Dexed
Key Features
- Authentic DX7 sound engine with three selectable modes: Modern (24-bit), Mark I (hardware-accurate), and OPL Series (8-bit chipset emulation)
- All 144 DX7 parameters exposed on a single panel with full DAW automation and real-time operator VU meters
- Built-in sysex cartridge manager and librarian with drag-and-drop patch organization and hardware DX7/TX7 communication
- Loads thousands of original DX7 .syx patches directly, including a factory bank of 1,024 classic FM presets
- Wheel/Foot/Breath/After Touch modulation matrix assignable to pitch, amplitude, and EG bias for expressive performance
- Cross-platform support spanning Windows, macOS, and Linux in VST, VST3, AU, LV2, and CLAP plugin formats
- Microtuning and MPE support contributed by the Surge Synthesizer team for modern workflow integration
Description
Dexed is a multi-platform FM synthesizer plugin closely modeled on the legendary Yamaha DX7. Built on the music-synthesizer-for-android engine, it faithfully recreates the original DX7 sound characteristics across three selectable engine modes: Modern (24-bit), Mark I (closest to the real DX7 hardware), and OPL Series (8-bit Yamaha FM chipset emulation).
The plugin exposes all 144 DX7 parameters from a single panel, with full DAW automation for every control. Each of the six operators includes a real-time VU meter so you can see exactly which operators are active during sound design.
Dexed doubles as a DX7 sysex cartridge manager and librarian. It fully supports DX7 input and output sysex messages including controller changes, meaning you can pair it with a hardware DX7 or TX7 as a patch editor.
Thousands of original DX7 sysex patches load directly into Dexed, giving immediate access to the iconic electric pianos, glassy bells, metallic basses, and punchy brass that defined 1980s pop, funk, and new wave. The Wheel/Foot/Breath/After Touch matrix lets you assign modulation sources to pitch, amplitude, and EG bias for expressive performance control.
Dexed ships with 1,024 factory presets and supports drag-and-drop cartridge management. The plugin runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux in VST, VST3, AU, LV2, and CLAP formats, with contributions from the Surge Synthesizer team adding microtuning and MPE support.
Video Preview
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Dexed load original Yamaha DX7 patches?
Yes. Dexed fully supports DX7 and TX7 sysex files (.syx format). You can load entire 32-voice cartridge banks or individual patches, and there are tens of thousands of original DX7 patches available online that work directly with Dexed.
What is the difference between Dexed's three engine modes?
Modern mode uses the original 24-bit music-synthesizer-for-android engine for clean, high-resolution FM. Mark I mode applies the math limitations of the original DX7 hardware for the most authentic vintage sound. OPL Series mode emulates the 8-bit Yamaha OPL chipset used in later FM hardware like sound cards.
Can I use Dexed as a patch editor for a hardware DX7?
Yes. Dexed fully supports DX7 input and output sysex messages including controller changes. You can connect it to a hardware DX7 or TX7 via MIDI, edit patches in the plugin's interface, and send them back to the hardware synth.
Does Dexed support MPE and microtuning?
Yes. The Surge Synthesizer team contributed microtuning and MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression) support to Dexed, allowing per-note pitch bending and alternative tuning systems beyond standard 12-tone equal temperament.
