Developer Kieran Foster, Creator of Illformeds Glitch Plugins, Dies at 47

Kieran Foster, the software developer behind the popular audio plugins Glitch and Glitch², passed away on 2 August 2026 at the age of 47. Known also as dblue and MaDHaTTeR, Foster was a pivotal figure in the early freeware VST scene that helped shape computer‑based music production.

Foster’s most celebrated contribution is the Glitch plugin, first released in the mid‑2000s as a free VST. It gave producers the ability to slice, retrigger, reverse, stretch, and gate audio in tempo‑synced ways. The original Glitch quickly became a staple in the late 2000s, especially among users of DAWs such as MuLab, and it was a go‑to tool for experimenting with drum loops, vocal chops and synth lines. The plugin’s open‑source nature and straightforward interface made it a favorite of bedroom producers and early online music forums, according to the illformed website.

After the success of Glitch, Foster continued to develop audio tools under the illformed brand. In 2026 he released Glitch², which expands on the original’s capabilities with a new sequencer, improved real‑time performance, and support for VST2, VST3 and AU formats on Windows, macOS and Linux. The plugin is available in both 32‑bit and 64‑bit versions and can be downloaded for free from the illformed site.

A memorial post on illformed.com highlighted the impact of Foster’s work, noting that it “gave a lot of us a way to make music differently.” The post also announced that Glitch² would be offered as a free download in his memory, a gesture that reflects Foster’s long‑standing commitment to providing accessible tools for the music community.

Foster’s influence extended beyond the Glitch series. He released several other free VST plugins and contributed to the broader ecosystem of open‑source audio software. His tools were compatible with major DAWs—including Ableton Live, FL Studio, Logic Pro and Reaper—and were praised for their low CPU usage and intuitive design.

The loss of Foster is felt across the audio industry. Producers who began their careers with the original Glitch describe the plugin as a “gateway” to more advanced sound‑design techniques. The free availability of Glitch² ensures that new generations of creators can continue to experiment with glitch‑style processing without financial barriers.

The illformed website remains active, offering the free Glitch² download and maintaining a repository of older plugins. Users can also access the original Glitch and other legacy tools, which are still compatible with modern operating systems.

As of now, the audio community is reflecting on Foster’s legacy, and the free release of Glitch² serves as a tribute to his contributions. No further releases or updates have been announced.

The current situation is that Glitch² is freely available for Windows, macOS and Linux users, and the illformed site continues to host Foster’s earlier plugins. The community can download and use these tools without cost, preserving Foster’s impact on music production.