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Key modes

The Key Mode decides what MIDI notes do at the instrument level — before they reach any individual voice. VXN1 always carries two layers (Upper and Lower); the key mode is the routing rule that maps incoming notes to those layers.

There are three modes. Key Mode is not automatable — it’s stored as plugin state but cannot be moved with DAW automation lanes (ADR 0003).

Whole

16-voice mono-timbral. Both layers play the same patch.

  • Every note round-robins through both layers’ 8 channels — effective polyphony is 16.
  • Layer A holds the patch values. Layer B silently follows Layer A.
  • The Layer switcher is fixed to Upper; Lower is not editable.

Use Whole for normal full-polyphony performance with a single patch.

Dual

8 + 8 layered stereo. Both layers play the same notes simultaneously but with different patches.

  • Every note triggers a voice on each layer.
  • Layer A reads Upper params; Layer B reads Lower params.
  • Both layers are editable via the Layer switcher.
  • Use Layer Level on each layer’s Voice & assign panel to balance.

Classic uses: detuned doubles (slight tuning offset between layers), pad + bell layering, dark filter sound under a bright transient.

Split

8 + 8 split at a MIDI note. Each layer plays only certain notes.

  • Notes below the split point trigger Lower; notes at-or-above trigger Upper.
  • Both layers are independently editable.
  • The split point is a separate plugin-state field (not a parameter), set via the Split Point control in the Key Mode panel. Default: MIDI note 60 (C4).
  • Split point is non-automatable (ADR 0003).

Use Split for bass-and-lead splits, layered keyboard performances, or any time the left hand needs a different patch from the right.

Seed-on-entry

When you switch from Whole to Dual or Split, Layer B (Lower) is empty — it’s been silently following Upper. The engine copies Upper → Lower on the transition so both layers start with the same patch, then they diverge as you edit Lower.

Switching from Dual or Split to Whole drops Lower silently — no merge, no destructive prompt. Switching back to Dual/Split restores the seed-on-entry copy from Upper, not the previous Lower state. If you have a Lower patch you want to keep, save it as a Patch preset before switching to Whole.

What’s per-layer vs. global

The complete list of what each layer holds independently:

  • Both oscillators (waves, tuning, levels, PW).
  • Sub level, noise level + colour.
  • Cross-Mod Type and Amount.
  • Filter (HPF, VCF, mode, slope, key track).
  • Both envelopes.
  • LFO 1 (per-voice, layer-scoped).
  • All modulation routes (pitch, PWM, filter mod, cross-mod sweep, mod-wheel routes).
  • Amp Gate, Amp LFO route.
  • Voice & assign panel (Assign Mode, Legato, Unison Detune, Glide Time, Layer Level, Spread).

What’s global (shared by both layers, single value):

  • Master Tune, Master Volume, Master Drift, Limiter, Oversample.
  • LFO 2 (Shape, Rate, Sync).
  • All effects: Phaser, Chorus, Delay, Reverb.
  • Key Mode itself and the Split Point.
  • Performance control values (mod wheel position, pitch wheel position) — the routings of those controllers are per-layer.

Performance controls and key modes

MIDI controllers (mod wheel, pitch wheel, sustain, velocity) reach both layers in all modes. Each layer interprets them according to its own routing — so in Dual mode, Upper might use the mod wheel for filter cutoff while Lower uses it for PWM, both at the same time.