PWM Instruments Mantis Duophonic 37-Key Hybrid Synthesizer Keyboard

The PWM Instruments Mantis Duophonic hybrid-analog synthesizer is a collaboration between the late Chris Huggett (Gnat, WASP, OSCar) and PWM. In development over the last period of his life, Huggett threw everything he could into the Mantis. Although incomplete when he passed away, he handed his part of the project over to Paul Whittington to see what could be made of it.

Oscillators
The OSCs are generated at boot up using complex mathematics. They run on a DSP chip that gives ultimate stability and control without compromising the unique sound. This is what makes the synth a hybrid; however, everything after that through the mixer, gain staging and the filter is analog.

VCF
The Filter is a multi-mode state variable VCA Filter with overdrive. It’s built using the SSI2164 chip in special configuration designed by Chris Huggett. There are two filters—one for each analog signal path. They can be combined in series or parallel and used with the width control and width modulation to create that distinctive sound only heard on the OSCar.

FX
The Mantis has two simple digital effects: Reverb and Chorus. Reverb has a time and level adjustment but also a high- and low-pass filter that can be switched in to limit unwanted lower mud and/or higher bouncy twinkles.

Envelopes
The Mantis has two ADSR envelopes but each has an additional Sustain Fall parameter and negative and positive velocity modulation level hardwired for convenience. Sustain Fall allows you to create a drop before release even while a key is held for greater sound design possibilities. Each envelope can also be put into repeat mode to act as a pseudo LFO if you wish.

VCA
The gain staging on Mantis is all-analog and is run through the SSI2164 VCAs. The signal is twice amplified to ensure the overdriven sound is warm and clips naturally.

The Mantis includes a power supply (9V 600mA), USB-C lead and getting started guide.