Skew – Non-Linear Reverse Delay

I just stumbled upon this gem today, and I honestly had to stop my session to write this up for you guys. I’ve been digging through the web looking for something to break the monotony of standard echoes, and found something special for your arsenal.

We’ve all been there—you’re working on a beat, the drums are knocking, but the melody just feels… stale. It sits in the mix, but it doesn’t have that “ear candy” factor that keeps listeners hooked. You try a standard delay, but it just muddies up the headroom. That is exactly the struggle Skew solves. This isn’t just an echo; it’s a vibe-creator that reverses and warps your audio to turn boring stems into complex, rhythmic textures.

Why Skew is a Game-Changer for Your Mix & Workflow

If you produce Trap, IDM, or even Cinematic scores, you know that texture is everything. Skew takes a unique approach by constantly recording your audio and spitting it back out in reversed chunks. But it’s the non-linear aspect that really brings the heat.

Here is why this plugin creates instant inspiration:

Total Rhythmic Control: It syncs perfectly to your host transport, meaning your glitches will always be locked in time with the groove.
Unique Pitch Bending: Unlike standard delays, Skew uses 12 different non-linear curves to warp playback speed. This gives you those crazy tape-stop and pitch-slide effects without complex automation.
Clean Feedback Loops: The triple-playhead design is genius—one head handles feedback while two handle playback. This means your pitch-bending effects don’t get messy or dissonant as they repeat.
Smooth Automation: They included lag filters on all parameters, so you can tweak knobs live or draw in crazy automation clips without any nasty digital clicks or pops.
Versatile Routing: Whether you are working mono-to-mono or want to widen the stereo field, this plugin handles the signal flow effortlessly.

⚡ Pro Producer Tip: The Instant Transition Fix

Don’t just leave this on the whole time. Throw Skew on your main melody bus and automate the Mix knob from 0% to 100% just on the last bar before the drop. Combined with the “Tape Rewind” curve setting, it creates a sick reverse-suction effect that pulls the listener right into the next section. It’s way cleaner than a standard riser!

Tech Specs (Keep it Light)

Here is the lowdown on compatibility. It’s pretty lightweight (only 14MB), so it won’t eat up your CPU.

Mac: AU, VST3, AAX (macOS 10.13+, Intel & Silicon native).
Windows: VST3, AAX (Windows 8.1+, 64-bit).
Linux: VST3 (Ubuntu 20.04+, 64-bit).
Space: A tiny 14 MB download.

The Verdict

Look, standard delays are bread and butter, but Skew is the hot sauce. It takes a static sound and gives it movement and character that is hard to replicate with stock plugins. The interface is slick, the triple-playhead engine is smart, and the pitch-warping capabilities are perfect for modern production styles. If your tracks are feeling a little too “safe,” this is the tool to dirty them up.

HOME

Skew.2.0.0_WIN ( 5 MB )

Skew.2.0.0_MAC ( 9 MB )

Skew.2.0.0_LINUX ( 4 MB )

Let me know in the comments how this sits in your latest project! Are you using it for subtle movement or full-on glitch madness? Let’s talk shop below! 👇

VST

We’re audio producers and sound designers with over 20 years of experience in the industry. Our team has lived through the entire evolution of digital audio production.

Our mission? To filter out the junk and bring you only the studio-ready free VSTs that actually compete with paid gear. We do the digging so you can focus on creating.

Tags: Skew