The Yamaha DX7 is one of the most iconic synthesizers of all time. And if you’re looking for a free way to get that classic FM sound, you should definitely check out Dexed, the free DX7 plugin.
What Is Dexed?
Dexed is a virtual instrument that’s modeled on the Yamaha DX7 FM synthesizer. It can also be used as a MIDI cartridge manager for actual DX7 hardware. This instrument is available for PC, Mac, and Linux as a VST/AU plugin, and as a standalone application.
A shockingly impressive software recreation of the classic Yamaha DX7 FM synthesizer. This open-source plugin delivers the iconic sound of the original. Plus, it works with .sysex files, meaning you can use presets from the actual hardware.
Dexed Features
Dexed is a fully-featured instrument that works like most other FM synths. But there are a few things that make it stand out from other free and paid plugins.
Authentic DX7 Sound
The Dexed sound engine is modeled on the original instrument. It comes incredibly close, and will be enough to satisfy most users looking for that glassy DX7 sound.
Dexed uses 6 operators, which you can modify and arrange in various patterns. And in many ways, it’s much easier to edit and design sounds with Dexed than with the original hardware.
Compatible with .sysex Files
With the original DX7, you could load cartridges filled with presets to expand the instrument’s sounds. On top of that, you could also save custom presets to blank cartridges and share them with other DX7 users. The files themselves were in .sysex format.
Any DX7 plugin worth its salt is compatible with .sysex files. And thankfully, that’s also the case with Dexed.
You can manage and store files directly within the instrument itself. I quite like that a lot, since it saves me from manually digging through my computer files.
If you’re looking for any of the Yamaha factory presets, you can find some from Yamaha Black Boxes archive.
Here you'll find archived .sysex files and presets for the classic Yamaha DX7 FM synthesizer. You can use them with the original DX7, or with any other compatible software instruments.
Manage and Edit Sounds for DX7 Synths
Dexed isn’t just a virtual recreation of the DX7. You can actually use it to edit and upload sounds directly into actual DX7 hardware (and other compatible synths).
Connect your instrument via MIDI, set Dexed’s MIDI Out settings to your desired synth/interface, then you should be able to use it as your librarian software.
Here’s an example of YouTube user ranzee demonstrating this feature on a Korg Volca FM.
Performance Issues
From my experience, Dexed is a pretty lightweight plugin that doesn’t sap too much out of your CPU.
That said, I’ve noticed some. It’s not a major problem, but it’s frequent enough that it’s noticeable (at least on my setup).
I’ve had sounds freeze or drop out entirely. Other times, the synth produces loud bursts of static.
These issues mostly occur when I click or change something while my DAW session is playing the track. So make sure to pause before changing settings, tracks, and plugins.
Should You Download Dexed?
Since Dexed is free, it’s a no-brainer to download. It’s a fantastic, free way to get the classic DX7 sound without paying anything.
On top of that, Dexed is a great tool if you own a DX7 or another 6-operator FM synth like it.
Just be aware that you might run into some glitching and performance issues now and then.
A shockingly impressive software recreation of the classic Yamaha DX7 FM synthesizer. This open-source plugin delivers the iconic sound of the original. Plus, it works with .sysex files, meaning you can use presets from the actual hardware.
Find More DX7-Inspired Plugins
Looking for more Yamaha-style synths? Here are some of our favorite Yamaha DX7 VSTs and plugins.
Additional Resources
Here are some extra links to help you get the most out of Dexed.
