Pricing and availability

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Plugin Boutique
4.8 (673)
$149.00
Sweetwater
4.5 (15)
$149.00
Thomann
4.8 (31)
$138.00 $135.00 $3.00 · All time low
Gear4Music
£125.00

Average Price: $146

Standard/Professional

$79

$200+

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Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 4 merchants for "u-he Hive 2". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

The u-he Hive 2 synthesizer plugin is where simplicity meets power, offering a creative playground for music producers across genres. Designed with a sleek, single-screen interface, Hive 2 enables you to dive deep into sound design without overwhelming your CPU. Whether you're crafting lush ambient drones or punchy EDM basslines, Hive 2's intuitive layout invites you to explore and perfect your sonic palette with minimal fuss.

This virtual synth doesn't just stop at being user-friendly; it's packed with robust features that let you push the boundaries of your creativity. With wavetable support and a flexible modulation matrix, Hive 2 provides a rich environment for building complex textures and dynamic rhythms. The arpeggiator and step sequencer add layers of melodic intrigue, while the vast array of effects, including distortion and reverb, allow you to sculpt your sound with precision.

Hive 2 is not just a tool; it's an invitation to sonic exploration. Its lightweight design ensures you stay in the creative zone without technical hiccups, while the comprehensive modulation capabilities open doors to new dimensions of musical expression. Whether you're a seasoned producer or a budding enthusiast, Hive 2 adapts to your workflow, offering both depth and accessibility.

Key Features:

  • Sleek single-screen interface for easy navigation
  • Low CPU usage with three selectable synth engine characters: Normal, Dirty, Clean
  • Two oscillators with wavetable support and tunable sub-oscillators
  • Up to 16x unison voices per oscillator
  • Flexible oscillator and filter routing with two multimode filters
  • 12-slot modulation matrix with drag & drop assignment
  • Arpeggiator and step sequencer with real-time recording
  • 4 user-definable XY control pads for dynamic modulation
  • 7 rearrangeable effects, including distortion, chorus, delay, and reverb
  • Over 2,000 presets and support for microtuning (.tun files)
  • Scalable user interface and easy MIDI control

Product specs

Software Type Synth
Platform Mac, PC
Upgrade/Full Full
Download/Boxed Download
Bit Depth 32-bit, 64-bit
Format AAX, VST2, VST3, AU, NKS
Hardware Requirements - Mac Intel Core i3 or higher, 4GB RAM or more recommended
Hardware Requirements - PC Intel Core i3 or higher, 4GB RAM or more recommended
OS Requirements - Mac OS X 10.9 or later
OS Requirements - PC Windows 7 SP1 or later

FAQs

What are the standout features of the u-he Hive 2 synthesizer?

The u-he Hive 2 is known for its intuitive interface and powerful sound engine, featuring two oscillators with extensive modulation capabilities. It includes over 2300 presets, covering a wide range of sounds like mono and poly leads, pads, basses, and strings.

Is u-he Hive 2 compatible with my DAW?

u-he Hive 2 supports AAX, VST2, VST3, AU, and NKS formats, making it compatible with most major DAWs, including Ableton Live, Logic Pro, and Pro Tools.

What are the system requirements for running u-he Hive 2 on a Mac?

For Mac users, u-he Hive 2 requires OS X 10.9 or later, with an Intel Core i3 or higher processor, and a minimum of 4GB RAM is recommended.

Can I use u-he Hive 2 on a Windows PC?

Yes, u-he Hive 2 is compatible with Windows 7 SP1 or later, requiring an Intel Core i3 or higher processor, and 4GB of RAM or more is recommended.

Does u-he Hive 2 offer polyphonic capabilities?

Yes, u-he Hive 2 is capable of both monophonic and polyphonic sounds, allowing for a wide range of musical expression and complex sound design.

u-he

u-he

Hive 2 Preset Walkthrough

Video thumbnail for Hive 2 Preset Walkthrough by u-he

Hive 2 Preset Walkthrough

u-he

u-he

Video thumbnail for u-He Hive 2 is INSANELY good! First look VST Plugin by Dash Glitch

u-He Hive 2 is INSANELY good! First look VST Plugin

Dash Glitch

Dash Glitch

Video thumbnail for U-HE Hive 2 - Best presets [ most useful sounds ] by Pacific Base

U-HE Hive 2 - Best presets [ most useful sounds ]

Pacific Base

Pacific Base

Video thumbnail for Superbooth 2019: U-He Hive 2 by sonicstate

Superbooth 2019: U-He Hive 2

sonicstate

sonicstate

Video thumbnail for Introduction to Hive 2 - 1. The Control Bar by u-he

Introduction to Hive 2 - 1. The Control Bar

u-he

u-he

Video thumbnail for u-he Hive 2 Synth Beginners Guide by UDi Audio

u-he Hive 2 Synth Beginners Guide

UDi Audio

UDi Audio

Video thumbnail for U-HE Hive 2 Review [All Features Revealed] by Consordini

U-HE Hive 2 Review [All Features Revealed]

Consordini

Consordini

Video thumbnail for u-he Hive 2 Demo - Going Through Some Presets by UDi Audio

u-he Hive 2 Demo - Going Through Some Presets

UDi Audio

UDi Audio

Reviews

PROS

  • Large number of high-quality presets for diverse sound exploration

  • Warm analog sound with added wavetable functions for versatility

  • Highly rated for electronic music production, especially beat production

  • Simple, intuitive interface with effective modulation options

  • Cost-effective compared to hardware synths

  • Offers unique sound design capabilities with presets and tutorials available

  • Easy to tweak and customize sounds

  • Effective and simple filter options with "Clean", "Normal", and "Dirty" modes

CONS

  • Sub oscillators linked with main oscillator pan, limiting routing flexibility

  • Cannot route sub oscillators directly out, affecting FX use

  • Lacks advanced modulation options and FM capabilities compared to some competitors

Critic Reviews

u-he’s Hive 2 wave table capable synthesiser is a beast – Visuals Producer

wordpress.com

u-he's Hive 2.1 stands out as a powerhouse synthesizer, delivering lush, dynamic sounds with an intuitive interface that maximizes creativity. While it does demand a bit of time to master due to its depth and 3D wave table features, the learning curve is worthwhile for the rich sonic possibilities it unlocks. The impressive sound engine outshines competitors like Vital and Serum, allowing for quick creation of unique tones. However, the complexity of some wave tables can be overwhelming for beginners. Overall, Hive 2.1 is a top-tier plugin that rewards experimentation and dedication, making it a fantastic addition for any serious sound designer.

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 18 Ratings

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finngeometry

Great for it's intended purpose, but slightly lacking in a few areas.

Hive 2 is a fairly simple synthesizer. Unlike Zebra 2, it doesn't have any fancy modulation options or unique effects, just your standard repertoire for synths in this price range. However, it does run with this concept of simplicity quite effectively. For example, the 3 buttons labeled "Clean", "Normal" and "Dirty." These options affect the filters, and they result in the sound being cleaner or dirtier depending on what you select. The factory wavetables are also very high-quality and there's a lot of them.

However, I do have some complaints. First, the sub oscillators. There are 2 (one for each oscillator), and they work how you'd expect a sub-oscillator to work. However, what genius decided to link the pan of the main oscillator to the sub-oscillator? Furthermore, you can't route the sub oscillators directly out past the FX. If you're dealing with reverb or chorus, this can render the sub-oscillator almost useless as a sub (because nobody wants chorus to reverb on their subs). Plus, the lack of FM is frustrating, though hardly a dealbreaker.

Edit: I know someone might mention the FM simulating wave, and yes those do help amend the lack of FM somehwat. However, they don't provide nearly the same possibilities.

As far as recommendations go, I'd probably pick this up if you're considering Sylenth. It's basically that but with more advanced features. However, I'd recommend Serum over this (honestly, maybe even Vital), as those do much more.

pkennethk

Great, honest writeup. Thank you. Regardless of features, do you think Hive fundamentally sounds better than Sylenth1?

psion

Good Synth

Good Synth that will serve you well. Technically it should be better than Sylenth1 but I still like Sylenth1 more. This is deffo top 10 for sure though.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how TehCarterPSpartan uses u-he Hive 2

TehCarterPSpartan

Composer, Music Producer

...
Verified via u-he.com

TehCarterPSpartan uses the u-he Hive 2 synth plugin for its impressive presets, including "KS Dark Shot," as highlighted on u-he.com.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

1 alternative for u-he Hive 2, curated by the Equipboard community.

Xfer Serum Advanced Wavetable Synthesizer

 

similar sound

Honestly, Serum is just better. Currently, Hive stands at 149 €, which is only 10$ less than Serum. Plus, Serum's features far exceed Hive's. Better filters, the sub-oscillator doesn't suck, and more flexible modulation.

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