Ryouta Kira KQ Tixie is a new FM Synthesizer for iOS and macOS that emulates the sound and behavior of 4-operator FM synths from the past.
Classic Yamaha DX-7 FM synthesizer sounds are always useful. I don’t use the original large, heavy hardware for that. I prefer to use more convenient solutions, such as the Ryouta Kira KQ Dixie 26 app, which is an authentic, great-sounding emulation of the DX-7.
Ryouta Kira has just released KQ Tixie, a new FM Synthesizer app that focuses on 4-operated FM synths from the past.
Ryouta Kira KQ Tixie
KQ Tixie is a new multi-timbral 4-operator FM Synthesizer for iOS and macOS. Ryouta Kira’s KQ Tixie does not emulate a specific 4OP FM synth but rather offers a platform for several.
He describes it as a 4-operator FM Synthesizer that faithfully recreates the sound and behavior of classic FM instruments from the 1980s.
In the deeper settings, for example, you can switch between different modes, which lets you access the characteristics of various FM synths.
DX gives you the parameters of the Yamaha DX21, FB01 of the Yamaha FB-01, or Raw, which lets you specify the internally calculated values almost directly. You also have dedicated hardware machine presets or chip frequencies.
KQ Tixie is 8x multitimbral, so you can layer up to 8 sounds simultaneously. A dedicated multi-timbral page gives you control over each layer with various settings: patch, volume, polyphony, FX, and more
The app gives you full control over each operator with envelope visualization. There are also sections on algorithms and patches. Everything is laid out so that it’s easy to edit and design new patches from scratch.
If you don’t want to create new sounds, you can import the original SysEx data from supported hardware synths to reproduce their sounds accurately, says the developer.
You can import patches from these instruments: Yamaha DX21 / DX27 / DX100 / DX11 / V50 / TX81Z / WT11 / FB-01 / YS200 / YS100 / B200 / DS55 / TQ5- Korg DS-8 / 707
Modern Features
Ryouta Kira has also added new features to the KQ Tixie app. To refine your sounds, it offers 30+ built-in effects inspired by the Yamaha V50 and Korg DS-8, including reverb, distortion, delay, chorus, and more.
The focus is on performance in the KQ Tixie and features like MPE support (pitch-bend, aftertouch, and MIDI CC#74) and real-time performance controls, aka macro controls, allow you to play the patches expressively.
Thanks to AUv3 plugin support on iOS and macOS, users can run the app in multiple instances within a DAW that supports AUv3. iCloud support for patch transfer is also on board.
Neat, you can transfer your KQ Tixie not only to the macOS version but also to hardware synths, including the DX-series and the FB-01.
First Impression
As I mentioned earlier, I’m a big fan of the KQ Dixie 26 app. The new KQ Tixie looks very exciting, and as an owner of the Yamaha FB-01, I’m looking forward to using this.
It’s great to see that the developer has further improved the user interface compared to the Dixie app. I’m sure it’s easier to use than the interface of my FB-01 and its half-broken buttons.
Ryouta Kira KQ Tixie is available now for an introductory price of $5,99/6,99€ instead of $8,99/9,99€ until July 7th, 2026. It runs as a standalone and AUv3 plugin on iOS (iPhone/iPad) and macOS (native Apple Silicon)
More information here: Ryouta Kira / Apple App Store
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