PWM Mantis Duophonic Hybrid Analog/Digital Synthesizer

The Best of Both Worlds

Produced from the fruitful collaboration of Chris Huggett (Gnat, WASP, OSCar) and PWM (Paul Whittington), the Mantis Synthesizer is a duophonic hybrid analog and digital synthesizer, which like the famous WASP, sports two digital oscillators and one sub-oscillator per voice but takes things significantly further with one completely analog, multimode, state-variable VCF (based on the OSCar) per voice, multiple VCA gain stages, and two fully independent ADSR envelopes that sport a unique Sustain Fall feature. Not only is this synthesizer a joy to hear, it is a dream to play as well, with 37 full-sized, semiweighted keys that sport both velocity sensitivity and channel aftertouch for maximum expressivity.

This feature-rich synth is absolutely packed with useful functions for making the most of your musical creativity, whether live or in the studio, such as two LFOs with four waveshapes, a sophisticated mixer section with noise and ring modulation, a powerful modulation matrix, programmable glide and oscillator drift, a multifunctional joystick, six arpeggiator types with MIDI and USB sync, and digital effects including reverb and chorus, just to name a few. With connections for MIDI, USB (which can provide bus power), stereo line outputs, as well separate sustain and expression pedal inputs, you get a fully realized instrument that can handle any usage scenario and any style of music. The Mantis includes a 9V power supply and a USB-C cable to get you started.

Just like the classic EDP WASP designed by Chris Huggett, the oscillators on the Mantis are digital and generated at boot up using complex mathematics. The ultrastable DSP chip provides ultimate control without sacrificing their unique sound.

• Two oscillators per voice (four total) plus one sub-oscillator per voice
• Selectable sine, triangle, sawtooth, and pulse-width modulation (square)
• Shape control and shape modulation input
• Pitch modulation control
• Octave selection per oscillator 
• Oscillator drift function for producing random pitch variations between oscillators

The filters used in the Mantis are multimode, variable-state, voltage-controlled filters that are all analog and based upon customized SSI 2164 chips, specially configured by Chris Huggett. Each voice gets its own VCF.

• Low-pass, band-pass, and high-pass types with 12 and 24 dB slopes
• Additional WBAND (series) and WSTOP (parallel) dual-filter types
• Filter cutoff, cutoff modulation, and resonance control
• Filter width, width modulation, and keytrack control
• Analog overdrive control for organic warmth and aggression 

Mantis has two ADSR envelopes, but these envelopes are not your standard ADSR. They also feature a unique Sustain Fall parameter that allows you to create a drop before release, even while holding a key down, for greater sound-design possibilities. Each envelope can also be put into repeat mode to act as a pseudo LFO.

You also get two LFOs with four waveshape options per oscillator. The LFOs are completely syncable to the MIDI clock and provide you with rate control, six modulation parameters, modulation scale control, and a fade-in / fade-out parameter.

Keeping with the current trends in the synthesizer world, the Mantis comes loaded with high-quality DSP effects for onboard processing, allowing you to liven up any patch. This includes programmable reverb and chorus effects. Reverb provides time and level adjustment as well as high- and low-pass filters that can be switched in to limit unwanted mud and/or higher-frequency bouncing twinkles.

All of the Mantis functions are easily controllable from the full-featured interface, which sports 58 rotary knobs, 59 buttons, and a multifunctional joystick that makes it easy to manipulate a wide array of features, from modulation to arpeggiation, in real time. The keyboard is smooth, semiweighted, and unlike most other synthesizers in this class, loaded with aftertouch support.

• 37 full-size keys with semiweighted action, velocity sensitivity, and channel aftertouch support
• Joystick for realtime control of numerous functions
• Dedicated octave-shift buttons
• Easy button selection of 8 different filter configurations
• Tap tempo button for arpeggiator

Finally, the Mantis has enough connections to handle most stage or studio applications. With versatile MIDI functionality, USB connectivity, and full-fledged pedal support, you will be performing expressive synthesizer licks in no time.

• 1/4" mono or stereo line output
• Separate sustain (switched) and expression (continuous) pedal inputs
• Powerful 1/4" headphone output for silent playing and programming
• 5-pin DIN MIDI input, output, and thru connectors 
• USB-C port for host connection, MIDI sync, and optional bus power
• Kensignton security slot keeps your keyboard safe during a gig

PWM PWM MantisSpecs

Sound Generation	Analog/Digital Hybrid
Keyboard	37 Full-Size Keys with Semi-Weighted Action
Touch Sensitivity	No
Expression Controls	1x Joystick
Number of Sounds, Kits, or Samples	100x Factory Sound Preset 100x User Sound Preset
Maximum Polyphony	Duophonic
Performance Functions	Arpeggiator, Octave Shift, Tuning Adjustment
Audio I/O	2x 1/4" Line Output (1 Stereo Pair) 1x 1/4" TRS Stereo Headphone Output
Pedal Support	1x 1/4" Footswitch/Sustain (Pedal Not Included) 1x 1/4" Expression (Pedal Not Included)
MIDI I/O	1x DIN 5-Pin Input 1x DIN 5-Pin Output 1x DIN 5-Pin Thru
USB I/O	1x USB-C (Bus Power, Host Connection, MIDI)

Item Type	Keyboard Synth
Sound Generation	Analog/Digital Hybrid
Keyboard	37 Full-Size Keys with Semi-Weighted Action
Touch Sensitivity	No
Aftertouch	Channel/Mono Aftertouch
Expression Controls	1x Joystick
Transport Controls	No
Display	No

Number of Sounds, Kits, or Samples	100x Factory Sound Preset 100x User Sound Preset
Number of Song Presets	No
Maximum Polyphony	Duophonic
Multitimbrality	1-Part (Monotimbral)
Built-In Effects	3x Reverb: Reverb (Standard), Reverb (With High-Pass Filter), Reverb (With Low-Pass Filter) 1x Modulation: Chorus
Performance Functions	Arpeggiator, Octave Shift, Tuning Adjustment
Built-In Speaker	No

Oscillators	2x Variable (Sawtooth, Sine, Square, Triangle) 1x Fixed Sub
Mixer	Oscillator, Noise, Ring Modulation (Level, Panning, Filter Routing)
Envelopes	2x Assignable Envelope Generator per Voice: Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release (Loopable)
Filters	Number of Filters: 2 per Patch Characteristic: Analog SSI 2164 Chip Type: Multi-Filter Slope: 2-Pole/12 dB (LPF) / 2-Pole/12 dB (HPF) / 2-Pole/12 dB (BPF) / 4-Pole/24 dB (LPF) / 4-Pole/24 dB (HPF) / 4-Pole/24 dB (BPF) Key Tracking: Yes Controls: Cutoff, Resonance, Drive, FM
LFOs	Number of LFOs: 2 Controls/Modes: Clock Sync, Rate/Frequency, Fade Time
Modulation Matrix	6-Slot per Voice (6 Sources / 6 Destinations)
Glide/Portamento	Yes

Sequencer	No
Arpeggiator	Yes

Audio I/O	2x 1/4" Line Output (1 Stereo Pair) 1x 1/4" TRS Stereo Headphone Output
Pedal Support	1x 1/4" Footswitch/Sustain (Pedal Not Included) 1x 1/4" Expression (Pedal Not Included)
MIDI I/O	1x DIN 5-Pin Input 1x DIN 5-Pin Output 1x DIN 5-Pin Thru
CV/Gate I/O	No
Patch Points	No
Sync I/O	No
Network I/O	No
USB I/O	1x USB-C (Bus Power, Host Connection, MIDI)
Media/Memory Card Slot	No
Bluetooth	No

Included Software	No
Mobile App Compatible	No
Required Hardware	USB Cable
Internet Connection	Required for Registration

Power Requirements	AC/DC Power Adapter (Included), USB Bus Power
AC/DC Power Adapter	9 VDC at 600 mA (Included)
Current Consumption	600 mA (AC/DC Power Adapter)

Color	Black / Green
Included Accessories	USB Cable
Dimensions	24.4 x 12.6 x 4.3" / 62 x 32 x 11 cm
Weight	11.7 lb / 5.3 kg

Package Weight	15.515 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)	30.9 x 15.6 x 7.5"