Dexed vs Repro

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.

Repro is a synthesizer plug-in containing Repro-1 and Repro-5 in one product and installer. Repro-1 models a monophonic analogue keyboard and can step-record two patterns of up to 32 notes each. Its five rearrangeable effects include a wavefolder, delay, EQ/resonator, reverb and sonic conditioner. Repro-5 supports up to eight-voice polyphony or unison, with optional glide, and includes more than 950 factory presets and a polyphonic distortion unit with four modes, including a bit crusher. The product runs on Linux, macOS and Windows, but is not standalone and requires host software; it supports nearly all DAWs. The listed plug-in formats include CLAP, AUv2, VST3 and AAX on macOS, and VST3, CLAP and AAX on Windows. Repro is NKS-ready and compatible with Maschine and Komplete Kontrol hardware. The listed Repro plan costs €149 as a one-time purchase, and a free trial is available; its demo emits a crackling sound. Linux builds are beta and receive less support than macOS and Windows versions.