Skew
by Sinevibes · Delay · Non-linear reverse delay
Not rated yet
Skew is a free reverse delay from Sinevibes that plays back recorded audio in reversed chunks synced to tempo.
Twelve non-linear curves warp the playback speed for pitch-bending effects, and a triple-playhead design keeps the pitch effect consistent across feedback repeats.
Best for: Keys & Synths, Guitars, Vocals, Sound Design. Genres: Electronic & EDM, Ambient & Cinematic.
Keywords: reverse, non-linear, free, tape, tempo-synced, vocals, electric guitar, glitchy, synths, drums, experimental, mixing, simple, smooth, sound design, vibrato, wobble.
What it does
Skew is a free Sinevibes reverse delay. It records its input continuously and plays it back backwards in tempo-synced chunks, bending the playback speed along a chosen curve so it can produce "pure reversing, tape rewind, pitch slides", vibrato and scratch-like effects.
- Reverse engine: a triple-playhead reversing delay with overdubbing feedback.
- Time: the length of each reversed chunk, from 1/32 note to 16 bars, synced to the host tempo. The reversed sound is heard one chunk length after it was played.
- Curve: 12 non-linear speed curves: Natural+, Natural-, Quadratic+, Quadratic-, Hyperbolic, Bi-Cubic, Warp, Slide+, Slide-, and Wavy 4x, 6x and 8x.
- Intensity: 0–100%, how strongly the chosen curve bends the playheads. At zero you get a plain reverse; higher values add pitch slides and wobble.
- Overlap: 0–50%, blends the previous reversed chunk into the current one for smoother looping.
- Feedback: 0–100%, sends the delayed signal back into the input without the pitch curve applied, so repeats build up as overdubs.
- Mix: Send, Return and Mix controls for dry and wet balance, plus lag filters on continuous parameters and a preset library.
Skew v2 handles mono-to-mono, mono-to-stereo and stereo-to-stereo setups. It was a paid plugin until December 2025 and is now a free download.
Source: Sinevibes product page
When to use it
Skew is the better pick when you want reverse effects that move in pitch and stay locked to the tempo. Compared with Kilohearts Reverser, it adds the 12 speed curves, so one chunk can rewind like tape or slide in pitch instead of just playing backwards. Compared with the reverse modes in EchoBoy, ValhallaDelay or FabFilter Timeless 3, it does far less as a general delay, but reversing is its whole design rather than one option among many. It is also free, so it costs nothing to add next to a main delay.
- Best for: reverse swells, tape-rewind and pitch-slide transitions, and warped, glitchy echoes on drums, synths, guitars and vocals.
- Genres: electronic, ambient, hip-hop, DJ edits and experimental.
- Look elsewhere if: you need a normal forward delay; EchoBoy, ValhallaDelay or Timeless 3 fit better.
- Tip: Computer Music suggests cycling presets and automating its few controls for live-sounding mix effects; Sinesquares used it for subtle reversed layers under a part.
What producers say
Reviewers see it as a unique, playful reverser, with the main reservation that it is less detailed than some rivals.
- Computer Music (via MusicRadar, 2022) praised its "unique way of engineering reversed audio in real-time", the simple interface, the presets and glitch-free reversing, but found it "not as detailed as other time-reversing plugins".
- Sinesquares named it the reviewer's favourite Sinevibes plugin and "a very unique effect that can't be found elsewhere", noting it takes some experimenting to master.
Where to buy
- Sinevibes: Free
Tutorials and reviews
- Sinevibes Skew v2
- Sinevibes Skew
- Skew by Sinevibes - with Electric Guitar
- Skew Plugin Review By Sinevibes
- Free Reverse Delay - Slew v2 by Sinevibes (No Talking)
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