> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://standalone-audio.gitbook.io/standalone-audio-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://standalone-audio.gitbook.io/standalone-audio-docs/keys-mode.md).

# Keys Mode

<figure><img src="/files/I9M2LqSk4hTZbZpHkKsH" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Play software instruments alongside your guitar rig. Keys Mode adds a second, parallel chain, a MIDI instrument plus its own effects, that runs at the same time as your guitar signal and shares the same output.

#### Guitar and Keys Chains

Standalone runs two independent chains:

* **Guitar** - your audio input → guitar effects → output
* **Keys** - your MIDI controller → software instrument → keys effects → output

Both play through the same **MASTER** output at once. You don't have to switch back and forth to use them together - switching modes just changes which chain you're editing.

#### Enabling/Disabling Keys Mode

1. Open Settings (⌘,)
2. Go to the Audio tab
3. Enable or Disable **Keys Mode**
4. **Keys Mode is enabled by default**

#### Switching Between Guitar and Keys

* Click the **Guitar / Keys mode toggle switch** to choose which chain you're editing
* The interface picks up a color tint in Keys Mode so you always know which chain is in front
* Your plugin windows stay open across the switch
* Each Mode can be muted by clicking on the icon next to the toggle. If the icon is red, it is muted.
* You can also Mute/Unmute each mode with a key command
  * GUITAR MODE MUTE/UNMUTE: Shift + M
  * KEYS MODE MUTE/UNMUTE: ⌘ + M

#### Loading an Instrument

The first slot in the Keys chain holds your software instrument; the slots after it are effects.

1. Switch to **Keys** mode
2. Click the first slot and choose a software instrument
3. Add effects in the following slots just like the guitar chain (see Working with Plugins)

#### Playing with a MIDI Controller

1. Connect your MIDI controller (see MIDI for setup)
2. Switch to **Keys** mode and play - notes are routed to the loaded instrument
3. Set a specific **Channel** if you want Keys to respond only to certain messages

**Note:** Standalone keeps three independent MIDI lanes - **Controls** (app functions like mute, tuner, looper), **Guitar Mode** (guitar plugin MIDI + guitar preset Program Change), and **Keys Mode** (notes to the instrument + keys Program Change). This lets a guitar footswitch and a keyboard coexist without stepping on each other.

#### Keys Presets

Presets are organized per mode, so your Keys sounds stay separate from your guitar rigs.

* Guitar and Keys presets each have their own section in the preset menu and the menu-bar list
* Each section has its own ★ starred default
* Selecting a preset switches to its chain automatically, so the window shows what loaded
* Changes are saved automatically per mode (if auto-save is enabled in Settings)

**Program Change**

* In **Settings > MIDI**, **Keys Program Change Loads Standalone Presets** controls what a Program Change does in Keys Mode
* **On:** Program Change loads your saved **Keys** presets
* **Off:** the raw Program Change is forwarded straight to the loaded instrument, so it changes the instrument's own patches

#### Muting

| Action      | Key / Control         |
| ----------- | --------------------- |
| Mute Guitar | **M** or speaker icon |
| Mute Keys   | **Shift + M**         |
| Master Mute | Mutes both chains     |

Held notes are flushed when you mute Keys, so nothing rings back when you unmute.

For MIDI control, map **Keys Mute** and **Mute All** in the MIDI mapping panel. The existing **Mute** control stays guitar-only. See MIDI (Beta).

#### Volume

The **MASTER** control sets the final output volume for both chains together. There are no separate per-chain volume faders — balance the instrument's own output level against your guitar tone.

#### Separate Outputs (Optional)

If you want the guitar and keys chains on different physical outputs:

1. Open Settings and find the output routing options
2. Assign the **Guitar**, **Keys**, and **Practice Track** sources to the outputs you want

This is **off by default** and your choice is remembered. See Settings.

#### Looper & Practice Integration

* The **Loop Recorder** captures whichever chain is active, so you can record Keys parts as well as guitar
* You can link a **Keys preset** to a **Practice Track**, the same way guitar presets link - load the track and the linked sound loads with it (see Practice)

#### Tips

* Keys Mode is on by default - if you don't use it, turn it off in Settings to keep the interface focused on guitar
* Set a specific MIDI **Channel** for Keys if your controller also drives other gear
* The tuner and app controls stay available in both Guitar and Keys views