Baby Audio Warp review: the free plugin punching well above its weight

There are a lot of plugins that can time-stretch and pitch-shift, but what sets Warp by Baby Audio apart is its combination of ease of use, creative flexibility, and the fact that it’s completely free.

I’m a fan of all the Baby Audio plugins I’ve tried: Spaced Out and Crystalline I use very often; and Taip and Super VHS also get a run out in projects from time to time. The brand has built a reputation for offering quality as well as great value, and has made somewhat of a name for itself by giving away a free plugin every year to help keep everyone engaged in what this exciting brand has been up to. At the end of 2024, Warp became the latest product to continue that tradition.

It’s a rare opportunity to get access to a tool of this calibre at no cost, which makes it all the more appealing. A lot of plugins in this space either make sound manipulation too complex or end up sacrificing quality when you push them to extremes. Warp, however, nails a great balance - letting you stretch, twist, and pitch-shift audio in real time without any of the harsh artefacts you might expect from similar tools.

The interface, like all Baby Audio plugins, is very inviting - and easy to use. You’re not wading through layers of menus or obscure controls to get to the good stuff. Just a simple, central dial for tweaking time and pitch, along with a few colour-coded presets that make experimentation a breeze. It’s the kind of plugin you can dive into without getting overwhelmed.

What really sets Warp apart, though, is the sound quality. It’s one of those tools that feels like it’s doing exactly what you want it to, without getting in the way. You can stretch a loop, pitch down a vocal, or even completely transform a drum hit—and it all stays smooth. There’s no noticeable distortion or glitching, even when you push things to the limit. The algorithm is smart, transparent, and keeps everything sounding clean.

But Warp isn’t just about stretching and pitching. It’s got a collection of additional features: granular effects, filtering, and reverb, which allow for serious amounts of creativity. If you’re into sound design or just looking to add a little extra magic to your tracks, Warp gives you plenty of options. Whether you’re crafting dreamy textures or flipping a loop into something totally new, it has the flexibility to handle anything you throw at it.

Warp is a plugin that punches well above its weight. It's easy to use, sounds fantastic, and gives you the kind of creative freedom you want without the complexity. If you’re looking for a tool to stretch, pitch, and manipulate your sounds in a way that’s both powerful and natural, Warp delivers on every front. Oh, and did we mention that it’s free?

Check out Headliner's previous reviews of Baby Audio plugins here.