[1][2] The synthesizer operated using sawtooth wave oscillators, which used a frequency divider in a similar manner to an electronic organ to provide full polyphony across a five-octave keyboard.
[3][4] The signal was then fed through a single envelope shaper, making the instrument paraphonic.
The front panel had two separate controls for the top and bottom of the keyboard, which could have independent sounds.
To achieve a more realistic sound of an ensemble of string players, the output was fed through a chorus effect using a number of delay lines triggered by low frequency oscillators.
[6] Notable users of the RS-202 include Genesis' Tony Banks, Camel's Peter Bardens, Los Bukis and Tomita.