KQ Tixie

Warning: KQ Tixie is not compatible with DX7.

KQ Tixie is a 4-operator FM synthesizer for iPhone and iPad that faithfully recreates the sound and behavior of classic FM instruments from the 1980s.
Experience the iconic character of vintage FM synthesis with a modern touch interface, MPE support, and AUv3 compatibility.
FM synthesis generates sound mathematically rather than playing back recorded samples. Its distinctive character is heard in shimmering bells, electric pianos, basses, leads, and many of the signature sounds that defined the 1980s.

KQ Tixie Screenshots

Manual is here.

VST 3 Wrapper for Mac is here.

Features

• Faithful recreation of classic 4-operator FM synthesizers from the 1980s
• Import SysEx data from supported hardware synthesizers and reproduce their sounds accurately
• Includes thousands of patches
• User-friendly sound editor designed for efficient patch creation and editing
• Layer up to 8 sounds simultaneously
• Supports MPE (Pitch-bend, Aftertouch, and MIDI CC#74)
• Real-time performance controls for expressive sound shaping
• Built-in effects inspired by the Yamaha V50 and Korg DS-8
• AUv3 Instrument support
• iCloud support
• Patches edited in KQ Tixie can be transferred to compatible DX-series synthesizers (excluding the DX7 and DX9), earlier EOS-series synthesizers, and the FB-01.

Choose KQ Tixie if you want:

• The sound of Yamaha DX100, TX81Z, V50, FB-01.
• 4-operator FM synthesis with all eight operator waveforms.
• Built-in effects inspired by the Yamaha V50 and Korg DS-8.
• Compatibility with SysEx data from supported hardware synthesizers.

Compatible synthesizers include

• Yamaha FB-01
• Yamaha DX21 / DX27 / DX100 / DX11 / V50 / TX81Z / WT11
• Yamaha EOS YS200 / YS100 / B200 / DS55 / TQ5
• Korg DS-8 / 707

Names of hardware synthesizers and manufacturers mentioned in this description are trademarks of their respective owners. The developer of this app is independent of those companies.
This app and its accompanying description include AI-generated text.

Bug Notice

Version 1.0 … 1.1.9

Users could not upload data into iCloud on Mac. This issue was fixed in the version 1.2.

Version 1.0 … 1.1.5

Please do not import performances received via MIDI in these version. This feature does not work. Doing so may cause patches in folders with the same name to be lost. This issue was fixed in the version 1.1.6.

Version History

The date is in Japan Standard Time (UTC+9).

Version 1.2.1 (2026-07-16)

New Features:

• Added the ability to control velocity by the vertical position where a key is pressed on the software keyboard. To use this feature, turn Motion Sensor off in Settings.

Version 1.2 (2026-07-14)

New features:

• Added a velocity slider to the software keyboard.

Bug fixes:

• Fixed an iCloud-related issue on Mac.
• Fixed Gate Reverb / Reverse Gate.

Changes:

• Adjusted the response to Note On and Note Off messages.
• Adjusted effect balance.

Version 1.1.9 (2026-07-09)

• Fixed an issue where users could not select a LFO waveform in FB-01 mode.
• Fixed some parameter issues.
• Supports VST3 Wrapper and added a link to it.
• Other fixes.

Version 1.1.8 (2026-07-06)

• Improved behaviors of LFO.
• Added a “Shared LFO” setting.
• Changed behaviors in mono mode.

Previous:
The note was turned off even when another-note key is not in range.

New:
The note is kept when the another-note key is not in range.

Version 1.1.7 (2026-07-03)

• Improved sustain pedal behavior.
• Added the ability to specify the polyphony in Single mode.
• Other fixes.

Version 1.1.6 (2026-07-02)

• Fixed an issue where importing performances received via MIDI could cause patches in folders with the same name to be lost.
  MIDI performance import now works correctly.
• Changed some parameters for Delay.
• Fixed an issue that prevented some parameters from working.
• Fixed an issue that prevented from saving tags in AUv3.
• Fixed an issue that made the status initialized when “Poly” is above 32.
• Other fixes.

Version 1.1.5 (2026-06-28)

• Fixed an issue that some EOS patches was treated as error.
• Improved EOS sysex importing.

Version 1.1.4 (2026-06-26)

• Fixed an issue where the audio engine would stop after 30 minutes.
• Added a stop timer setting.

Version 1.1.3 (2026-06-26)

Fixed frequency ratios. The prior versions have wrong values.

Version 1.1.2 (2026-06-25)

• Fixed some crashes.
• Other fixes.

Version 1.1.1 (2026-06-24)

• Fixed an issue that made the sound muted when the engine is reloaded.
• Fixed a color issue.
• Other fixes.

Version 1.1 (2026-06-20)

Improved MPE functions. (Volume Control has changed.)
Popover screens have changed.
Replaced the Audio Unit with a “Safe” unit. The previous one has been renamed “ExParam”.
In the safe unit, some parameters are omitted.
Other fixes.

Version 1.0 (2026-06-19)

The initial version.