DefleMask vs Dexed
DefleMask
deflemask.comDexed
asb2m10.github.ioSide by side
| Figure | DefleMask | Dexed |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 4 | 2 |
| Spec score · Software Synthesizers | 9.3 (#1) | 8.8 (#3) |
| Documentation | The maker supplies a downloadable manual covering tracker operation and supported systems. | The project states that minimal documentation is available on its Dexed Wiki. |
| Limit: learning curve | Steam reviewers say the learning curve is steep and recommend reading the manual. | An independent review says FM synthesis and Dexed's parameter-heavy interface are intimidating for beginners. |
| Rating on Apple App Store | 4.5 out of 5 from 42 ratings | 3.3 out of 5 from 40 ratings |
| What it does | DefleMask is a cross-platform tracker for composing chiptune music for classic consoles and computers. | Dexed is a multi-platform FM synthesizer plugin modeled closely on Yamaha's DX7 and also works as a MIDI cartridge librarian. |
Plans
DefleMask
- DefleMask LegacyFree
- DefleMask Mobile$6.99, paid once
- DefleMask$14.99, paid once
- DefleMask$14.99, paid once
In their own words
DefleMask
DefleMask is a chiptune music tracker for composing video-game music for older consoles and computers. It generates sound in real time from emulators and lists support for Genesis, SMS with FM Sound Unit, Game Boy, PCE, NES with VRC7 and FDS, C64, Arcade, Neo Geo, and MSX2. Pattern orders can be set independently for each channel, and editors cover FM, macros, wavetables, and sample instruments. The tracker supports real-time MIDI input recording and chord input, with exports to VGM, WAV, ROM, and videos with visualizations. PareidoLink rooms enable live multiplayer music collaboration. It runs on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux; Touch Mode is intended for portable devices and touchscreen computers. A file can contain at most 144 samples across 12 banks. DefleMask costs $14.99, paid once, with free updates forever. DefleMask Legacy is a free 32-bit demo and is unsupported.
Dexed
Dexed is a free synth plugin and standalone app modeled on the Yamaha DX7. It runs on Linux, macOS and Windows, with VST, AU and LV2 plugin formats. Its sound engine follows the original DX7’s characteristics and includes Modern, Mark I and OPL Series engine types. Dexed also serves as a MIDI cartridge librarian for the DX7: it can load and save DX7/TX7 SysEx programs, save an individual program to a separate SysEx file, and exchange DX7 SysEx messages, including controller change. A single panel exposes 144 DAW-automatable DX7 parameters, and each operator has a real-time VU meter. Microtuning and MPE support were contributed by the Surge Synthesizer Team. Dexed is free software under GPL v3, at free. The project says documentation is minimal and cautions against expecting a perfect DX7 clone. Release 1.0.1 fixes scaling issues and rebuilds the Linux binary for older glibc versions.