AMSynths AM8060 JP6 Multi-Mode VCF (2010–)

A filter with red LED sliders and a temperamental streak.

Overview

The Roland Jupiter 6 filter has a growl you can hear in mid-'80s synth-pop basslines. It's smooth until you push it, then it bites. The AMSynths AM8060 JP6 Multi-Mode VCF puts that filter in a Eurorack case. It's a no-compromise clone of the original 1983 Roland design, built by hand in Britain in 14 HP. It looks like just another filter module at first glance. Owners say it's a little unpredictable and full of quirks.

AMSynths launched the AM8060 in late 2010. Eurorack was still finding its feet beyond basic oscillators and envelopes at the time. AMSynths went for a specific piece of vintage circuitry that had long been overshadowed by the Jupiter 8's more famous filter. The Jupiter 8's filter is silky and polished. The Jupiter 6's has teeth. The AM8060 keeps that rawness, and it's described as more aggressive than its 4-pole OTA cousin in the Jupiter 8. It shapes everything from vintage pads to modern, gnarly sound design textures.

The build matters here too. The module uses the original Roland JP-6 momentary buttons with bright red LED indicators. Each unit is hand-built and tested in Sussex, England, in small batches, and ships with a two-year warranty. The front panel is 2mm thick aluminum and the knobs are black anodized aluminum. The sliders are red LED slide potentiometers, standing in for the ones on a real Jupiter 6.

Specifications

ManufacturerAMSynths
Dimensions14 HP
Weight300.0 g
Core componentUses Rpar AS3109 chips
Filter modes24dB Low Pass Filter, 24dB High Pass Filter, 12dB Band Pass Filter
Filter topologyComprises two 2-pole State Variable filters (SVF's) in series.
Front panel controlsRotary INPUT MIX pot, slide potentiometers for cutoff and modulation, rotary RESONANCE pot, pair of momentary switches with red LED indicators for filter mode selection, original Roland JP-6 momentary buttons with LED's, black aluminium control knobs
PCB size80 x 100mm
Connections2x audio inputs, 2x frequency control voltages, 1x resonance control voltage, 1x audio signal output (all 3.5mm jack sockets)
CV RangeResonance and frequency cutoff can be controlled by external CV signals, typically from 0 to +10V
Included accessoriesa set of M3 mounting screws and washers, and a standard Doepfer power cable

Key Features

A Clone With Convictions

The AM8060 is a direct replica of the Roland Jupiter 6's voltage controlled filter, right down to the circuit topology. It uses two 2-pole State Variable Filters (SVFs) in series, each switchable between low-pass and high-pass modes. With both set to low-pass, you get a 24dB/octave low-pass response. Both in high-pass gives the same slope for the highs. Set one low-pass and one high-pass and you get a 12dB band-pass filter. That's how the original Jupiter 6 did it, and AMSynths stuck to it.

The Heart of the Beast: OTA Design

The filter relies on the same OTA (Operational Transconductance Amplifier) design Roland first used in the Jupiter 4 back in 1980. The design evolved with the Jupiter 8, where Q compensation was added to keep resonance stable across the frequency range. The AM8060 follows that lineage and copies the raw behavior of the Jupiter 6's implementation. It's less polished than the Jupiter 8, but more expressive in its instability. In 2023, the re-issued version got a revised resonance control circuit, likely to improve consistency.

Tactile, Retro, Real

The front panel follows the original. The red LED slide pots for cutoff and modulation are the same type used on the original Jupiter 6, with visual feedback built in. The momentary mode switches click, and the red LEDs light up to confirm your selection. The rotary INPUT MIX pot blends two audio sources before filtering. Resonance is controlled with a knob, and it can also be modulated via CV, like everything else. There are no menus.

Built Like a Tank, Sold Like a Secret

Every module is hand-built in Sussex, England, in small batches. There's no mass production, just assembly and testing. The 2mm aluminum front panel feels substantial, and the black anodized knobs resist wear. It ships with a standard Doepfer power cable and M3 mounting hardware. The original 2010 run was tiny - just 30 units, all of which sold out. The design has been re-issued multiple times, most recently in 2023.

Historical Context

The original filter this module clones launched in 1983 in the Roland Jupiter 6. That synth often lived in the shadow of the Jupiter 8 but had a cult following for its programmability and raw sonic character. In late 2010, AMSynths introduced its Eurorack module range with the AM8060 JP6 VCF as one of the first offerings. The initial run of 30 units vanished quickly. It was re-issued in 2014 using the original Roland IR3109 OTA chips, but a short-run SE model that same year was cut short due to chip shortages. The module returned again in 2022, and once more in 2023, this time with Rpar AS3109 chips and the revised resonance circuit.

Collectibility & Value

New units are available directly from the manufacturer at £160.00 inclusive of tax, making it a relatively accessible piece of high-end Eurorack hardware. While there’s no data on secondary market prices or common failures, the module has developed a reputation for quality and authenticity. One PCB listing on Worthpoint describes the module as “rare,” though that likely refers to early runs or the short-lived SE version. The PCB itself is versatile—owners note it can be used to build modules for FracRack, MOTM, or Eurorack systems, adding to its appeal for DIY enthusiasts. With no reported reliability issues and a two-year warranty from AMSynths, it’s a low-risk investment for those seeking that classic Jupiter 6 filter character.

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