Dexed - FM Plugin Synth

Please see Dexed User Website for user and download information.

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 and JUCE as an application/plugin wrapper.

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. The msfa component (acronym for music synthesizer for android, see msfa in the source folder) stays on the Apache 2.0 license to able to collaborate between projects.

Donation

As a maintainer of this 10 year old project, donations are welcomed. This also applies for the Apple users to cover for the notarization of this software in the comming years. Thank you!

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/asb2m10

Dexed Forks

• MiniDexed Run a DX7 bare metal from a Raspberry Pi
• SIMD-optimized CPU optimized version with highway

Changelog

Version 0.9.8

• Accessibility implementation (including keyboard shortcuts)
• UI component refresh
• Mono/Poly parameter is now a plugin parameter
• Copy/paste operator values are now text based (and system wide)
• Fix Apple Logic startup issue

Version 0.9.7

• MTS-ESP microtuning support
• CLAP plugin support (sadly scaling is not available for now, but we are working on this)
• Scalable UI upgrade (better resolution), optimized UI redraw
• More accurate VU meter. Thanks @FulopNandor
• Releases are now notarized for macOS
• Fix for VST3 automation (again)
• For developers: cmake is now the built system

Version 0.9.6

• Apple Silicon M1 builds
• Fix VST3 automation issues
• Fix to apply UI scaling only when applicable
• Fix hang notes on program changes

Version 0.9.5

• Added support for SCL/KBM microtuning
• Added initial support for MPE performance
• Upgraded build system to use JUCE 6.0 and build from locally acquired JUCE
• A Collection of small UI changes, including higher contrast GUI assets, better sub-window management, and mouse wheel support
• Added VST3 support

Version 0.9.4HF1

• Fixed sysex messages with unwanted pitch bend

Version 0.9.4

• Standalone application version of Dexed
• Midi learn support for midi CC messages
• More accurate detune for operators
• More accurate EG envelopes. thanks @jeremybernstein
• Pitchbend now listen to any channels
• Fixed 'clicking' in mono mode
• Fixed implementation for Midi CC 0x78 and 0x7B (All Sound Off / All Notes Off)
• Windows/macOS installers

Version 0.9.3

• Preliminary live operator level update
• Support for incoming parameter change messages
• More permissive on cartridge sysex type; the validation is now done on size (4104/4096 bytes)
• Midi 'All Note Off; 0x7B' support
• Breakpoint values are now shown as notes. thanks @tico-tico
• Fixed op feedback calibrated for Mark I engine
• Fixed for breakpoint levels. thanks @Sentinel77
• Fixed LFO delay issue issues upon large values
• Fixed for receiving sysex cartridge. thanks @Sentinel77
• Fixed operator switch changes are now sent via sysex

Version 0.9.2

• Mark I engine is now the default engine
• Added operator mute switch
• Added Tune (MASTER TUNE ADJ) knob
• Correct feedback implementation for Algo 4 and 6 (engine Mk I only)
• Single click program select
• Fixed sysex issue with wrong machine ID
• Fixed for parameter hosts values. thanks @Sentinel77

Version 0.9.1

• Mark I engine now uses 10-bit sine/exp tables. Still a work in progress but we are getting there
• More accurate FM feedback on the Mark I and OPL Series engine
• Wheel, Foot, Breath, Aftertouch modulation support
• Fixed the display of some more 'complex' algorithms
• Drop of .syx files in the cartridge manager
• Dexed data directory can now optionally reside in the same location where the binary is installed
• 'Send current program to DX7' in Cartridge Manager works as designed
• Support for sysex streams (multiple sysex messages in one .syx file)
• falkTX upstream fixes for Linux

Version 0.9.0

• Apple AU support
• Cartridge Manager
• Store action also can update the currently loaded cartridge
• Basic theming
• Fixed the UI corruption when more than one Dexed instance was loaded
• Fixed wrong display value issues (coarse and fine)

Credits & thanks

• DX Synth engine : Raph Levien and the msfa team
• Surge Synth Team for substantial contributions like microtuning and MPE support.
• Graphical design : AZur Studio
• Sentinel77 for numerous engine fixes
• LP Filter : Filatov Vadim (2DaT); taken from the excellent Obxd project
• PPPlay : Great OPL3 implementation, with documented code :D
• DX7 program compilation : Jean-Marc Desprez (author of SynprezFM)
• DX7 programs : Dave Benson, Frank Carvalho, Tim Conrardy, Jack Deckard, Chris Dodunski, Tim Garrett, Hitaye, Stephan Ibsen, Christian Jezreel, Narfman, Godric Wilkie
• falkTX distrho

TODO - Dexed

• Various code cleanup
• Yamaha 4 operators (DX21/DX27/DX100) sysex import

TODO - msfa

• Portamento implementation
• Better Amplitude Modulation
• Accurate live operator level envelope updates

How to build

Clone Dexed from github

~ $ git clone https://github.com/asb2m10/dexed.git

Dexed has several submodules it now depends on, including VST3/CLAP and a library to support non standard tuning. After you clone your first step is

~ $ cd dexed
~/dexed $ git submodule update --init --recursive

Then you crate the cmake build files that are will be created in the build directory. On that build you can trigger your favorite IDE or simply use --build cmake option.

~/dexed $ mkdir build
~/dexed $ cd build
~/dexed/build $ cmake .. -DJUCE_COPY_PLUGIN_AFTER_BUILD=TRUE
~/dexed/build $ cmake --build .

If you get missing header compilation errors, be sure to check the known Linux dependencies based on your distribution for Linux.

Binaries will be found in ~/dexed/build/Source/Dexed_artefacts/*