SH-MAX

Name: SH-MAX
Price: 59 USD
Author: Cherry Audio

by Cherry Audio · Synth · SH-series analog synth emulation

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SH-MAX combines three 1970s SH-series analog synths, the SH-5, SH-7 and SH-3A, into one instrument.

It has three oscillators, parallel multimode and band-pass filters, mono to 16-voice poly modes, a four-channel step sequencer, 20 effects and over 300 presets, for $59.

Best for: Keys & Synths, Bass, Sound Design. Genres: Electronic & EDM, Pop, Hip-Hop & Trap.

Keywords: polyphonic, sequencer, analog, warm, 70s, hardware emulation, preset-driven, basses, FM, monophonic, additive, BBD, drag-and-drop routing, leads, modulation matrix, modern, oversampling, sound design, subtractive, tempo-synced.

What it does

SH-MAX is Cherry Audio's fusion of three 1970s Roland monosynths, the SH-5, SH-7 and SH-3A, with ideas from the SH-2000 and the Model 104 sequencer. It merges their features into one panel and adds polyphony, effects and modern modulation.

Oscillators: three oscillators (VCO-1, VCO-2A and VCO-2B) with sawtooth, pulse, square and triangle, plus an SH-3A additive-style oscillator, ring modulator and white or pink noise.
Sync and FM: oscillator sync, pulse width modulation, VCO-to-filter FM and Autobend.
Dual filters: a resonant multimode low-, band- and high-pass filter in parallel with a dedicated band-pass filter; each source can go to either filter, both, or straight to the VCA.
Envelopes and LFOs: two ADSR envelopes per layer with velocity, looping and adjustable slop, two tempo-syncable LFOs, sample and hold, vibrato and portamento.
Voice modes: monophonic, duophonic, unison and 16-voice polyphonic, with adjustable VCO, VCF and VCA drift.
Sequencer: a four-channel step sequencer after the Model 104, with up to 16 steps per channel, chainable into 32 or 64-step cycles, plus humanize, DAW sync and MIDI output.
Expression: a Touch Effects panel with four assignable controls and polyphonic aftertouch.
Effects and presets: 20 effects in four chains (three signal paths plus global), from BBD Flanger to Tape Echo and Spring Reverb; over 300 presets in 14 categories.

It also has three interface themes styled after the SH-3A, SH-5 and SH-7, user-adjustable oversampling and full MIDI learn. A free 30-day demo is available.

Source: Cherry Audio product page

When to use it

SH-MAX is the pick for the bigger SH-5 and SH-7 sound, with three oscillators, parallel filters and a built-in step sequencer for basslines and arpeggios. Compared with TAL-BassLine-101, which covers the simpler SH-101, it has far more routing and adds polyphony. Unlike Arturia Mini V, it puts a four-channel sequencer on the panel. It is much cheaper than u-he Diva, though Diva models a wider range of classic analog designs in one plugin.

Best for: analog basses, sequenced lines, squelchy leads, effects sounds and warm polyphonic patches.
Genres: electronic, techno, synthwave and hip-hop.
Look elsewhere if: you only need a quick, simple mono bass; TAL-BassLine-101 is lighter.
Tip: MusicRadar suggests the Tape Echo effect for an authentic Roland character.

What producers say

Reviewers and users rate it as a warm, deep and very good-value analog emulation.

MusicRadar (Roland Schmidt, February 2026) praised the three oscillators, flexible routing and the System 100/104-style sequencer, calling it "deep and detailed" with "a unique sense of warmth".
The Gear Forum thread an experienced user called it "one of the nicest sounding, and most capable, soft synths" they had tried, and felt it was underpriced.
Criticisms: MusicRadar's only con was that its big sonic character can dominate a mix and needs careful placement.

Where to buy

Tutorials and reviews

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