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PWM Mantis Duophonic Hybrid Analog/Digital Synthesizer

BH #PWMMNTS • MFR #PWM-MNTS
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PWM Mantis Duophonic Hybrid Analog/Digital Synthesizer
Key Features
  • Based on EDP WASP Synth & Huggett Filter
  • 37 Full-Size Keys, Velocity & Aftertouch
  • 2 Digital Oscillators plus Sub per Voice
  • Two Analog Multimode VCFs with Overdrive
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.
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PWM PWM Mantis Overview

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.

Oscillators, Inspired by the WASP
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
Two Analog Voltage-Controlled Filters
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 
Dedicated Envelopes and Modulation
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.

Built-In FX
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.
Pro-Quality Keyboard and Controls
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
Fully Connected
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 Mantis Specs

Key Specs
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
1/4" / 1/4" Headphone
Pedal Support
1x 1/4" Footswitch/Sustain
1x 1/4" Expression
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)
General
Synth Type
Keyboard Synth
Kit Components
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
Sounds
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
Synthesis
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
Glide/Portamento
Yes
Sequencing & Recording
Sequencer
No
Arpeggiator
Yes
Media/Memory Card Slot
No
Connectivity
Audio I/O
2x 1/4" Line Output (1 Stereo Pair)
1x 1/4" TRS 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)
Bluetooth
No
Power
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)
Physical
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
Packaging Info
Package Weight
15.515 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
30.9 x 15.6 x 7.5"

PWM PWM Mantis Reviews

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