Modern music production thrives on experimentation. Beyond polished synthesizers and bread‑and‑butter compressors, there’s a growing market for weird VST plugins that mangle, morph and inspire in unexpected ways. After digging through bloggers’ reviews, official product pages and community threads, here are ten of the strangest yet most useful plugins you can add to your arsenal.
1. Native Instruments Playbox
Why it’s weird: Playbox isn’t a typical synthesizer; it’s a Kontakt instrument that fuses sound design, chord generation and layering. You load or import up to 450 user samples and layer them into dense clusters, then trigger them with chord sets. The randomize buttons generate new chord progressions and textures on the fly, making it ideal for creative blocks.
Key features
- Harmony engine – generates chords and progressions that automatically trigger layered samples.
- Drag‑and‑drop sample import – build your own sound palettes from up to 450 user samples.
- On‑board effects – add reverb, delay and modulation to sculpt lush clouds of sound.
2. Freakshow Industries Backmask
Why it’s weird: Backmask is a chaotic reverser that “exposes the hidden terrors of music.” The developer markets it as a reverse time plug‑in that uses government‑approved paradox processing technology to reveal ghosts and aliens. Underneath the tongue‑in‑cheek marketing lies a creative tool: Backmask slices incoming audio into chunks and reverses them in unpredictable ways.
Key features
- Chunked reverse processing – splits the input into sections and reverses each independently.
- Randomization modes – choose from manual, triggered or fully random timing for glitchy texture.
- Built‑in effects – filters, bit‑crusher and delays let you further mangle the reversed signal.
3. Mixing Night Audio LOLCOMP
Why it’s weird: LOLCOMP is a compressor and tone‑shaping tool built for fun. Instead of typical ratio and threshold dials, you get LMAO controls—Levitate, Mash, Awaken and Oxidate—that shape the sound in unpredictable ways. The interface features playful avatars and animations to encourage experimentation.
Key features
- Multi‑chain compression & FX – five curated chains (Kangaroo, Game of Tones, Soo Pretty, etc.) provide unique tonal options.
- LMAO knobs – Levitate fattens or thins, Mash acts as a hard compressor/limiter, Awaken brightens, and Oxidate adds reverb flavors.
- 100 presets – ready‑made settings help you quickly dial in punchy drums, distorted vocals or dreamy pads.
4. Native Instruments KARRIEM RIGGINS DRUMS
Why it’s weird: This Play Series instrument captures the laid‑back, behind‑the‑beat groove of hip‑hop and jazz legend Karriem Riggins. Each kit was recorded at Sunset Sound in Los Angeles and designed with a colorful interface by artist Jason Jägel. The plugin lets you play humanized off‑grid rhythms reminiscent of J‑Dilla.
Key features
- Signature groove – encapsulates Riggins’ punchy, swing‑heavy drumming style.
- Meticulously recorded kits – multiple drum sets captured at Studio 3 and curated by Karriem Riggins.
- Feel & timing controls – adjust swing and tightness to humanize your patterns.
- Pattern page – explore sixteen preset rhythmic patterns or draw your own.
Download KARRIEM RIGGINS DRUMS
5. U‑he Triple Cheese
Why it’s weird: Triple Cheese is a comb‑filter synthesizer—no oscillators, wavetables or FM. Instead, it chains three comb filters to generate sound, resulting in unexpectedly lush or “cheesy” tones. Because comb filters work by delaying and feeding back the signal, the synth has a distinctive plucky, resonant character.
Key features
- Three comb modules – each module offers multiple modes and can be routed in series or parallel.
- Two LFOs & envelope – host‑syncable LFOs and modulation sources add motion.
- Built‑in effects – chorus, flanger, delay and reverb allow further shaping.
6. Glitchmachines Fracture
Why it’s weird: Fracture is a free buffer effect designed to introduce robotic artifacts and musical malfunctions. It’s perfect for IDM, glitch and experimental genres. The plugin’s buffer module records snippets of audio and plays them back at different speeds or reversed; a delay, filter and three LFOs add further chaos.
Key features
- Buffer, delay & filter – core modules create granular‑style stutters and squelches.
- Three LFOs – modulate any parameter for constantly evolving textures.
- Randomize function – instantly generate new settings when inspiration runs dry.
7. Cableguys PanCake 2
Why it’s weird: PanCake 2 takes panning automation to extremes. You can draw your own curves using soft or hard points, create up to ten custom waveforms and sync them to your DAW’s tempo. It’s great for rhythmic panning, auto‑panning effects and binaural tricks.
Key features
- Custom modulation curves – draw any shape for panning modulation.
- 10 waveform slots & MIDI trigger – store multiple LFO shapes and re‑trigger them with MIDI.
- Sync & automation – speeds can be free‑running or synchronized; every parameter is automatable.
8. Inear Display BowEcho
Why it’s weird: BowEcho is a modular sound mangler built around four delay lines and a flexible routing matrix. Each delay can be modulated by one of four LFOs that run at audio or control rates. Mixers can act as gain stages, filters or ring modulators, giving you countless signal chains.
Key features
- Four delays & four LFOs – run multiple delays in series or parallel with complex modulation.
- Versatile mixers – each mixer can be a gainer, filter, ring modulator or stereo splitter.
- Modular routing – patch modules freely to explore unexpected sound design paths.
9. AudioNerdz Delay Lama
Why it’s weird: Delay Lama is equal parts instrument and toy. This monophonic vocal synth uses formant synthesis to emulate the sound of a chanting Tibetan monk. On screen, a 3D monk sings along as you play, and the built‑in XY controller or MIDI pitches change the vowel sounds and throat shape.
Key features
- Real‑time animated interface – a cartoon monk visualizes your performance.
- Monophonic vocal synth – control vowel sounds with a mouse or MIDI controller.
- Built‑in stereo delay – adds echo and depth to the chant.
10. Madrona Labs Kaivo
Why it’s weird: Kaivo merges granular synthesis with physical modeling in a patchable environment. It uses finite‑difference time‑domain (FDTD) models to simulate vibrating objects, leading to hyper‑realistic plucks, strings, membranes and plates. You can feed the granular source into these models and route signals using a modular patch panel.
Key features
- Granular source – break audio into grains and distribute them across time and pitch.
- Physical models – choose between modeled strings, chimes, drumheads and plates, each producing lifelike vibrational responses.
- Patchable modulation – connect envelopes, sequencers and modulators for complex interactions.
Conclusion
Weird plugins add surprise and inspiration to your workflow. Whether you’re reversing time with Backmask, sculpting cheesy comb‑filter tones in Triple Cheese or coaxing a singing monk out of Delay Lama, these tools encourage you to break out of creative ruts. Use them alongside your standard instruments to spark new ideas and textures.