The Yahama DX7 synthesizer ! The sound of the 80’s.
Released in 1983, the DX7 presets were used in countless songs, like these : http://bobbyblues.recup.ch/yamaha_dx7/dx7_examples.html
Famous for his e-piano sound, and bells, marimba and other metallic or crystal clear sounds.
It was used and still can be used in any music genre, from pop ballad to hard techno.
I digged into the many free FM VST plugins, searching for those who are able to recreate that clean 80 FM sound.
Here’s 4 free VSTi that can stand for the title of “best free DX7 VST emulation” :
1. Dexed FM VST
This VSTi is freeware and available for Windows and Mac OS X.
It can import / export original DX7 sysex, so you can use it as a DX7 editor.
The project is alive and recent, and it sounds very nice ! All FM lovers must try it.
Dexed - FM Plugin Synth. Dexed is a multi platform, multi format plugin synth that is closely modeled on the Yamaha DX7. Dexed is also a midi cartridge librarian/manager for the DX7. Minimal documentation is available on Dexed Wiki.
- Download Dexed - Create music with the help of this free and simple virtual synthesizer that is modeled after the Yamaha DX7 and comes with a few presets known as.
- Free FM Synthesizer Dexed (VST Windows and Mac) Discussions in the product pages of the KVR database are to talk about very minor problems (where to find it when it is hard to find, etc.) or to give.
- Free VST - Dexed FM Synthesizer. The Dexed is the favorite free plugin of many synthesizer players. Why, because it can play all the FM sounds of the 80’s. If you want to know more about FM synthesis you can check out the link to the wikipedia page about it. INSTALLING There is a windows 32 and 64 installer. And also a MAC installer available.
2. OxeFM by Oxe Music Software
Oxe FM VST
This is not really a DX7 emulation, but it can do 6 op FM synthesis (and more!) and can reproduce all the DX7 algoritms (and more!) with his matrix.
It also features two filters (named operator X & Z ) and let you choose other waveform than sinus waveform (for those who want to nail the TX81z sound !)
It has all you need for FM synthesis.
It’s worth notice that this VSTi is multitimbral, you can set different sounds for each of the 16 MIDI channels.
The drawback of this, is that the delay reverb effects only work for “all voice” and setting are not saved “per patch”
The preset browsing / handling is a bit cumbersome too.
The synth writes a registry entry with the path of the “.bin” files that contain the presets :
Root: HKLM; Subkey: “SOFTWAREOxe Music SoftwareOxe FM Synth”; ValueName: “SoundBankPath”; ValueType: String; ValueData: “Oxe FM Synth”;
3. Hexter VST
Hexter is no more available in VST format. The binary can be found on the internet if you really badly want it. The GUI is not SEXY but it can import and export DX7 .syx files.
It also adds 4 onboard effects : a tube drive, an echo, a reverb and a chorus effect.
4. VX7 by Speedsoft
VX7 free FM Synth plugin
download it here : http://black.winny.free.fr/MAO/VX7/
This never-released-still-in-beta FM synth has stoped since 2003, but it can produces FM sounds, had 6 operators, and can import DX7 patch, it can also import SY77 data.
Dexed is a multi platform, multi format plugin synth that is closely modeled on the Yamaha DX7. Dexed is also a midi cartridge librarian/manager for the DX7.
Minimal documentation is available on Dexed Wiki.
Dexed is free software and is licensed on the GPL v3.
Features
- Multi platform (OS X, Windows or Linux) and multi format (VST, AU, LV2)
- The sound engine music-synthesizer-for-android is closely modeled on the original DX7 characteristics
- 144 DAW automatable DX7 parameters available from one single panel
- Fully supports DX7 input and output Sysex messages; including controller change. This means that you can use this with a native DX7/TX7 as a patch editor and sysex manager
- Each operator have a realtime VU meter to know which one is active
- Can load/save any DX7/TX7 sysex programs. It is also possible to save a single program into a different sysex file.
Cartridge Manager
Dexed Fm Synth Vst Download Free
Any .syx file in the Cartridges directory will be available from the “CART” window. Find this directory by using the “CART” button and then the “SHOW DIR” button.
You can drag and drop any DX7 program from what is loaded in dexed and/or what you have loaded in the cartridge browser.
Dexed Fm Synth
Double-clicking on a program will load the currently selected program in the plugin.
Use the context (right-click) menu to send the program/cartridge the DX7 or open your OS file browser from the directory context.
Dexed Dx7 Vst
Hint: BlackWinny from kvraudio did a great DX7 compilation named Dexed_cart_1.0.zip. Simply unzip the content of this zipfile to your Cartridges directory.
Engine Type
Dexed can be configured to use some of the original math limitation of a DX synthesizer. This does not only apply to the DAC, it also involves the bit resolution of the sine waves and the way that the amplitude is applied to each operator. Since all of this is experimental, multiple engines will be available to be able to compare them easily.
Dexed comes with 3 engine types :
Dexed Fm Vst
- Modern : this is the original 24-bit music-synthesizer-for-android implementation.
- Mark I : Based on the OPL Series but at a higher resolution (LUT are 10-bits). The target of this engine is to be closest to the real DX7.
- OPL Series : this is an experimental implementation of the reversed engineered OPL family chips. 8-bit. Keep in mind that the envelopes stills needs tuning.