Very versatile and easy to use

I was overwhelmed the first time I saw it, since FM synthesis was still completely new to me and at first I didn't get any proper sounds. Once I saw the videos from Power DX7 on YouTube, it opened up a new world to me. Yes, I bet a real Yamaha DX7 sounds better in a way, but if you use a proper DAC, dexed will sound nice. I use it as a plugin in Reaper and as a patch editor for a Korg volca fm2. Since a few months I also made my own MiniDexed, a RPi project to turn an RPi into a Yamaha TX816, basically running 8 instances of dexed in parallel, which can be panned and with added reverb. I'm currently using the pre-release of dexed 0.9.7, which works better with larger screens. There are some features I'd like to see or get improved, like handling cartridge-files, being able to set a value directly by keyboard and support for 4-operator FM-synthesizers with different wave types, like the TX81Z.

A DX7 emulation and librarian, enough said

Look, you already most likely know what a DX7 is these days. This here is an emulation of a legendary classic, and it's free.

Arturia's DX7 plugin might be better, it might be more accurate, and it certainly is a hell of a lot better to use, but this has a significant advantage over it in that it can communicate with real DX7 units and read/write patches to and from a real unit (and this also includes other synths that support the DX7 format)

Here's a tip, instead of trying to make your own patches, there's dozens, and I do mean dozens, of DX7 sysex files floating around the interweb. One source in particular is linked on the same page where you'd download this, and it's a very wealthy collection of sysex files that you can use with Dexed. One would say too many patches! Well, I would too, there's genuinely a LOT of those bad boys out there.

Now, why this tip? Well, the interface isn't the friendliest you can interact with for sure. There's a lot of knobs that aren't really labeled well enough, and it takes quite a bit of prodding to get anything useful out of it. Not to mention, FM synthesis by itself is not a very easy concept to understand. If you do understand how it works, definitely give patchmaking a shot, as you could end up with some really interesting stuff! Hell, I'm slowly working on cobbling together a patch set of my own, I... should probably work on it instead of writing reviews en masse here...

ANYWAY, you should absolutely get this if you're on the lookout for classic sounds, but make sure you at least get ahold of the factory patches (should be a .SYX file), as the default patches Dexed comes with, well, they're not the best showcase of DX7 in my opinion.

it's okay, personally feel liek the ui is a bit too busy

it's okay, personally feel liek the ui is a bit too busy. i would personally prefer it if they had some tabs, but it works when it does. but i personally feel like others do its job better. it is free though

FM goodness

Simply the best free FM soft synth. There are tens of thousands of presets out there, plus you can use Dexed to load the sounds on an actual FM synth if you have one, including a Volca FM or one of the Yamaha DX series. Great value, very versatile.

awesome

DEXED simulates the mighty Yamaha DX7 FM synthesizers of my youth. I still have one. Basically this thing is 98% a real DX7 sound but what you lose in sound quality DEXED makes up for with ease of programmability. While maintining the vintage Yamaha look in their GUI, Digital Suburban have incorporated the best virtual-knob and graphical controls from various popular DX7 midi-patch-creation freeware. This is much easier to program than your DX7, can load up actual DX7 saved patches and is just a joy to screw around with. I still use my DX7 when I want to grunge up an FM sound through a guitar amp or something, but if I want crisp, DI Yamaha sounds I go for DEXED.

Essential software for the Yamaha DX7

I use Dexed and the Roland UM-ONE USB MIDI Interface as a librarian for my Yamaha DX7. Loading patches to the DX7 is quick and easy, and programming the DX7 is much easier from Dexed. The one downside of Dexed is that notes will stick when using the DX7 as a MIDI controller.

Good for Indonesian style music

Anyone here from Indonesia would probably love this one as DX7 patches were used a lot in dangdut and indo pop during the 80’s and 90’s. Also one of the most beloved 80’s synths for e piano, harmonica, and brass.

free DX7 vst, light cpu, amazing sounds, tons of patches on the web

no, it's not as powerful as FM8, but my god, as far as softsynths go, this one is 1) FREE and 2) really light on CPU (a few percent at tops on my quad core amd) and sounds amazing. plus there are tons of patches because it's a DX7 in a VST package, and DX7 patches are everywhere on the internet for free. you gotta get this VST. plus if you own a Volca FM (planning on getting this), you can prototype and send your patches here.

basically a free dx7

this vst is amazing. A little tricky at first to those new to FM synthesis, but sounds so close to the original dx7 its insane. All of this for free. There's no reason you shouldn't have this vst.

Best free Synth Plugin I have ever seen

This thing is complicated and seems to have a steep learning curve but it can do so much it's insane. I usually just stick to the presets which sound amazing. AND IT'S FREE!