PWM
Mantis

Hybrid Analog Synthesizer

The Mantis by PWM is a duophonic analog synthesizer with two oscillators plus a suboscillator per voice. It features two envelopes with sustain fall and envelope repeat, a multimode VCA filter with low pass, band pass and high pass (12dB and 24dB). The Mantis also has two LFOs that give you additional control over the sound, adding depth and texture.

Features

  • Duophonic hybrid analog synthesizer
  • Oscillator drift
  • Multi-mode state variable VCA filter with overdrive
  • LFO (low frequency oscillator)
  • Envelopes
  • Ring modulation
  • Mixer
  • VCA (voltage controlled amplifier)
  • Modulation paths
  • Glide
  • Indicator LEDs
  • Master tune
  • Master Volume
  • Trigger
  • Multifunction joystick control
  • Arpeggiator
  • Dedicated tempo control
  • Duophonic mode control
  • Digital effects

Together with the VCA overdrive and arpeggiator, the creative possibilities of the Mantis are almost limitless. The synthesizer also offers digital effects such as reverb and chorus to add extra dimensions to the sound. The MIDI In/Out/Thru interface lets you connect the Mantis to other devices, and the 37 impact keys with channel aftertouch offer intuitive playability. With a multi-function joystick, sustain and controller pedals, and stereo line and headphone outputs, Mantis has everything you'd expect from a modern, powerful synthesizer.

The Mantis Project

This project is a collaboration between the late Chris Huggett (Gnat. Aasp, Oscar) and PWM (Paul Whittington). Paul tells the story of the creation of Mantis and working with Chris.

MANTIS Specs

MANTIS SPECS

  • All patches are in RAM and can be overwritten
  • Bank A: 100 factory presets
  • Bank B: 100 user presets (all set to the original patch)
  • Comparison function
  • Patch initialization function 
  • Mathematically generated oscillators, developed by Chris Huggett
  • Analog signal path, developed by Chris Huggett
  • Sine / triangle / saw / pulse as well as other waveforms
  • Shape control and shape modulation input
    • Creates pulse width modulation on the pulse waveform with perfect square in the middle
  • Controls pitch modulation
  • Octave selection per oscillator
  • OSC 1 SUB follows the parameters of oscillator 1
  • Creates random pitch fluctuations between oscillators
  • 2 analog filters - 1 per signal path
  • Low-pass / band-pass / high-pass in 12dB and 24dB configurations
  • Additional WBAND (serial) and WSTOP (parallel) types
  • Filter cutoff
  • Filter cutoff modulation
  • Filter Resonance
  • filter width
  • Filter width modulation
  • Filter Keytrack
  • 2 LFOs
  • 4 waveshapes per oscillator
  • Fade In / Fade Out Parameter
  • SYNCable
  • Rate control
  • 2 independent envelopes
  • ENV 1 normalized to amplitude
  • ADSR
  • + Sustain fall parameters for shaping during key-down
  • + Repeat to create envelopes in loops
  • Positive and negative velocity control
  • First mix: OSC1 and OSC2
  • Second mix: OSCillators and noise
  • Third mix: OSCillators + noise and ring modulator
  • All amplification is done in the analog domain in multi-stage VCAs
  • Control - 6 modulation parameters to choose from
  • Source - 6 effectors to choose from, including envelopes and LFOs
  • Scaling - selection of controls to scale the modulation effect

MANTIS SPECS

  • ENV 1 Legato
  • ENV 2 Legato
  • LFO Keytrig
  • LFO Keytrig
  • Mains switch
  • DC 9V input
  • USBC
  • MIDI IN / OUT / THRU
  • Input for sustain pedal (switch)
  • Sustain pedal input (continuous)
  • Stereo 1/4" line outs: L/mono and R
  • Stereo 1/4" headphone output
  • Left / right for pitch bend
  • Performable vibrato
  • Snap-on hold mode
  • 6 arpeggiator types.
    • Up, Down, Up/Down 1, Up/Down 2, Played & Random
  •  Sync rate control from 2nds to 32nds
  •  Tap tempo button
  • Swing including positive and negative swing
  • Automatic beat synchronization.
    • Detects the MIDI or USB MIDI clock and synchronizes the arpeggiator automatically
  •  Latch via joystick HOLD
  • 6 octave ranges
  • Duo mode
  • Duo mode with single filter
  • Pan control for duophonic voicing
  • reverberation time
  • reverb level
  • High-pass reverb filter
  • Low-pass filter for reverb
  • Chorus level
  • Chorus type
  • 37 full-size semi-weighted velocity-sensitive keys
  • Channel aftertouch
  • Octave shift

 (product in unpacked condition)

  • 620 x 320 x 110 mm
  • 5.3 kg

Paul, who?

Paul Whittington has an in-depth knowledge of the music production process. Having worked for Evolution Electronics, M-Audio, AVID, Focusrite and Novation, he has been directly involved with countless products that have become famous in the studio and live music industry. In addition to his product management experience, he is a passionate synthesis designer and professional keyboardist with appearances on radio and television. With so much knowledge and experience in the music industry, Paul has finally founded PWM by selecting the best industry specialists to develop the innovative and exciting products that will soon be released. A doting husband and proud father of two, when Paul isn't tending to his family, he can mostly be found in his man cave, tinkering, plotting and scheming.