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Oxe FM Synth

An open source frequency modulation synthesizer plugin for Windows, macOS and Linux.

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Oxe FM Synth interface running with 8 operators, envelopes, filters, and effect rack. (Click to zoom)
Audio Demos

Listen below to some of the many tracks composed using only Oxe FM Synth patches from the contest One Synth Challenge edition 81:

Plugin Standards

Embracing the CLAP Standard

Oxe FM Synth prioritizes CLAP (CLever Audio Plug-in), the modern, open, and non-proprietary audio plugin standard, while offering VST3 for full host compatibility.

Prioritized Standard

CLAP Plugin

CLAP is completely open, free, and developed collaboratively by the audio community. It resolves decades of licensing constraints, providing a truly open foundation for musicians and developers.

  • Sample-accurate automation: Parameter changes and note events are tightly coupled with the audio stream.
  • Modern multi-threading: Seamless thread-pool collaboration between plugin and host for superior CPU distribution.
  • Built by default: Prioritized out-of-the-box (`make clap` or simply `make`).
  • No proprietary licensing: Permissive MIT license — free from closed vendor agreements.
Broad Compatibility

VST3 Plugin

For digital audio workstations and environments that require Steinberg's VST3 standard, Oxe FM Synth also provides an optional, fully native VST3 implementation.

  • Universal DAW support: Compatible with Cubase, Studio One, Ableton Live, FL Studio, REAPER, and more.
  • Cross-platform: Available across Windows, macOS, and Linux.
  • Easy compilation: Built effortlessly on demand with `make vst3`.
  • Standard paths: Automatically installed to default system VST3 directories via `make install-vst3`.
Quick Start

Plugin Installation Paths

Drop the downloaded plugin bundle into your system's standard audio plugin directory:

macOS Plugin Directories 
# CLAP (Recommended)
~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/oxefmsynth.clap

# VST3
~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/oxefmsynth.vst3
Linux Plugin Directories 
# CLAP (Recommended)
~/.clap/oxefmsynth.clap

# VST3
~/.vst3/oxefmsynth.vst3
Windows Plugin Directories 
# CLAP (Recommended)
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs\Common\CLAP\oxefmsynth.clap

# VST3
C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3\oxefmsynth.vst3
Technical Data

Synth Specifications

Architecture 8-Operator Frequency Modulation (FM) Synthesizer
Multitimbral 16 MIDI channels
Operators 6 Oscillators, 1 Noise Generator / Limiter, 1 Filter, all with envelopes
Modulation Frequency modulation half-matrix with self-modulation
Polyphony Up to 64 simultaneous voices
Effects Global Reverb and Delay sends per channel
Soundbanks Embedded soundbanks (Bank 0 by Annabelle, Bank 1 by Summa & Teksonic)
Plugin Formats CLAP (Recommended), VST3
Supported Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux
License GNU General Public License (GPL)