# S-2 — 12-voice polysynth

> Polyphonic synthesizer app for Roland AIRA Compact S-1 hardware. (iPhone/iPad app by Mathias Kirkerød.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/s-2/id6769518675 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Mathias Kirkerød](https://appshunter.io/developer/1884969842)
- Category: Music, Entertainment
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.50/5 from 4 App Store ratings · 1 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 16.0 · 17 MB
- Released: 2026-05-18
- Data updated: 2026-08-09
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/s-2/id6769518675/reviews.md

## What is S?

s-2 is a polyphonic synthesizer designed to work with the Roland AIRA Compact S-1.
  
ENGINE
Each voice runs two parallel engine slots that mix together. Pick a sound flavor per slot, including:
  • Classic analog — saw, square, sub, noise, pulse-width
  • Wavetable
  • FM
  • Speech
  • Chord
  • Plucked string

FILTER AND FX
Classic mode runs a vintage-style ladder filter into a simple Delay → Chorus → Reverb chain. Modern mode swaps in a multi-mode SVF (LP / BP / HP) followed by a 3-slot Advanced FX rack with Bitcrusher, Drive, Flanger, Phaser, Auto-Filter, Tape Delay, Plate Reverb and Chorus.

MODULATION
Two free-routing LFOs (sine / triangle / saw / square / random / noise, with optional clock-sync), a dedicated filter envelope with two destination slots, and a unified mod matrix dialog that visualizes every routing in one place. Click any knob in Learn mode to assign — no digging through menus.

FORMATS
  • Standalone for iOS
  • Audio Unit (AU) for Logic Pro and other AU hosts
  • AUv3 plugin for iPad / iPhone in AUM, GarageBand, Cubasis and more

  -
  s-2 is an independent third-party application. It is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Roland Corporation. "Roland", "AIRA", "AIRA Compact", and "S-1" are
  trademarks of Roland Corporation, used here only to describe MIDI compatibility between this app and that hardware.

## Key features

- Dual engine slots per voice
- Multiple sound flavors (analog, wavetable, FM, speech)
- Classic and Modern filter modes
- Advanced FX rack
- Two free-routing LFOs
- Unified mod matrix
- Standalone, AU, and AUv3 formats

## Recent user reviews (1 of 1)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/s-2/id6769518675/reviews.md

### 3/5 — The master level issue

*2026-06-24*

I want to explore it more but how do I tame the highly random loudness of the patches if I can’t set the main output so that its max stays permanently locked and does not keep changing with every patch? Sure, there is some benefit to being able to save it to the patch, but there should be one master level that controls the main output of the app. Currently many patches clip the input of Ableton when iPad is connected as a source over USB and the level has to be adjusted every time. It does not happen with other apps. Please fix it.

## Frequently asked questions about S

### What is S-2?

S-2 is a polyphonic synthesizer application designed to work with the Roland AIRA Compact S-1 hardware. It offers a wide range of sound engines, filters, and effects for music creation.

### Does S-2 work on iPhone and iPad?

Yes, S-2 is available as a standalone application for iOS and supports AUv3 plugin formats for iPad and iPhone, compatible with hosts like GarageBand and Cubasis.

### What sound engines are available in S-2?

S-2 features two parallel engine slots per voice, offering sound flavors such as classic analog (saw, square, sub, noise, pulse-width), wavetable, FM, speech, chord, and plucked string.

### What filters and effects does S-2 offer?

The app includes a classic ladder filter with Delay, Chorus, and Reverb, as well as a modern multi-mode SVF (LP/BP/HP) followed by a 3-slot Advanced FX rack with Bitcrusher, Drive, Flanger, Phaser, Auto-Filter, Tape Delay, Plate Reverb, and Chorus.

### How does S-2 handle modulation?

S-2 provides two free-routing LFOs with clock-sync options, a dedicated filter envelope with two destination slots, and a unified mod matrix for visualizing all routings. Knobs can be assigned in Learn mode.

### Is S-2 compatible with desktop DAWs?

S-2 can be used as an Audio Unit (AU) plugin for desktop DAWs like Logic Pro, allowing integration into professional music production workflows.

### How often is S-2 updated?

The latest version of S-2 is 2.1.1, which was last updated on August 8, 2026. This indicates a recent update cycle for the application.

### Does S-2 have ads?

No, S-2 does not contain advertisements. It is a free application that focuses on providing its synthesizer features without interruption.

## Version history (last 3 releases)

### 2.1.1 — 2026-08-08

NEW
- OUT panel: output meter, gain-reduction meter and a master compressor.
-  Four new effects in the Extended rack: 
    - Trance Gate 
    - Ring Mod
    - Comb Resonator 
    - Reverse Delay. 
- See your sound
    - The LFO draws its real output as it runs,
    - The Voice panel has a SCOPE tab with a waveform and spectrum
    - The envelopes show a dot riding the curve as each note plays.
- Tap tempo: double-tap the BPM dial and tap along, or type a number.
- Knob pickup for hardware: choose Jump, Catch or Glide.
- Tempo sync updated
- Signal Flow page
- Save your own presets, and delete the ones you don't want, from the preset menu.

SOUND

- All 41 engines are level-matched.
- Envelope knobs are far more precise at short times
- Sampled instruments (Grand Piano, Violin, Alto Sax) retouched
- Factory patches rebalanced
- Reverb pre-delay works as intended

INTERFACE
- Redesigned dials: clean rings
- Unusable dials disabled
- Tap any routing label to see which knob it drives.
- More smoothness in animations

### 1.7.1 — 2026-05-19

NEW
  • 16-step Tape loop recorder (MIDI + audio) with Scratch FX
  • Four new macro oscillators: chaotic FM, struck bell, twin peaks noise, feedback FM

IMPROVED
  • Portamento now matches the AIRA Compact S-1
  • Engine levels rebalanced 
  • Resonance and oscillator levels smoothed under modulation
FIXED
  • 6-Op FM silent at default macros
  • Tides pitch drift via LPG Decay
  • Advanced FX Primary/Secondary shift collision
  • Various UI fixes

### 1.3.0 — 2026-05-18

No release notes.

## More apps by Mathias Kirkerød

- [BeatRepeat](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/beatrepeat/id6760556942)

All apps by Mathias Kirkerød: https://appshunter.io/developer/1884969842

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-09.*
