Glitch 2
by Illformed · Multi-FX · Sequenced glitch effect
Not rated yet
A tempo-synced effect that slices, retriggers, reverses, stretches, gates and filters audio, driven by a multi-lane step sequencer. Each MIDI note can trigger one of 128 scenes with its own patterns.
It is the sequel to dblue Glitch, one of the first well-known free glitch plugins, and has been free since August 2026. It is used for stutters, beat-repeat fills and chopped vocal and drum effects.
Best for: Drums, Keys & Synths, Vocals, Sound Design. Genres: Electronic & EDM, Hip-Hop & Trap.
Keywords: glitchy, stutter, rhythmic, drums, vocals, free, MIDI-controllable, creative, destructive, tempo-synced, keys, samples & loops, mixing, randomize, reverse, sound design, synths.
What it does
Glitch 2 (Glitch²) is Illformed's sequenced multi-effect for chopping and mangling audio in time with the track. Its developer called it the "FSU" plugin.
- Effect modules: tempo-synced effects including Retrigger, Stretcher, Shuffler, Reverser, Tape Stop, Gater and Filter, each with its own mix, pan and volume.
- Multi-lane sequencer: several effects can play at once; patterns are drawn, erased, resized, split and joined by drag and drop.
- Scenes: 128 scenes per program, each triggered by a MIDI note, with gate or latch modes and one-shot playback.
- Randomise and Mutate: available at almost every level, for quick variations.
It is free (version 2.1.5).
Source: Illformed product page
When to use it
Glitch 2 is the simplest and cheapest way into the sequenced-glitch style that Effectrix2 and Stutter Edit 2 refined. Compared with Effectrix2, which has more effects and a more polished grid, and Stutter Edit 2, which is built for gestures and builds, Glitch 2 is quicker and cruder, and it costs nothing.
- Best for: beat-repeat fills, stutters, reversed and tape-stopped drums, and chopped vocal effects triggered from a MIDI keyboard.
- Genres: electronic music (IDM, breakbeat, dubstep, glitch-hop) and hip-hop.
- Look elsewhere if: you want modern modulation and a larger effect set (Effectrix2, Infiltrator 2), or long evolving risers (Stutter Edit 2).
What producers say
Glitch's creator, Kieran Foster, died in July 2026; his family made Glitch 2 free in August 2026 in his memory.
- MusicRadar described the original free Glitch (2005) and Glitch 2 (2013) as pioneering, and credited them with influencing sound-mangling plugins such as Effectrix and Infiltrator.
- Bedroom Producers Blog recalled it as an early favourite that made computer music exciting, able to completely change a drum loop, vocal chop or synth line.
- KVR Audio covered the free release.
Where to buy
- Illformed: Free (Free since version 2.1.5 (August 2026).)
Tutorials and reviews
- Top VST Plugins Part 1 - Glitch 2 - Ned Rush (Ned Rush)
- illformed Glitch 2 VST Effect Review
- Illformed - Glitch 2 - Demo
- Free Glitch - Glitch² by Illformed (No Talking)
- Illformed's dBlue Glitch 2 ~ Glitching Demonstration (and Free Glitch Samples!)
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