PWM Mantis

• Duophonic hybrid keyboard synthesizer
• Two oscillators per voice
• Mathematically generated digital oscillator design
• Sub-oscillator per voice
• Dual filter design inspired by OSCar
• Two loopable envelope generators
• Two LFOs
• Internal reverb and chorus effects
• Full-sized 37-note keyboard with aftertouch
• Assignable joystick controller

PWM Mantis

Duophonic Hybrid-Analogue Synthesiser

Born out of collaboration between PWM and the late Chris Huggett, Mantis draws from the legacy of synthesizers like the Wasp and OSCar, but with modern refinements and performance.

Blending sounds and techniques built over the years designing instruments for the likes of EDP and Novation, Huggett's final designs went into Mantis, and through some touch-up work and adding powerful MIDI capabilities, PWM brought Mantis to market to honor Huggett's legacy.

As a duophonic instrument, Mantis contains two independent voices—beginning with digital oscillators that are then processed through an entirely analog signal path, alongside a digital effects section.

Mantis features mathematically-generated oscillators, running on their own DSP chip for maximum performance and quality. There are two oscillators per voice, plus a sub-oscillator, meaning that you can dial in a blended variety of tones as you see fit.

Possibly the star of the show on Mantis is the unique VCF design, utilizing a unique configuration devised by Huggett. Based on SSI2164 VCA chips, the multi-mode filters in each voice may be controlled simultaneously in series or parallel configurations, with a width control similar to what was found on the OSCar. This leads to a distinctive array of sonic potential, helping Mantis stand out from the pack.

Like other PWM synthesizers, Mantis features incredible digital control capabilities, including MIDI CC control over all parameters. Mantis is a modern synthesizer for the modern day, and a fitting tribute to the legacy of Chris Huggett's work.

SPECS

• 200 Patches
  
  • All patches in RAM so can be overwritten
  • Bank A: 100 Factory presets
  • Bank B: 100 User presets (all set to initial patch)
  • Compare function
  • Initialise patch function
• Duophonic with 2 analogue signal paths
  
  • Mathematically generated oscillators designed by Chris Huggett
  • Analogue signal path designed by Chris Huggett
• 2 Oscillators plus sub-oscillator per voice
  • Sine / Triangle / Saw / Pulse plus additional wave types
  • Shape control and shape modulation input
  • Will create pulse width modulation on the pulse waveform with perfect square at the centre
  • Pitch modulation control
  • Octave selects per oscillator
  • OSC 1 SUB follows oscillator 1 parameters
• Oscillator Drift
  
  • Creates random pitch variations between oscillators
• Multi-mode state variable VCA filters with overdrive
  
  • 2 Analogue filters - 1 per signal path
  • Low Pass / Band Pass / High Pass in 12dB and 24dB configurations
  • Additional WBAND (series) and WSTOP (parallel) types
  • Filter Cutoff
  • Filter Cutoff Modulation
  • Filter Resonance
  • Filter Width
  • Filter Width Modulation
  • Filter Keytrack
• LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator)
  
  • 2 LFOs
  • 4 waveshapes per oscillator
  • Fade In / Fade Out parameter
  • SYNCable
  • Rate control
• Envelopes
  • 2 Independent envelopes
  • ENV 1 normalised to amplitude
  • ADSR
  • + Sustain Fall parameter for shaping during key-down
  • + Repeat which can be used to create looping envelopes
  • Velocity positive and negative control
• Ring modulation
• Mixer
  
  • First mix: OSC1 and OSC2
  • Second mix: OSCillators and noise
  • Third mix: OSCillators + noise and Ring modulator
• VCA (Voltage Controlled Amplifier)
  
  • All amplification is done in the analogue domain in multi-stage VCAs
• Modulation Routes
  
  • Control - 6 choices of modulation parameters
  • Source - 6 choices of effectors from envelopes and LFOs
  • Scale - choices of controls used to scale the effect of the modulation
• Glide
  
  • Glide amount
  • Auto-glide mode
• Indicator LEDs
  
  • Two LEDs for Voice
  • LED for Keyboard activity
• Master tune
• Master volume
• Triggering
  
  • ENV 1 Legato
  • ENV 2 Legato
• LFO Keytrig
• CONNECTIONS
  
  • Master power switch
  • DC 9V input
  • USBC
  • MIDI IN / OUT / THRU
  • Sustain pedal input (switch)
  • Pedal input (continuous)
  • Stereo 1/4” line Outs: L/Mono and R
  • Stereo 1/4” headphone out
• Multi-function Joystick control
  
  • Left / right for pitch bend
  • Performable vibrato
  • Latching hold mode
• Arpeggiator
  
  • arpeggiator types: Up, Down, Up/Down 1, Up/Down 2, Played & Random
  • Sync rates control from 2nds to 32nds
  • Tap tempo button
  • Swing including positive and negative swing
  • Auto clock sync
    
    • Detects MIDI or USB-MIDI clock and synchronises the arpeggiator automatically
  • Latch via joystick HOLD
  • 6 Octave range
• Dedicated tempo control
• Duophonic mode control
  
  • Duo mode
  • Duo mode with simple filter
  • Pan control for duophonic voicing
• Digital Effects
  
  • Reverb time
  • Reverb level
  • Reverb High Pass Filter
  • Reverb Low Pass Filter
  • Chorus level
  • Chorus type
• Keyboard Control
  
  • 37 Full-size semi-weighted velocity-sensitive keys
  • Channel aftertouch
  • Octave shift
• Weights and Dimensions (product unboxed)
  
  • 620 x 320 x 110 mm
  • 5.3 kg
• Includes:
  
  • Power Supply (9V 600mA)
  • USB C lead
  • Getting Started Guide