PWM Mantis Synthesizer In-Depth Review


Host Ziv Eliraz – in his latest loopop video – takes an in-depth look at the PWM Mantis synthesizer, a spiritual successor to the EDP Wasp.

The Mantis is a collaboration between the late Chris Hugget (Gnat, Wasp, Oscar) and Paul Whittington of PWM.


Topics covered:

0:00 Intro

1:30 Overview

3:40 Build

5:00 Malevolent

5:35 I/O

6:00 Osc shapes

8:40 Oscillator 2

9:55 Sub & drift

10:50 Mixer

12:00 Shift’n’mix

12:30 12db filters

14:05 Width

14:50 Stereo

15:35 Duophony

16:30 24db modes

17:00 Drive

19:00 Band, Notch

20:45 Pings

21:30 Effects

23:30 Mod routes

25:35 LFOs

27:30 Envelopes

28:45 Quad mode

31:50 Arp

33:05 Misc

34:05 Pros, cons

38:15 Sounds!

Watch the video and share your thoughts on the Mantis in the comments!

 

 

Moog Labyrinth Parallel Generative Analog Synthesizer Hands-On Demo


Synthesist Doug Llewellyn shared this overview and hands-on demo of the new Moog Labyrinth Parallel Generative Analog Synthesizer.

The Moog Labyrinth is the latest in the company’s line of all-in-one Eurorack format modular synthesizers. While we have not seen an official introduction for the Labyrinth from Moog, yet, the new synth has already shown up at several online retailers, and in the hands of some early users.

Another set of videos, from VM:

Moog Labyrinth Audio Demo:

Watch the videos and share your thoughts on the Moog Labyrinth in the comments!

Live Performance On Eurorack Modular Synthesizer


Synthesist and author (Patch & Tweak) Chris Meyer shared this live modular performance of Nightfall: Kyiv.

The performance was recorded at Citizen Vinyl in Asheville, North Carolina as part of a fundraising event for the Moogseum. It includes samples of the Moogseum’s vintage modular Moog synthesizer as part of the bass line.

What Meyer says about his performance:

“The idea for this piece came when Maks Histibe of Mask Movement in Kyiv, Ukraine contacted me. As part of the invasion of Ukraine, their power grid is often knocked offline, and he was looking to raise money for solar panels and batteries to keep his studio operating. To do this, he created a series of field recordings of the war and life during wartime in Ukraine, and crafted them into a virtual instrument called Swords to Ploughshares.

I gladly purchased it, and used it as the basis for this song, which flows from the realities of life during wartime to attempting to lead a normal, happy life…only for the war to intrude, and drag people back in. A version of this song will appear on my summer 2024 release: Finite Space.”

What Meyer shared about the technical details:

Chris Meyer: “Pandora’s Box” plus vintage Moog modular synthesizers, Ableton Live, Korg Wavestation, Frozen Plain Terracotta, Luftrum Bioscape, Soundiron Circle Bells, Synapse Audio Dune 3

Maks Histibe: field recordings of the war in Ukraine (courtesy of Soundiron/Swords to Ploughshares)

Cory Friesenhan & She Who Shall Not Be Named: vocal atmospheres (courtesy of Black Octopus Sound)

Special thanks to Daniel Liston Keller for the live video switching.