DXi FM synthesizer vs M2DX
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
DXi FM synthesizer
Create unique sounds and music with this FM synthesizer app inspired by 80s hardware. Explore a variety of parameters to craft special tones and effects, and even record your creations. Includes a bonus 16-step loop sequencer for added musical exploration.
- 4 operator FM synthesis
- 8 algorithms
- Adjustable operator parameters
- Master LPF and Delay effects
- 16-step loop sequencer
- Audio recording and export
- MIDI keyboard support
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DXi is a FM synthesizer application inspired by 80's most popular FM synthesizer. You will enjoy creating sounds as well as playing music with this application. FM synthesizer is still popular among many people by its unique tone. We carefully selected parameters from original synthesizer so you will be enjoy editing tone with them easily. You need to know some technique to tweak the tone, but you will be able to get DXi's special tone and effects while having some fun! Creating sound effects is another idea to enjoy DXi. We loaded 16 step loop sequencer as a bonus feature! If you remember the days of FM synthesizers, try creating the tone you remember from them. If you have no experience with any FM synthesizer, we are sure you will be enjoying the unique tone world! * 4 operators FM synthesizer * Anti-ailiased oscillator * 8 algorithms * Envelope, frequency (Ratio or Fixed), waveform (12 types) can be set each operators. * Feedback control on operator number 4. * 2 master effects (LPF with Resonance and Delay) * Unison mode * Spectrum and oscilloscope view * Import/Export function to save the tone you created. (URL schema text string format) * Audio recording function. And you can transport recorded audio file, .wav, onto Mac/PC via iTunes file sharing. * Clipboard audio sharing support. You can export recorded waveform to other application via clipboard. It's compatible with Intua's clipboard. * Supports external MIDI keyboards via Core MIDI USB adapters. * Supports background audio and virtual MIDI input port. * Supports Audiobus.
M2DX
Create music with a powerful 6-operator FM synthesizer. Explore hand-crafted presets or import classic DX7 banks. Use the on-screen keyboard or connect MIDI controllers for a versatile music-making experience.
- 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
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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.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: DXi FM synthesizer at 88% against M2DX's 25%. DXi FM synthesizer also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and rating (4.3 vs 4.0). M2DX's advantage is price (Free vs $1.99) and update cadence (every 2 days vs every 2 months). On ads there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
M2DX is free to download; DXi FM synthesizer costs $1.99 up front. M2DX sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. DXi FM synthesizer asks for nothing beyond the download.
DXi FM synthesizer holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 19 and 4 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 88% of DXi FM synthesizer's written reviews are positive against 25% of M2DX's.
DXi FM synthesizer ships an update every 2 months, M2DX every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | DXi FM synthesizer | M2DX |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.3 (19 ratings) — better | 4.0 (4 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 87.6% of reviews — better | 25.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 19 — better | 4 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 8.4 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 16 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Takashi Mizuhiki | Hakaru Hirose |
Customer experience
DXi FM synthesizer
M2DX
In-app purchases
DXi FM synthesizer
No in-app purchases
M2DX
- M2DX Pro Unlock$9.99
Questions
Is DXi FM synthesizer free?
Is M2DX free?
Which has better reviews, DXi FM synthesizer or M2DX?
Do DXi FM synthesizer or M2DX have ads?
Which is updated more often, DXi FM synthesizer or M2DX?
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