SUPERBOOTH 25: PWM Mantis

video upload by Sound On Sound magazine

"Paul of PWM talks us through their acquisition of the OSCar brand, an upcoming update for the Mantis, and a sneak preview of their new digital synth."

BlaknBlu Oscar Tria Stereo VCO Review

video upload by Molten Music Technology

"The triple featured Oscar Tria offers regular waveforms, swarming oscillations and polyphonic chord modes within a Eurorack, CV-controlled context. The stereo format offers some lovely detuning and there's some superb morphing between the waveforms. It's built on a digital platform but has a very analogue sound and workflow. Let's get into it."

Index:
Sound demo - 0:00
Intro - 4:57
Overview - 9:34
Green Mode - VCO - 12:29
Yellow Mode - Swarm - 24:32
Orange Mode - Chord - 33:45
FM - 42:16
Noodling - 46:27
Running it in Mono - 51:37
Conclusions - 56:42

"Oscar Tria packs a lot of VCO into 10HP. There are three main modes described below.

Green Mode:
A ‘traditional’ stereo oscillator. In Green Mode you get the usual three waveforms – saw, triangle and square (with variable pulse width, of course) but you can continuously vary the waveform between the three. For instance, by turning the waveform knob to be just to the saw side of triangle, you get a sound very much like the Minimoog’s ‘shark tooth’.
Green mode also gives you a square wave sub oscillator – one octave below the main oscillators – and a sub sub, two octaves below.
Oscar Tria is stereo, of course, so you can detune one oscillator for a rich stereo image – or sum the two outputs to mono and you have two oscillators with two subs, for a BIG sound.
Green mode also features through zero FM, and hard sync.

Yellow Mode:
Super-saw! And super-square! And super-triangle! With a sub (of course). Yellow mode allows you to control the number of oscillators making up the super-whatever, from one (not really super) to 24! Again, being stereo you get up to 12 oscillators in one channel and 12 in the other. Add the sub for a HUGE sound.

Orange Mode:
This is a chord engine, with 20 selectable chords. There are controls to select which chord you want and how many notes are played (over two octaves). CV control allows you to set pitch and chord independently, so you can set up a polyphonic sequence, for instance. Again, the output is stereo with detune control of one output."

OSCar - Ableton Live & Kontakt Pack by Cluster Sound

video upload by Isotonik Studios

"The OSCar Kontakt & Ableton Live Pack brings the raw, aggressive sound of the ultra-rare British synthesizer from the '80s. Featuring dual DCOs, analog filters, and overdrive, this synth can produce everything from dark drones to brutal basses, distorted keys, and screaming leads. Perfect for creating bold, edgy sounds with its unique personality, far beyond typical software simulations.

Kontakt:
Primus synthesizer included
90 selectable waveforms

Ableton Live:
90 Synth Devices
6 Macro Control Templates
Device preview playback
Direct install into 'Packs' section

AVAILABLE HERE: https://isotonikstudios.com/product/o..."

0:00 Electrified Key
0:07 Scraggy Organ
0:15 Drilled Clavikey
0:22 Electro Harpsi
0:30 Colored Organ
0:37 Pwm Hipass
0:45 Cacoph Keyorg
0:52 Double Triangle

Oxford Synthesizer Co. OSCar

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this VEMIA listing

Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.

VEMIA is Peter Forrest's auction house. He is the author of The A-Z of Analogue Synthesizer Books.

"OSCar Synthesizer. Factory Midi, Fully serviced in 2024 plus battery mod (remoting from board) Factory patches reinstalled. Latest M2 version. No issues. Superb condition, Level keys with no yellowing. All rubber sections in perfect condition. Small marks to program section otherwise would class the synth as Near mint. Sounds amazing."

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PWM Mantis Hybrid-Analog Duophonic Synthesizer

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this listing

"Born out of collaboration between PWM and the late Chris Huggett, Mantis draws from the legacy of synthesizers like the Wasp and OSCar, but with modern refinements and performance. Blending sounds and techniques built over the years designing instruments for the likes of EDP and Novation, Huggett's final designs went into Mantis, and through some touch-up work and adding powerful MIDI capabilities, PWM brought Mantis to market to honor Huggett's legacy.

As a duophonic instrument, Mantis contains two independent voices—beginning with digital oscillators that are then processed through an entirely analog signal path, alongside a digital effects section. Mantis features mathematically-generated oscillators, running on their own DSP chip for maximum performance and quality. There are two oscillators per voice, plus a sub-oscillator, meaning that you can dial in a blended variety of tones as you see fit.

Possibly the star of the show on Mantis is the unique VCF design, utilizing a unique configuration devised by Huggett. Based on SSI2164 VCA chips, the multi-mode filters in each voice may be controlled simultaneously in series or parallel configurations, with a width control similar to what was found on the OSCar. This leads to a distinctive array of sonic potential, helping Mantis stand out from the pack.

Like other PWM synthesizers, Mantis features incredible digital control capabilities, including MIDI CC control over all parameters. Mantis is a modern synthesizer for the modern day, and a fitting tribute to the legacy of Chris Huggett's work."

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Custom Patches for Novation Summit synthesizer - Dirty & noisy pads and soundscapes - No talking!

video upload by copenhagennoiselab

"Playing through 38 presets I have made for my Novation Summit... I bought the Summit after a few years with the Novation Peak. And while I have kept the Peak, I hav not used it since. All in all, this used to be my favorite synthesizer. It can be clean, and it can be nasty and everything in between. It is quick to work with, and it has that snappy character if needed.

The best thing about it is likely that it plays well in a context with other instruments - I usually turn it on as a drone or an arpeggio playing while playing piano. It works great. I feel like Nils Frahm or Hania Rani instantly... ;)

Anyway. The Arpeggiator on this thing is the best I ever used...

If you are interesting in getting the patches, please let me know, and we can likely work something out.

If you want some custom written soundtracks, get hold of me.

Anyway. If you like the sounds, please click like and subscribe or leave a comment. It means a lot to me. :)

There is no external processing going on, so the only FX you hear is the diffusion delay that is built in.

#novation #novationmusic #novationsummit #novationpeak #peak #summit #synthesizer #polyphonic #ambient #soundscape #patches #synthsounds #analog #analogsynthesizer #analogsynth #synth #synthesiser #analoguesynth #matrixsynth #demo #vcf #chrishugget #oscar #arpeggio #arpeggiator #compenhagennoiselab #custompatches #patches"

Spitfire Audio - Spitfire Symphony Orchestra Solo Strings Update

video upload by Spitfire Audio

"Spitfire Audio announces update to significant SPITFIRE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA release recorded at AIR, adding three stunning-sounding soloists

LONDON, UK: Spitfire Audio is proud to announce availability of an update to its significant SPITFIRE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA release — relatively recently relaunched with reviewed content and an updated UI (User Interface) in a single more user-friendly package that became last year’s bestseller as a set of flagship virtual instruments featuring full SYMPHONIC STRINGS, SYMPHONIC BRASS, and SYMPHONIC WOODWINDS sections (including solo instruments, plus harp, piano, and all core elements of percussion needed to complete the band), beautifully performed by top-tier musicians who have featured on some of the top film scores of the last decade, duly captured in Lyndhurst Hall’s hallowed acoustic at London’s legendary AIR Studios as some of the leading sounds and sample libraries creator’s best, most classic recordings, readily realised as a definitive selection of blockbuster sounds that have already made their musical mark in hundreds of AAA film, game, and TV score productions by the world’s top composers and music- makers — with the welcomed addition of SOLO STRINGS, featuring three stunning-sounding soloists, as of February 6…

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What's REALLY the Best Era for Synthesizers?

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
video uploads by Vincent Presley

Found the above in the listing for the Moog Sonic Six further below.

"Breaking down the last 50+ years of synthesis into 6 eras and finding what era is really the best.
Everybody likes different stuff so hopes this is somewhat useful to people."

Playlist including the list of synths:

1. What’s REALLY the best era for synthesizers? Part 1: 1970 - 1978

00:00 - Incoherent Rambling
09:07 - Polymoog & Sonic VI| 11:13 - CS30
12:15 - SH1000
13:07 - Odyssey & Avatar
14:19 - CS15
15:30 - Cat
16:58 - Roland 101 / Maxikorg / Crumar
20:14 - Moogs & ARP

2. What’s REALLY the best era for synthesizers? Part 2: 1979-1983

00:00 - incoherent rambling
08:15 - Mono/Poly & Polivoks
10:55 - CS40M
14:02 - Pro One
15:55 - Trident
17:49 - Juno 60
19:30 - SK50D
21:02 - OSCar

3. What’s REALLY the best era for synthesizers? Part 3: 1984-1986

00:00 - Incoherent Rambling
14:59 - Crumar Bitone
16:13 - Korg DSS1
21:54 - Kawai K3 by VC
23:42 - Matrix 6 by VC
25:36 - Akai AX60 by VC

4. What’s REALLY the best era for synthesizers? Part 4: 1987-1994

00:00 - longest unfocused ramble
22:24 - SQ80
24:56 - SY77
27:30 - SD1
30:43 - Wavestation
35:18 - JD800

And the Moog Sonic Six via this listing

"Beautiful 50 year old Moog that can do things no other Moog can do. It's the only Duophonic Moog! You can set one osc as low note and one to high note for duophonic playing, set it as a mono synth, or even change the scaling of the high osc for microtonal playing. This Moog has the same oscillators and filter as the Minimoog Model D but instead of the Mini's third osc that doubles as it's only lfo, the S6 has TWO dedicated LFOs that can have separate wave shapes and rates and can be modulated by the eg! Modulation craziness. This Moog also has TWO amps! One signal goes through the filter, as usual, but there is a second amp that bipasses the filter. This means you can have a high resonance sweeping filter sound going (which kills all low end on every Moog) but you can beef it back up with the dry out amp. I've had most Moogs and think this is by far the best and most powerful Moog. I passed on a Minimoog for only 3k years ago and sold my Multimoog when I got my first S6. Everything works. Tuning and scaling was just adjusted and it's working great. I barely play it and have some studio changes in mind so it's on the chopping block. Sold as-is. No returns and I am not responsible for any guts getting shaken during shipping. It's 50 years old and it's in excellent shape for that age. Tuning and calibration info can be found online if you need it after shipping. Also considering selling the Polymoog 203a seen in the photos which is also fully functional and includes the rare Polypedals. A little demo video of the two can be seen in the link. The S6 tune drift in the video is actually a slow LFO and not just drifting. Also the video was done before I tweaked the scaling pots inside."

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Oberheim OB 6 & OB X8

video upload by Oscar Rivas

Quick Time - short Arp fun with OSCar, Boss DR110, microrack. From the Analogue Solutions studio

video upload by Analogue Solutions

"Quick Time - short Arp fun with OSCar, Boss DR110, Boss microrack. From the Analogue Solutions studio"

Oxford Oscar Analog Synth - Trance - MikeSynth

video upload by Mikus Pilatus

"Showing off that filter growl - not really sure what genre this is TBF"

Oxford Oscar analog synth + Roland R8 = Underworld REZ

video upload by Mikus Pilatus

"My quick 5min hack at recreating one of my favourite tracks from the 90’s"

Dave Spiers 30 year journey with OSCar

video upload by GForce Software

"Dave Spiers, co-founder of GForce Software, reminisces about a 30-year relationship with one of his favourite synthesisers and his friendship with the late Chris Huggett."

Rare Oxford Oscar Synth + MPC - dark techno - MikeSynth

video upload by Mikus Pilatus

Oxford Synthesizer Company OSCar Analog Monophonic Synth w/ Dust Cover

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this listing

Additional Retro Gear Shop Listings

"vintage Oxford Synthesizer Company OSCar 37-key monophonic / duophonic programmable analog synthesizer keyboard with midi. It also includes a very nice quality dust cover. The synth is in great shape for its age, tested and fully functional. We did some light servicing on it as needed and it's ready to go. This is one of the coolest sounding vintage mono synths out there, with a wide array of sounds, aggressive filter, unique oscillators, and loads of advanced features for its time such as programmable patches, custom waveforms and sequencer. It's also a very cool look that is unlike any other synth ever made. Battery tests good and it's been loaded with factory preset patches."

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PWM Mantis Quick Look

video upload by Starsky Carr

"WASP - OSCAR - MANTIS. From original thoughts of Chris Huggett, PWM and he worked together on his final designs before his untimely death. PWM have realised his vision plus some extras like the ability to play 4 voices (quad paraphonic) on what was originally a duophonic idea. ... I think!

The PWM Mantis is a unique synth .. a bit like a vintage synth being brought to the market in the 21st century. I say almost like a vintage because it does have all the modern features you'd expect."

Oxford Synthesizer Company OSCar

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this listing

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Oxford Synthesizer Company OSCar w Upgraded Tauntek MIDI and Firmware SN 0616L

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this listing

"Recently serviced, calibrated, upgraded with the Tauntek MIDI and firmware, vastly expanding this rare synthesizer's ability to be edited via MIDI, expanding on functions, and increasing reliability. The battery's been replaced, pots cleaned, and more. I've owned and babied this OSCar for about 25 years."

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Behringer Teases PolyOSC - A Polyphonic OSCar

via Behringer

"Once upon a time, the OSCar synthesizer was born—a groundbreaking instrument crafted by the Oxford Synthesiser Company between 1983 and 1985. Ahead of its time in many ways, the OSCar was one of the few mono-synths of its era to feature MIDI, making it a sought-after tool for musicians. With only around 2,000 units produced, it became a cult classic known for its distinctive sound and innovative design.

Fast forward to today, and we’ve taken inspiration from this iconic synth to develop the POLYOsc prototype. This modern version builds on the legacy of the OSCar, incorporating many additional features while staying true to the original’s spirit. However, whether the POLYOsc will move from prototype to production is still undecided. That’s where you come in. We’re looking to the community for feedback to help us determine if the POLYOsc should become a reality. Your thoughts and input are essential in guiding this decision, and we invite you to share your opinions with us. Let’s continue the OSCar’s legacy together."

P.S. The bottom pic appears to be taken from this listing.

GODSPEar OSCar Filter Translation | British Tribute Riffs [Demo #3]

video upload by gstormelectro

"Audio + Video produced by G-Storm Electro c. 2024

GODSPEar is my homage to the Oxford OSCar filter in Eurorack format. Time to enjoy a dual voice setup w/ musical contexts featuring a few riffs inspired by British synth royalty.

Check my Reverb store for GODSPEar and other module availability
http://reverb.com/shop/gstormelectro"

G-Storm Electro:
*BLOG* http://gstormelectronica.blogspot.com/
*LISTEN/DOWNLOAD* http://soundcloud.com/gstormelectro
**REVERB** http://reverb.com/shop/gstormelectro