Comparison

M2DX vs DX

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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.

About

DX

Create and manipulate 80s FM synth sounds with a tactile hardware-style interface. Explore curated presets, use a Kaoss Physics-style filter pad for expressive control, and add essential effects. Ideal for music production or on-the-go sound design.

Highlights
  • Hardware-style UI
  • Curated presets
  • Kaoss Physics-style filter pad
  • Essential FX (Chorus, Delay, Reverb)
  • Mini-keyboard
  • Dual-language support
Features
Read full description

◆ Key Features Tactile Hardware-Style UI: Interactive visual feedback for operators, envelopes, and algorithms. Curated Presets: Essential sounds including E. PIANO, SYNTH BASS, and BRASS. Kaoss Physics-style Filter Pad: Smooth X/Y control over Cutoff and Resonance. Essential FX: PITCH/MOD, and spatial effects including CHORUS, DELAY, and REVERB. Comfortable Playability: Sleek mini-keyboard with adjustable key range. Dual-Language Support: Fully localized in English and Japanese. Perfect as a secondary sound source for music production, or for sound design on the go. Experience the iconic digital synth sounds of yesteryear right now on your iPhone. Note: This app is a sample-based vintage synthesizer (not a real-time 6-operator FM synthesis engine). We recommend playing this app on an actual physical device (not via simulator).

Screenshots

M2DX4 screens
DX1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: M2DX at 4.0 against DX's 2.0. M2DX also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 2 weeks) and review sentiment (25% vs 0%). DX's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On price, ratings volume, ads and monetization model 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. M2DX sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. DX asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

M2DX holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 2.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 2 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 25% of M2DX's written reviews are positive against 0% of DX's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

M2DX ships an update every 2 days, DX every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on November 5, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
M2DX versus DX: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterM2DXDX
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (4 ratings) — better2.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews25.0% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings4 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS18.0 — better26.5
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB86 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHakaru HiroseKouki Yoshimoto

Customer experience

M2DX

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive25.0%
Neutral75.0%
Negative0.0%

DX

All ratings2 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral33.3%
Negative66.7%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

M2DX

One-time1
  • M2DX Pro Unlock$9.99
None

DX

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is M2DX free?
M2DX is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is DX free?
DX is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, M2DX or DX?
M2DX is rated higher. M2DX averages 4.0 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while DX averages 2.0 from 2 ratings.
Do M2DX or DX have ads?
Neither M2DX nor DX shows ads.
Which is updated more often, M2DX or DX?
M2DX ships an update every 2 days, and DX every 2 weeks. Most recently, M2DX was updated on November 5, 2026 and DX on November 5, 2026.

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