Description
u-he HIVE 2 Synth — Sleek, Streamlined, Supercharged Virtual Instrument for PC & Mac
Hive’s clear layout and easy workflow let you create stunning patches in next to no time at all. Although surprisingly CPU-friendly, Hive doesn’t sacrifice flexibility or audio quality. Now packed with more controls than ever, version 2 opens up new dimensions of expression… and sheer fun!
The u-he HIVE 2 Synth is designed for producers who want a fast, intuitive synthesizer that still delivers professional-grade sound. With three different synth engines, 2400+ factory presets, drag-and-drop modulation, and a resizable UI, Hive 2 strikes the perfect balance between simplicity and depth.
Key Features
Three Synth Engines
Hive 2 includes three distinct synthesis engines: standard oscillator mode for classic waveforms, 2D wavetable mode for evolving textures, and a sub-oscillator layer for additional low-end depth. Each oscillator supports up to 16x unison for massive, stacked sounds.
Drag & Drop Modulation
Assigning modulation has never been faster. Simply drag from any modulation source to any destination. The 12 x 2 modulation matrix includes modifiers for curvature, rectification, quantization, sample & hold, and slew rate — giving you deep control without complex routing.
4 XY Control Pads
User-definable XY pads let you morph between four sound variations in real time. Assign any parameters to the X and Y axes and create dynamic, evolving performances.
8-Step Shape Sequencer
The unique shape sequencer features 4 independent outputs, allowing you to create complex rhythmic modulation patterns that go beyond standard step sequencers.
Arpeggiator & Step Sequencer
Integrated arpeggiator with real-time recording and a scale quantizer with pre-defined scales makes it easy to create musical patterns without leaving the plugin.
2 Function Generators
Function generators can serve as extra envelopes, gate generators, LFOs, or slew limiters — adding flexible modulation options beyond the standard four envelopes and four LFOs.
7 Rearrangeable Effects
Distortion, chorus, delay, phaser, EQ, reverb, and compressor — all rearrangeable in any order. Panel presets for oscillators, filters, envelopes, LFOs, sequencer, FX, and modulation matrix let you save and recall specific setups.
Additional Features
- 2400+ NKS-ready factory presets by some of the favourite sound designers, many more available online
- Resizable UI from 70% to 200%
- Alternative Izmo skin
- Microtuning support (.tun files)
- Scope to view audio output or any modulation signal with freeze option and zoom controls
- Solo buttons to audition individual oscillators and filters during sound design
- Support for Oddsound MTS-ESP (v2.1)
✅ Why Choose u-he HIVE 2?
- ✅ 3 synth engines — standard, wavetable, and sub-oscillator for versatile sound design
- ✅ 2400+ factory presets — NKS-ready, by top sound designers
- ✅ Drag-and-drop modulation — the fastest workflow in any soft synth
- ✅ CPU-friendly — surprisingly efficient for the features it packs
- ✅ Resizable UI — from 70% to 200% for any screen size
- ✅ PC & Mac — VST/VST3/AU/AAX (Windows only for AAX — see note below)
Experience the Fastest Workflow in Synthesis
3 synth engines, 2400+ presets, drag-and-drop modulation, 4 XY pads, and an 8-step shape sequencer — all in a CPU-friendly package.
Add HIVE 2 Synth to Cart — $70
Instant digital download • VST/VST3/AU/AAX • PC & Mac • NKS-ready
Compatibility Notes
Note for Pro Tools users: At the time of release, Avid could not provide an AAX SDK that would let u-he build Universal Binary AAX plugins. Therefore, Pro Tools for Mac is not currently supported. Pro Tools for Windows is still supported. Mac Pro Tools users should use previous versions available from the Release Archive.
Enhanced in v2.1.1: Improved resource management for better performance.
Looking for more synthesizers? Browse our full VST instruments collection for additional sound design tools.
â“ Frequently Asked Questions
🔹 What makes Hive 2 different from other u-he synths?
🔹 Is Hive 2 CPU-friendly?
🔹 Does Hive 2 support wavetables?
🔹 Does it work with Apple Silicon Macs?
🔹 How many presets come with Hive 2?
Note: This is a digital VST instrument delivered as an instant download. No physical items are shipped. Compatible with PC (VST/VST3/AAX) and Mac (VST/VST3/AU). Pro Tools for Mac not currently supported (see note above).
