PWM heralds Mantis as the successor to the legendary OSCar, with version 2 update incorporating authentic wavetables from the iconic synthesizer.
The PWM Mantis, a synthesizer co-created by Paul Whittington and the late Chris Huggett, is a spiritual successor to Huggett's cult classic synths, particularly the Wasp and OSCar. This modern instrument combines the distinct sonic characters of these legendary synthesizers, paying tribute to Huggett's design legacy.
The Mantis was Huggett's final synth project before he passed away in 2020. PWM acquired the Oxford Synthesiser Company (OSC) brand in early 2025, paving the way for the Mantis to carry forward the legacy of the OSCar. The OSCar is known for its distinctive hybrid digital-analog sound design and unique wavetables, which the Mantis integrates.
The V2 firmware update, released in August 2025, significantly enhanced the Mantis to position it as the "next generation of OSCar." Key features added include nine original OSCar wavetables such as 'Organ', 'Harpsichord', 'Double Pulse', 'Strong Lead', and the jagged 'High-Density' waveform, enriching the Mantis’s sound palette. The update also expands the synth's polyphony from duophonic to four-voice polyphony, each voice now incorporating two oscillators, a sub oscillator, and a detune oscillator, totaling up to 16 oscillators active simultaneously.
The Mantis is a hybrid instrument with digital oscillators running through dual multi-mode, state-variable analog filters. It features a multimode VCA Filter with Low Pass, Band Pass, High Pass options in both 12 dB and 24 dB. The Mantis also boasts a multifunction joystick, 2 LFOs, 1 OSC Drift, an arpeggiator within 6 octaves, auto glide mode, a ring modulator, Auto Clock Sync, 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. It weighs 5.3kg and has 37 full-size velocity-sensitive keys.
The PWM Mantis has received praise for its versatility, with reviews describing it as a "decent-sounding and flexible" instrument. It offers up to 200 sounds, including 100 factory presets and 100 user presets. The Mantis V2 special offer includes a copy of GForce's impOSCar 3 plugin. Currently, the Mantis V2 is available for purchase at Andertons for £769, which is almost 50% off the original RRP.
In summary, the PWM Mantis is a modern homage to the iconic OSCar and Wasp synthesizers, carrying forward their sound and architecture into the present day. The V2 firmware update notably adds authentic OSCar waveforms and expands polyphony, elevating the Mantis to a true successor in the lineage of these influential synthesizers.
[1] PWM Mantis Official Website [2] PWM Mantis V2 Firmware Update Announcement
- The PWM Mantis, with its digital oscillators and analog filters, showcases the fusion of modern technology and classic gadgets, following in the footsteps of the OSCar and Wasp synthesizers.
- The versatile PWM Mantis, equipped with a multifunction joystick, multiple LFOs, and digital effects, demonstrates the integration of advanced technology and timeless gadget design, embodying a new generation of iconic synthesizers.
