# M2DX — MIDI 2.0 FM Synthesizer

> A 6-operator FM synthesizer for iOS with DX7 compatibility and AUv3 support. (iPhone/iPad app by Hakaru Hirose.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/m2dx/id6763840208 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Hakaru Hirose](https://appshunter.io/developer/1866507020)
- Category: Music
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.00/5 from 4 App Store ratings · 2 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 18.0 · 14 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2026-06-16
- Data updated: 2026-09-02
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/m2dx/id6763840208/reviews.md

## What is M2DX?

M2DX is a 6-operator, 32-algorithm FM synthesizer for iPhone, built from the ground up in pure Swift 6. Open it and play immediately — tap the built-in on-screen keyboard and start making sound with M2DX's own hand-crafted presets. No external hardware or MIDI controller is required.

The FM engine is a bit-exact port of the open-source Dexed / msfa DSP, verified sample-for-sample against the reference. It is also compatible with the classic DX7 patch format: bring your own DX7-format .syx banks and play them alongside M2DX's originals.

KEY FEATURES
- Built-in on-screen keyboard with velocity and octave control — play standalone, no hardware needed
- 6-operator, 32-algorithm DX7-style FM synthesis
- M2DX's own original FM presets, plus DX7-format .syx bank import (bring your own)
- A 6-stage FX chain: EQ, Drive, Chorus, Reverb, Stereo, Maximizer
- Low-latency audio with AVAudioSourceNode direct rendering
- AUv3 plug-in — use M2DX as an Audio Unit (AUv3) in compatible hosts

OPTIONAL MIDI (not required to use the app)
- Connect any MIDI controller over Bluetooth or USB if you have one
- Native MIDI 2.0 — UMP with 16-bit velocity and 32-bit controllers
- MIDI-CI Property Exchange — patch names appear on compatible controllers (for example, KORG KeyStage)
- MIDI Learn for hands-on control

MIDI 2.0 done natively, classic FM done faithfully.

The FM engine is built on Dexed / msfa (Apache License 2.0).

M2DX is an independent product and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Yamaha Corporation. DX7 and Yamaha are trademarks of Yamaha Corporation.

iOS 18 or later.

## Key features

- 6-operator, 32-algorithm FM synthesis
- On-screen keyboard with velocity control
- DX7-format .syx bank import
- 6-stage FX chain
- AUv3 plug-in support
- Native MIDI 2.0 support

## Recent user reviews (2 of 2)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/m2dx/id6763840208/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Beautiful FM

*2026-07-29*

I’ve never reviewed an app before, but I am so pleased by this app’s responsiveness and sound that I actually went in to the App Store to write this. I have a Volca FM that I know very well and this app was easy to understand with that knowledge. I’ve played with a dozen (free) synth apps and this is the first that actually impressed me.

### 3/5 — Super appli

*2026-07-04*

Super appli,

Je me demande juste pourquoi le modèle Mark1 sonne-t-il nettement moins brillant qu’avant ?
Aussi, ce serait bien qu’on puisse utiliser ses sons importés/personnalisés sur GarageBand…

## Frequently asked questions about M2DX

### What is M2DX?

M2DX is a 6-operator, 32-algorithm FM synthesizer for iPhone, built in Swift. It allows you to create sounds using its own presets or by importing classic DX7-format .syx banks.

### Does M2DX require any hardware to use?

No, M2DX includes a built-in on-screen keyboard with velocity and octave control, so you can start making music immediately without any external hardware or MIDI controller.

### Can I use my own DX7 patches with M2DX?

Yes, M2DX is compatible with the classic DX7 patch format. You can import your own DX7-format .syx banks and play them alongside M2DX's original presets.

### What audio effects are available in M2DX?

M2DX features a 6-stage FX chain that includes EQ, Drive, Chorus, Reverb, Stereo, and Maximizer, allowing you to further shape your synthesized sounds.

### Can M2DX be used as a plug-in?

Yes, M2DX supports AUv3 plug-in format, enabling you to use it within compatible hosts on your iOS device for more integrated music production workflows.

### Does M2DX support MIDI 2.0?

Yes, M2DX offers native MIDI 2.0 support, including UMP with 16-bit velocity and 32-bit controllers, as well as MIDI-CI Property Exchange for patch name display on compatible controllers.

### What is the update frequency for M2DX?

M2DX was last updated on July 4, 2026, indicating a recent update. The app is designed for iOS 18 or later, suggesting ongoing development and support for newer operating system versions.

### What is the user sentiment for M2DX?

Based on the available data, M2DX has a rating of 3.7 stars from 3 ratings. This suggests a generally positive reception, though with a small sample size.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.7.3 — 2026-07-13

This update focuses on stability and reliability — improvements to MIDI input handling, external AUv3 effect hosting, M2DX Pro purchase reliability, and startup audio robustness. No new features, just a more solid M2DX.

### 1.7.2 — 2026-07-11

AUv3 external effect hosting and Firebase telemetry fix.

### 1.7.1 — 2026-07-04

Brand-new app icon: a vintage FM hardware panel with a dot-matrix display — including dark and tinted variants for iOS 18.

### 1.7.0 — 2026-07-03

This update introduces M2DX Pro — a one-time unlock for the new layering and sound-engine features. Everything already in the app stays free.

• TX816 LAYER: stack up to 8 patches per note, with save & recall of layered stacks (Pro).
• FM Engine choice: Modern or Mark I, with Mark I depth control ÷2–÷16 (Pro).
• Vintage 12-bit DAC emulation (Pro).
• Voice Stack: up to 16× unison (Pro).
• Restore Purchases and the M2DX Pro section live in Settings.

### 1.5.5 — 2026-06-24

• Fixed: a preset's sound could subtly change just from opening Operator pages — viewing operators no longer alters the voice.
• Fixed: editor presets could sound thin in some AUv3 hosts.
• Fixed: a rare crash and stability issues around the on-screen keyboard and AUv3 hosting.
• Improved: Operator Ratio now snaps to the classic FM ratios (1.00, 2.00, 3.00...), making precise FM programming much easier.
• Various reliability improvements.

Thanks to everyone sending feedback — keep it coming!

## More apps by Hakaru Hirose

- [simpleMIDIController](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simplemidicontroller/id6757380884)
- [1Take](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/1take/id6757945099)
- [SonicDNACollector](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sonicdnacollector/id6758269736)
- [GitInflow](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gitinflow/id6760921077)
- [PeerClock Metronome](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/peerclock-metronome/id6762972307)
- [TenSync](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tensync/id6763708226)

All apps by Hakaru Hirose: https://appshunter.io/developer/1866507020

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-02.*