AMSynths AM8132 (2022–Present)

A no-trim, slider-driven CV mixer that copies the Roland 132's look and function, without the vintage headaches

Overview

Put this module in a rack and it looks like a Roland 132 from a Tokyo studio basement: same gray panel, same clean white silkscreen, same 20mm sliders. It isn't a relic, though. It's a modern take on Roland's dual 4-channel CV mixer from the 1979 System 100M, built by someone who lived through the original's quirks and Behringer's awkward consolidation of it. Rob Keeble, the engineer behind AMSynths, had been sitting on this design since 2009. When Behringer merged the 132 CV mixer with the 165 portamento into a single, cramped module, Keeble saw the opening. The AM8132 was his answer: slider-based CV mixing, and nothing else.

The AM8132 packs two independent 4-channel mixers into a 16HP Eurorack format, each with non-inverted and inverted outputs, precision slide controls, and front-panel access to everything. Patch it for summing LFOs, blending sequenced voltages, or layering envelope generators. The original Roland 132 required careful trimming and suffered from inconsistent op-amps. The AM8132 uses modern RC4580 op-amps and a precision +10V reference, so no calibration is needed, ever. No more balancing trimmers with a multimeter at 2 a.m.

Specifications

ManufacturerAMSynths
Production Years2022–Present
Original Price£89 (SMD version)
Module Width16HP
Depth35mm
Power Consumption+12V: 40mA, -12V: 40mA
FunctionDual 4-channel CV mixer
Inputs per Mixer4 signal inputs
Mixer OutputsNon-inverted and inverted per mixer
Preset Voltages0 to +10V and 0 to -10V (precision, slider-controlled)
Preset Outputs1x +10V, 1x -10V
Input/Output Jacks16x 3.5mm (4 per mixer input, 2 per mixer output, 2 for preset outputs)
Control Elements8x 20mm slide potentiometers (4 per mixer), 2x 20mm sliders for preset voltages
Signal Range±10V peak-to-peak
Op AmpsRC4580
Voltage ReferencePrecision +10V
MountingStandard Eurorack panel with M3 screws
PCB TypeThrough-hole (THD) and surface-mount (SMD) versions
Country of OriginUK (design), PCB assembly offshore
AvailabilityDirect from AMSynths webstore

Key Features

True Dual 4-Channel Design with Inverted Outputs

The AM8132 has two full 4-channel mixers, each with its own set of inputs, level sliders, and both non-inverted and inverted outputs. The inverted output flips the polarity of a mod source for counter-phase movement. Opposing filter sweeps from a single sequencer work the same way. The original Roland 132 offered this too, but with less accessible trimmers and a more fragile build. Here the inverted outputs sit front-and-center. Because each mixer is independent, there are no shared signal paths, which suits complex, multi-voice patches where control voltage integrity matters.

Precision Preset Voltages with Default Patching

There are two dedicated precision voltage sliders, one for 0 to +10V and another for 0 to -10V, each with its own output jack. They are patchable sources, not test points. When no external signal is plugged into Input 3 (+10V) or Input 4 (-10V) of either mixer, the internal precision voltages default in. That gives you stable, calibrated offsets without patch cables. A quick +5V bias for an LFO, or a -3V offset on a sequencer, is one slider move. In many patches this removes the need for a separate offset module, saving space and patching complexity.

Modern Build, Vintage Aesthetic

Keeble upgraded the circuit instead of cloning it outright. The original Roland 132 used CA3140 op-amps, which varied in performance and required trimming. The AM8132 uses RC4580s, low-noise, high-slew-rate op-amps that are stable out of the box. No trims, no drift. The front panel is powder-coated with silk-screened graphics that match the Roland 132's look, right down to the font and layout. The 20mm sliders are custom-made for AMSynths and topped with colored caps for visual clarity. In mid-2023, the module moved from through-hole to surface-mount (SMD) components, which cut production time and cost without hurting reliability.

Historical Context

The Roland 132 was never a star. Released in 1979 as part of the System 100M modular line, it was a utility module for larger setups where CV routing got messy. Roland sold around 2,000 units over three years, mostly to studio pros building multi-cabinet systems. When Behringer announced their 100M series, fans expected faithful recreations. Instead, Behringer merged the 132 and 165 into one module, dropping the 165's MPX (gate-selectable portamento) and cramming tiny slide pots into a cluttered layout. For purists, it was a letdown. Keeble, who had already attempted the 132 clone in 2009 and 2018, saw the gap. His AM8132 lets the 132 stand alone, unmerged. Boutique builders are stepping in where mass-market clones fall short, with higher fidelity and better ergonomics.

Collectibility & Value

The AM8132 isn't a vintage collectible yet, but it's already a staple for Roland 100M system builders and Eurorack users who want clean, reliable CV mixing. New units sell for £89 directly from AMSynths, a fair price for a hand-assembled, UK-designed module with premium components and finish. Used units are rare on the secondhand market, but when they appear, they fetch between £80 - £100, depending on condition. There are no known failure points. The RC4580 op-amps are sturdy, the sliders are high-quality Alps variants, and the SMD redesign improved long-term reliability. Avoid counterfeit panels and knockoffs. For a 100M-inspired system that looks and functions like the original but won't drift or fail, the AM8132 is worth every penny.

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