PWM / Mantis

Mantis is a unique duophonic hybrid analog synthesizer, the result of a collaboration between the late legendary designer Chris Huggett (Gnat, WASP, OSCar) and PWM's Paul Whittington.

Chris remained committed to the development of Mantis until the end of his life, and the PWM team, with the support of his family, has continued his work and made this precious synthesizer a truly wonderful and enjoyable experience for all - a new name in the illustrious history of British synthesizers.

Hybrid Analog Synthesizer
Mathematically generated oscillators from a pure analog signal path
Heritage Sound
Modernized architecture based on WASP and OSCar-style filters designed by Chris Huggett
Duophonic
Two completely independent voices, two oscillators and sub-oscillators per voice
Dual Filter
Multi-mode state-variable VCA filter with overdrive on each voice
37-key full-size semi-weighted keyboard with aftertouch and joystick
High-quality keyboard, joystick, and USB-MIDI control with velocity/channel aftertouch for instant integration in the studio or live
Oscillators
Generated from advanced DSP calculations, oscillators provide the ultimate in stability and control. Everything then passes through an analog mixer, gain staging, and filters before your eyes for that lovely "exceptional sound. This is why we call this unit a "hybrid.

VCF
The filter is a multi-mode version, including overdrive, that uses a specially configured SSI2164 chip designed by Chris Huggett, one for each analog signal path, for a total of two. They can be combined in series or parallel, and can be operated with the "Width" and "Width Mod" controls. The "Width" and "Width Mod" controls provide a unique sound that can only be experienced with OSCar.

VCA
The Mantis gain staging is all analog. The VCA Mantis gain staging is all analog and is processed through the SSI2164 VCA. The signal is amplified twice to ensure that the overdriven sound is warm and naturally clipped.

Envelope
The two ADSR envelopes provided by Mantis each have their own "Sustain Fall" and "Velocity (velocity modulation level) The "Sus Fall" adjustment allows the user to adjust the "Velocity" level. "Sus Fall" can be adjusted to provide a drop effect between key presses and before release, opening up a wide range of sound design possibilities. Each envelope can also be set to repeat mode for a "pseudo-LFO" effect.

Effects
Mantis features two simple digital effects: reverb and chorus. The reverb has "Time" and "Level" controls, as well as "HPF (high-pass)" and "LPF (low-pass)" filters. LPF (Low Pass)" filters are also available, useful for limiting unwanted low-frequency muddiness and excessive high-frequency shimmer.

Specifications
200 patches
All patches can be saved/overwritten in RAM
Bank A : 100 factory presets
Bank B : 100 user presets (all factory set to initial state)
Compare function
Initialize function
Duophonic interweaving of two analog signal paths
Chris Huggett-designed arithmetically generated oscillator
Chris Huggett-designed analog signal paths
Two oscillators and sub-oscillators per voice
Sine, Triangle, Sawtooth, Pulse, and other additional waveforms
Shape and Shape Mod
Pitch modulation
Octave selection per oscillator
OSC 1 SUB depends on oscillator 1 parameters
Oscillator Drift
Random pitch changes between oscillators

Multi-mode state variable VCA filter with overdrive
Two analog filters, one in each signal path
Low-pass/Band-pass/High-pass and Wide Band/Wide Notch in 12 dB and 24 dB configurations
Filter Cutoff
Filter Cutoff Modulation
Filter Resonance
Filter Widus
Filter Widus Modulation
Filter Key Track
LFO
Two LFOs
4 waveforms per oscillator
Fade-in/fade-out parameters
Synchronizable
Rate control
Envelopes
Two independent envelopes (ENV 1 for amp control)
ADSR
+ Sustain fall parameter enabled on key presses
+ Repeat mode for envelope looping
Positive and negative velocity control
Mixer
OSC1 / OSC2
Oscillator / Noise
Oscillator + Noise / Ring Modulator
VCA
All amplification is performed in the analog domain by a multi-stage VCA
Modulation Root
Controls: select parameters for modulation effect
Source: Select source for modulation effect
Scale: Select the control used to apply the modulation effect
Glide
Adjusts the amount of glide
Auto glide mode
Trigger
Env 1 Legato
Env 2 Legato
LFO 1 Keytrig
LFO 2 Keytrig
Connection
Main power switch
DC 9V input
USB-C
MIDI IN / OUT / THRU
Sustain input (switch)
Pedal input (continuous)
Stereo 1/4" line outputs (L/Mono and R)
Stereo 1/4" headphone output
Multi-function joystick
Pitch bend
Vibrato
Hold mode
Arpeggiator
Type : Up, Down, Up/Down 1, Up/Down 2, Play, Random
Sync rate from half note to 32nd note
Tap tempo
Swing
Automatic clock synchronization : Automatic synchronization of the arpeggiator to the detected clock
Latch by joystick
Octave width: 6
Duophonic mode
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
Full-size semi-weighted 37 keys
Velocity support
Channel aftertouch support
Octave shift
Miscellaneous
Ring modulation
Master Tune
Master Volume
Tempo control
Dimensions and Weight
620 mm x 320 mm x 120 mm
5.3 kg
Accessories
PSU (9V 600mA)
USB-C to USB-A cable
Getting Started Guide