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Obelisk Manual

Installing Obelisk

Simply run the installer application and follow the instructions. Obelisk is currently available as a VST2 (for Windows and Mac), and Logic X AU plugin (for Mac). If you use Logic X as your DAW then use the AU version, for any other DAW use the VST version.

Extra info: The AU version of Obelisk is designed for Logic X. It will not work with Logic 9 or lower. It also is not guaranteed to work in other DAWs aside from Logic X. For these other DAWs, it is recommended that you use the VST version instead. Obelisk works as a MIDI FX in Logic and is opened in the MIDI FX slot on the mixer tracks.

See also: Changelog

Connecting Obelisk to a Synth

VST: The way that Obelisk is connected to a synth is different for each DAW. Obelisk needs to receive MIDI input and needs to be routed to output MIDI into something else. There is an separate instructions page showing how to set up Obelisk in some of the popular DAWs.

Logic X: In logic, Obelisk is opened as a MIDI FX plugin in your instrument mixer tracks.

Top Section

  • The menu button shows a selection of options. As will all controls, a tool tip will appear explaining them when hovering the cursor over each.
    • GUI size - lets you set the size of the GUI. This setting is global to all instances of Obelisk.
    • GUI theme - lets you set the colour scheme of the GUI. This setting is global to all instances of Obelisk.
    • Default constrain search down - subtly changes the constraining algorithm. When shifting a note to fit into the constrained scale, the algorithm will try to match intervals of the same type. For example if the interval is a third, it will always try to keep third (either major or minor) if that is allowed. If there is no obvious way it should be shifted (for example a tritone), then this option is taken into account. When set to search down, the note will be shifted down to the next available interval (for example tritone to 4th), else it will be shifted up (tritone to 5th).
    • Repeated notes retrigger - when there is a note that is already down, that is pressed down again, should the note retrigger (send a note-off message followed by a note-on), or just sustain the notes. Sustaining usually works nicely for pad type sound, while retrigger usually works better for sharp sounds.
    • Show interval names - toggles the text on the note picker GUI.
    • Always show key and scale on keyboard GUI - Toggles whether the key and scale should be always shown, or if not whether only when constrain is on.
    • Toggle whether tooltips should appear after hovering on a control for a moment.
    • Set all keyswitches macro - a handy way of setting all the keyswitches to a range that is useful to you.
    • Third-party licences - text and licences related the third party tools used to help make Obelisk.
    • About - description of Obelisk.
  • Edit user scales shows a menu allowing you to pick the exact interval and names of the custom scales.
  • Load preset shows a menu for loading an .obelisk file from your computer.
  • Save preset opens a dialog box allowing you to pick a name and location to save the current state of Obelisk to a .obelisk file.
  • The midi channel selector can be dragged vertically to select which midi channel Obelisk should output to.
  • ON button - this switch will bypass all of Obelisk's MIDI generation, meaning notes will pass through the plugin unchanged. This can be automated.

The 4 Slots

Obelisk consists of 4 identical slots, only 1 channel can be active at a time. Having multiple slots allows you to easily change between chords, keys and scales as you play. The ON switch on the left of each is used to select which slot is currently active. This can also be done with keyswitches. Just right of the PRESETS button is a keyswitch icon, this can be toggled on and off. When on, when the key is pressed (set by the control just right of the button), this slot will become active. The second ON switch will turn on the constraining algorithm. When on all output from this slot will be constrained to the key and scale set by the 2 knobs just next to it.

Note Picker

Each slot has its own chord picker, this is shown on the right of the GUI. The chord picker shows the chord for the current active slot. This is the interface that you use to select the intervals that you want to harmonise the input with. This is simply done by clicking on the notes that you want. Active notes are highlighted blue. If you select no notes, there will be no output from Obelisk.

Keyboard

The GUI keyboard shows you lots of information about the MIDI input and output of Obelisk. The range that you want to show can be chosen with the left and right arrows either side. In the picture below the bottom 3 white notes are highlighted in a dull blue. This is to indicate that they are keyswitches. You will also note that throughout the whole keyboard some notes are slightly coloured. This shows the current key and scale that you have selected. Right above the keyboard is the area where the notes that you play into Obelisk are shown. You can see a small marker above the G4 in this image. The bright blue notes show the output of Obelisk.

Custom Scales

Obelisk has the option for you to create custom scales. This is done by just selecting the intervals that you want using the buttons in the menu. These custom scales are available from all of the 4 slots. They can be found as the last 4 options of the scale knob. As well as vertically dragged, the scale sliders can be right clicked which will bring up a menu.