voltage-controlled router, since Doepfer's A-151 had been around for years, but it was among the first to offer such functionality in a 2hp form factor. Many modules at the time were 8hp or wider. The Switch wasn't trying to replace larger sequential switches. It was a leaner alternative for people who valued space and simplicity over bidirectional routing or manual sequencing.

Its main competitors were the Doepfer A-151, which offered bidirectional switching and multiple modes, and the Erica Pico Seq, a 3hp module with clock input and forward/reverse logic. The 2hp Switch competed on footprint and immediacy, not features. It was less a sequencer and more a selector, built for quick swaps rather than complex automation. It also reflected a broader trend in modular design toward "utility" modules that weren't flashy but got used daily.

Collectibility & Value

The 2hp Switch has never been rare. 2hp maintained steady production, and the module remains available new from dealers. It isn't a collector's item in the traditional sense, so there are no vintage premiums or scalper markups. On the used market, Switch modules typically sell for $75 - $95, depending on condition and color (black is slightly more sought after than silver). It has no moving parts beyond the selector knob, so failure rates are low. The most common issue reported is intermittent contact in the knob, usually from dust or wear, which can be resolved with contact cleaner. There are no known firmware updates or revisions - the module has remained unchanged since its introduction.

Buying used? Check that all four positions engage cleanly and that the CV response is linear across the range. Patch in a slow LFO and verify that it steps through each input without skipping or sticking. Also test with a pitch CV to see if tuning remains stable - some users have reported drift, though it's often patch-dependent. The module draws modest power (31mA on +12V, 16mA on -12V), so it's safe for even the most tightly loaded power supplies. No special maintenance is required, and there are no capacitors or other components known to degrade over time. If you're building a compact or travel-friendly system, the Switch is still one of the best routing solutions under 3hp.