https://github.com/gpasquero/vx7
VX7 — Open-source Yamaha DX7 emulator in Python. 6-operator FM synthesis, 32 factory presets, real-time audio, MIDI support, tkinter GUI.
https://github.com/gpasquero/vx7
audio digital-audio dx7 emulator fm-synthesis midi music music-production open-source python sound-synthesis synthesizer tkinter virtual-instrument yamaha
Last synced: 4 months ago
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VX7 — Open-source Yamaha DX7 emulator in Python. 6-operator FM synthesis, 32 factory presets, real-time audio, MIDI support, tkinter GUI.
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/gpasquero/vx7
- Owner: gpasquero
- License: mit
- Created: 2026-02-16T00:56:03.000Z (4 months ago)
- Default Branch: main
- Last Pushed: 2026-02-16T14:46:31.000Z (4 months ago)
- Last Synced: 2026-02-16T22:28:56.784Z (4 months ago)
- Topics: audio, digital-audio, dx7, emulator, fm-synthesis, midi, music, music-production, open-source, python, sound-synthesis, synthesizer, tkinter, virtual-instrument, yamaha
- Language: Python
- Size: 60.5 KB
- Stars: 3
- Watchers: 0
- Forks: 0
- Open Issues: 0
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
- License: LICENSE
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README
# VX7 - Virtual DX7 Synthesizer
A Python GUI application that emulates the legendary **Yamaha DX7** FM synthesizer, with authentic aesthetics, 6-operator FM synthesis, original factory presets, and optional MIDI support.
## Features
- **6-Operator FM Synthesis** — Full implementation of the DX7's FM engine with all 32 algorithms
- **32 Factory Presets** — Original ROM1A bank: BRASS, STRINGS, PIANO, E.PIANO, ORGAN, BELLS, and more
- **Authentic DX7 GUI** — Dark brown panel, green LCD display, membrane-style buttons, algorithm diagram
- **16-Voice Polyphony** — With voice stealing, just like the original hardware
- **DX7 Envelopes** — 4-rate/4-level envelope generators per operator with accurate rate-to-time curves
- **LFO** — 6 waveforms (Triangle, Saw Down, Saw Up, Square, Sine, Sample & Hold)
- **Optional MIDI Support** — Auto-detects MIDI devices, fully configurable, works without MIDI
- **Computer Keyboard** — Play notes with your QWERTY keyboard (two octaves mapped)
- **On-Screen Keyboard** — 4-octave clickable piano (C2-C6)
- **Real-Time Audio** — Low-latency output (~5.8ms) via PortAudio
## Requirements
- Python 3.10+ with Tkinter (Tk 8.6+)
- macOS, Linux, or Windows
## Installation
```bash
# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/gpasquero/vx7.git
cd vx7
# Install dependencies
pip install -r requirements.txt
```
### macOS (with Homebrew)
```bash
brew install python-tk@3.12
/opt/homebrew/bin/python3.12 -m pip install --break-system-packages numpy sounddevice python-rtmidi
```
## Usage
```bash
python main.py
```
Or on macOS with Homebrew Python:
```bash
/opt/homebrew/bin/python3.12 main.py
```
### Keyboard Mapping
| Keys | Notes |
|------|-------|
| `Z S X D C V G B H N J M` | C3 to B3 (lower octave) |
| `Q 2 W 3 E R 5 T 6 Y 7 U` | C4 to B4 (upper octave) |
| `Up / Down arrows` | Previous / Next preset |
| `Escape` | Quit |
### MIDI
MIDI input is optional. If a MIDI controller is connected, VX7 auto-detects it on startup. If `python-rtmidi` is not installed, the app runs normally with the on-screen and computer keyboards.
## Project Structure
```
vx7/
├── main.py # Entry point + controller
├── requirements.txt # Dependencies
├── engine/
│ ├── envelope.py # DX7 4-rate/4-level envelope generator
│ ├── operator.py # FM operator with KLS, velocity scaling
│ ├── algorithm.py # All 32 DX7 algorithms + rendering
│ ├── lfo.py # LFO with 6 waveforms
│ ├── voice.py # Single voice (6 ops + LFO + algorithm)
│ └── synth.py # 16-voice polyphonic synthesizer
├── presets/
│ └── factory.py # 32 ROM1A factory presets
├── gui/
│ ├── styles.py # Colors, fonts, dimensions
│ ├── display.py # LCD display emulation (green glow + scanlines)
│ ├── panel.py # DX7-style control panel
│ └── app.py # Main application window
├── audio/
│ └── output.py # Real-time audio output (sounddevice)
└── midi/
└── handler.py # Optional MIDI input handler
```
## Factory Presets (ROM1A)
| # | Name | # | Name | # | Name | # | Name |
|---|------|---|------|---|------|---|------|
| 1 | BRASS 1 | 9 | PIANO 2 | 17 | MARIMBA | 25 | PIPES |
| 2 | BRASS 2 | 10 | PIANO 3 | 18 | KOTO | 26 | HARP 1 |
| 3 | BRASS 3 | 11 | E.PIANO 1 | 19 | FLUTE 1 | 27 | GUITAR 1 |
| 4 | STRINGS 1 | 12 | E.PIANO 2 | 20 | FLUTE 2 | 28 | SYN-LEAD |
| 5 | STRINGS 2 | 13 | E.PIANO 3 | 21 | OBOE | 29 | BASS 1 |
| 6 | STRINGS 3 | 14 | HARPSICH | 22 | TRUMPET | 30 | BASS 2 |
| 7 | ORCHSTRA | 15 | CLAV 1 | 23 | ORGAN 1 | 31 | TUB BELL |
| 8 | PIANO 1 | 16 | VIBE | 24 | ORGAN 2 | 32 | BELLS |
## Status
This project is in **beta**. Known issues:
- GUI layout has overlapping elements in some sections (work in progress)
- Preset parameters are approximations of the original DX7 SysEx data
- Some algorithms may need fine-tuning for accuracy
## License
MIT License
## Acknowledgments
Inspired by the Yamaha DX7 (1983), one of the most influential synthesizers ever made.