With each member of the Production Expert team narrowing down the product that makes their working life better, Russ Hughes talks about 2022’s contribution to his gear, the Dexed DX7 VI.
What Is It
Dexed is not new, but it became new to me in 2022. This is what they say about Dexed.
Dexed is a multi platform, multi format plugin synth that is closely modeled on the Yamaha DX7. Under the hood it uses music-synthesizer-for-android for the synth engine.
The goal of this project is to be a tool/companion for the original DX7. Sound engine with 'float' value parameters, different waveform à la TX81Z would be great but anything that goes beyond the DX7 should and will be a fork of this project. This is to keep the compatibility with the original machine.
Dexed 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.
Why I Like It
My first digital synth in the 1980s was a Yamaha DX7. Loved and hated in equal measure by the synth community, largely because for many FM synthesis was just too hard to get their head around compared to analogue subtractive synthesis. The sound of the DX7 was one of a kind at the time, creating incredible bright, metallic and complex sounds, not heard before from the likes of things like Moogs and Roland synths. In a nutshell the DX7 and associated products were different from anything else. I took to FM synthesis like a duck to water, in some ways, it was the thing that got me into this industry. You can read more about the DX7 in our article 5 Things That Defined The Sound Of 80s Music Production
There’s been a lot of FM synth VIs over the years, from the original Native Instruments offering through to others from the likes of Arturia. Ronan McDonald did an excellent summary FM Synths - 5 Fabulous Plugins To Check Out
However, when I discovered Dexed, it was for me, the closest thing to the original thing. Even better, it loads the Sysex files of any DX sound library, and there’s a lot kicking around online, including the original DX Roms.
And now for the best news, Dexed is completely free.
How It Helps My Work
It helps me in my work because it inspires me. Many think the DX7 sound isn’t very wow compared to many other synths, but this thing is so light on the CPU I can stack several instances to create something that was out the reach of many mere mortals, the legendary Yamaha TX816. That’s 8 DX7s in a rack.
To really give Dexed an extra little shine I use Tai Chi from LiquidSonics, the ensemble reverb was made for jus this purpose.
If you love synths then Dexed is a must have. If you were a synth player in the 1980s then this is a trip down memory lane that will have you smiling like a Cheshire cat. Hands down winner for me.