PWM proclaims Mantis as the successor to the iconic OSCar, with the V2 update incorporating the authentic wavetables from the legendary synth.
The PWM Mantis V2, a synthesizer co-created by Paul Whittington and the late Chris Huggett, is making waves in the music industry with its impressive upgrades and modern features. The V2 update positions the Mantis as the "next generation" of the iconic OSCar synth, while honouring and building on its legacy.
Expanded Polyphony and Oscillator Architecture
The Mantis V2 moves from duophonic (2 voices) to 4-voice polyphony, each voice having two oscillators, a sub oscillator, and a detune oscillator, totaling up to 16 oscillators available simultaneously. This significant expansion allows for more complex and layered sounds, opening up a world of creative possibilities for musicians.
Digital Waveform Palette and Hybrid Architecture
The Mantis V2 offers the original OSCar’s digital waveform palette and character but improves upon it with modern processing and flexibility. The hybrid architecture of the Mantis blends digital and analog elements, inheriting the digital waveform manipulation hallmark of the OSCar but expanding with contemporary capabilities.
Nine original OSCar preset waveforms, such as 'Organ', 'Harpsichord', 'Double Pulse', 'Strong Lead', and the distinctive 'High-Density' waveform, have been included in the Mantis V2, bringing the classic OSCar character directly into the Mantis.
Additional Features
The Mantis V2 is equipped with an arpeggiator within 6 octaves, auto glide mode, ring modulator, and Auto Clock Sync. It also boasts digital effects (reverb, delay), MIDI In/Out/Thru, sustain and controller pedal connection, USB-C to Host, stereo line output, stereo headphone output, and dimensions of 620x320x110mm with a weight of 5.3kg.
The synth features 37 full-size velocity-sensitive keys and a multifunction joystick, two LFOs, and one OSC Drift. Notably, PWM is running a special offer for the Mantis V2 update, where any new purchase of the Mantis will include a copy of GForce's impOSCar 3 plugin.
Availability and Price
The PWM Mantis V2 is currently available for purchase at Andertons for £769, which is almost 50% off the original RRP. The OSC brand was acquired by PWM last year, marking the beginning of this exciting new chapter in the world of synthesizers.
The EDP Wasp and OSC OSCar, cult classics in the monosynth/duophonic synth realm, have paved the way for the Mantis V2, with its aggressive hybrid digital-analog sound and distinctive waveforms. The Mantis V2 is a testament to the legacy of these iconic synths, offering a modern take that is versatile, powerful, and true to its roots.
[1] Information sourced from the PWM website.
The PWM Mantis V2, with its expanded polyphony and oscillator architecture, opens up a world of creative possibilities in music, allowing for more complex and layered sounds. It also offers a digital waveform palette and hybrid architecture, blending digital and analog elements, much like how technology merges with our modern lifestyle and entertainment.
The Mantis V2's additional features such as an arpeggiator, ring modulator, and digital effects create a versatile instrument that adds excitement to the realm of music, much like how the latest developments in technology contribute to the evolution of our entertainment industry.
