The legendary OSCar company is now part of PWM, and Chris Hugget’s almost forgotten ASG polyphonic OSCar could become a reality.
PWM Mantis is a hybrid Synthesizer and the last project of the late legendary developer Chris Huggett, creator of the Wasp and OSCar synthesizers. In January, there was a surprise. Chris Huggett’s company and brand live on after his death.
Paul Whittington, head of PWM, announced that they won the rights and trademark to the OSCar brand and that it is now part of their group. This means that the name remains in British synth hands.
OSCar PWM
It is unknown whether new products will be launched under the name, but one can speculate, especially after the Synth East 2025 event.
The Wasp, the OSCar, and the Novation Peak are among Chris Huggett’s most famous synthesizers. What has been forgotten, however, is that the British developer worked on a very prestigious instrument before he ceased operation and joined Akai.
The OSC Advanced Sound Generator (ASG) was a kind of polyphonic OSCar Synthesizer that existed only once in the world. The project was never completed, and the synth never came to the market because the company lacked the financing to realize it.
Check out the article from Muzines that looks at the synth’s story in more detail.
PWM ASG?
Paul Whittington of PWM, who now owns OSCar, brought the ASG Synthesizer to Synth East 2025. This was the first time the ASG had been shown to the public since its premiere at the Frankfurt Music Fair in 1985. That is now 40 years.
One can speculate whether PWM will revive the OSCar brand and whether they will finalize Chris Huggett’s polysynth plans. Of course, not in this bulky, unsexy form as the prototype and not with the same name.
As we know, Behringer is working on an OSCar synth clone. So, I can’t imagine PWM planning a parallel reboot of this legendary instrument.
If they decide to bring the company back, I could imagine that they will tackle the ASG project and take it to the modern. So, an OSCar with full polyphony and more features which was the concept of the never-released OSC Advanced Sound Generator.
We can be excited to see what PWM does with Chris Huggett’s legacy OSCar. This prototype could be an indication of where things are headed. Let’s see. And keep in mind, these are just wild speculations based on these bits and bops of news.
More information here: PWM
Just last night, the ASG and OSCar crossed my mind. Great!
I was offered an OSCar back in the 80s, but couldn’t afford it. The guy who owned it lived about 100 metres from the mailing address for the Oxford Synthesiser Company.