4.3/5 stars (197 reviews) • Effects / Multi-Effect

Obsidian

Product Summary

Obsidian from W. A. Production is a multi-effect plugin that sits outside the usual category boxes. It’s not a reverb, a distortion, or a standard modulation unit — it’s something closer to a creative instrument in effect form, built around a hidden processing matrix that reshapes the timbre and character of whatever you route through it. The page is upfront that explaining exactly what Obsidian does technically is less useful than simply loading it up and hearing it, but the mechanics under the hood are worth understanding.

At the heart of Obsidian is a Freq & Hype Matrix, presented as an XY pad with a draggable central node. FREQ controls the frequency and shape of an audio-rate modulation being applied to the incoming signal. HYPE sets the modulation depth along with other secondary parameters. What this combination does, under the hood, is modulate the incoming signal at a very high rate, pass it through formant shifting, and then feed it into a spectral delay line — generating additional harmonics and adding colour in the process. The node can be dragged freely or automated in your DAW, meaning you can move between processing characters over time, not just set and forget.

The spectral delay module inside Obsidian adds another layer of creative possibility. It has three controls: TIME (adjustable from 10ms to 2 seconds, with straight, triplet, and dotted note options), MODE (switching between freeplay and host BPM sync), and FEEDBACK (0–100% with precise control). The delay feeds back into the main processing matrix, creating feedback loops that can range from subtle vocal thickening and ambient texture to large rhythmic echoes and full dub-style modulations that evolve over time.

When you want the plugin to take the wheel, the dice icon at the centre randomises the XY pad position, automatically landing on a new combination of Freq and Hype values. It’s a useful creative nudge when you’re after something unexpected rather than something dialled in.

A Mix slider lets you blend the processed output with the dry source signal, covering everything from transparent colouring and subtle harmonic enhancement through to full-wet processing where the effect dominates completely.

The plugin ships with factory presets covering guitars, bass, drums, synths, vocals, and general audio signals — from gentle transformations to dramatic, mutation-level processing. A free trial is available from the Plugin Boutique page before purchasing. Rent to Own is also offered at $3.35/month over 12 months as an alternative to the one-time purchase.

Key Features

Processing

• Freq & Hype XY Matrix — audio-rate modulation combined with formant shifting and spectral delay to generate additional harmonics and colour; FREQ controls modulation frequency and shape, HYPE sets modulation depth and secondary parameters
• Creative Spectral Delay — TIME (10ms–2s, straight/triplet/dotted), MODE (freeplay or host BPM sync), and FEEDBACK (0–100%) feed back into the main matrix for evolving textures, rhythmic effects, vocal thickening, and ambient echoes
• Mix slider — blend the processed signal with the dry source from subtle colour to full-wet modulation

Control

• Automatable XY pad node — drag the central node or automate it in your DAW to sweep between processing characters over time
• Randomization (dice icon) — automatically randomises the XY pad to suggest unexpected processing combinations
• AB Copy & Paste — compare two settings quickly without losing your work

Workflow

• Factory presets — covers guitars, bass, drums, synths, and vocals, spanning subtle transformations through to heavy mutations
• Resizable interface — scale the GUI to your preference
• Pop & click-free bypass — clean switching in and out of the effect chain
• Free trial available — test the plugin on your system before purchasing
• Full PDF manual and tutorial video included

System Compatibility

• Windows 8 or higher (64-bit)
• macOS 10.10 or higher (64-bit)
• AAX — Pro Tools 11 or higher

Important note for Mac Apple Silicon users: Before purchasing, review the current M1/ARM compatibility status of this plugin on W. A. Production’s website.

Rent to Own / Beatport Studio note: When accessed via Rent to Own or Beatport Studio membership, the plugin is installed and run through the Beatport Access portal. An internet connection is required every 30 days to validate your licence.