diff --git a/nisps/modes/base.hpp b/nisps/modes/base.hpp
index 9053bfd..d5702a1 100644
--- a/nisps/modes/base.hpp
+++ b/nisps/modes/base.hpp
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ class ModeBase {
         // Run an inference at default inputs so engine has params on first
         // process() call, even if no input has been touched.
         for (std::size_t i = 0u; i < NInputs; ++i) {
-            ml_.set_input(i, input_channels_[i]);
+            ml_.set_input(i, effective_input(i));
         }
         ml_.process();
         if constexpr (kRouteOutputsToEngine) {
@@ -160,13 +160,42 @@ class ModeBase {
         input_dirty_ = true;
     }
 
+    // ---- Input neutralization (single/double controller toggle) ----
+    //
+    // A pinned channel feeds `pin_value_` (neutral, default 0.5) to the MLP
+    // instead of its live value, without rebuilding/resizing the network.
+    // Glue toggles which channels are pinned (e.g. single-joystick mode pins
+    // the second 2D controller's two channels). The stored live value is left
+    // untouched, so unpinning resumes from the controller's current position.
+    NISPS_FORCE_INLINE void set_input_pinned(std::size_t idx, bool pinned) noexcept {
+        if (idx >= NInputs) return;
+        input_pinned_[idx] = pinned;
+        input_dirty_ = true;
+    }
+    NISPS_FORCE_INLINE bool is_input_pinned(std::size_t idx) const noexcept {
+        return idx < NInputs && input_pinned_[idx];
+    }
+    NISPS_FORCE_INLINE void set_pin_value(float v) noexcept {
+        if (v < 0.f) v = 0.f;
+        else if (v > 1.f) v = 1.f;
+        pin_value_ = v;
+        input_dirty_ = true;
+    }
+    float pin_value() const noexcept { return pin_value_; }
+
+    // Effective value fed to the MLP for channel i (pin override applied).
+    NISPS_FORCE_INLINE float effective_input(std::size_t i) const noexcept {
+        return input_pinned_[i] ? pin_value_ : input_channels_[i];
+    }
+
     NISPS_HOT void tick_control() noexcept {
         if constexpr (requires(Derived& d) { d.on_pre_inference(); }) {
             static_cast<Derived&>(*this).on_pre_inference();
         }
-        // Forward (possibly Derived-mutated) channels into the MLP.
+        // Forward (possibly Derived-mutated) channels into the MLP, applying
+        // the per-channel pin override.
         for (std::size_t i = 0u; i < NInputs; ++i) {
-            ml_.set_input(i, input_channels_[i]);
+            ml_.set_input(i, effective_input(i));
         }
         ml_.process();
         if constexpr (kRouteOutputsToEngine) {
@@ -235,6 +264,8 @@ class ModeBase {
     EngineT                                          engine_{};
     MLPType                                          ml_;
     std::array<float, NInputs>                       input_channels_{};
+    std::array<bool, NInputs>                        input_pinned_{};   // false => live
+    float                                            pin_value_ = 0.5f; // neutral
     bool                                             input_dirty_ = false;
     std::size_t                                      voice_space_idx_ = 0u;
     RingBuffer<ControlEvent, kModeEventBufferSize>   events_{};
diff --git a/tests/cpp/test_mode_paf_synth.cpp b/tests/cpp/test_mode_paf_synth.cpp
index 737ba2f..9d18662 100644
--- a/tests/cpp/test_mode_paf_synth.cpp
+++ b/tests/cpp/test_mode_paf_synth.cpp
@@ -88,6 +88,62 @@ NISPS_TEST(paf_synth_mode_input_clamping) {
     m.set_input(99u, 0.5f);
 }
 
+NISPS_TEST(paf_synth_mode_pinned_inputs_neutralized) {
+    // Single-joystick mode pins the second 2D controller's channels (2,3).
+    // A pinned channel must feed the neutral pin value (default 0.5) to the
+    // MLP regardless of its live value, and pinning must not resize the model.
+    PAFSynthMode m;
+    m.setup(48000.f);
+    NISPS_EXPECT(m.pin_value() == 0.5f);
+
+    // Reference: channels 2,3 driven live to 0.5 (the neutral value).
+    m.set_input(0, 0.2f);
+    m.set_input(1, 0.8f);
+    m.set_input(2, 0.5f);
+    m.set_input(3, 0.5f);
+    m.tick_control();
+    std::array<float, 33> ref{};
+    {
+        const auto outs = m.ml().outputs();
+        for (std::size_t i = 0u; i < outs.size(); ++i) ref[i] = outs[i];
+    }
+
+    // Pin channels 2,3, then drive them to arbitrary values. Output must match
+    // the reference (they are neutralized to 0.5).
+    m.set_input_pinned(2, true);
+    m.set_input_pinned(3, true);
+    NISPS_EXPECT(m.is_input_pinned(2));
+    m.set_input(2, 0.0f);
+    m.set_input(3, 1.0f);
+    m.tick_control();
+    for (std::size_t i = 0u; i < 33u; ++i) {
+        NISPS_EXPECT(std::fabs(m.ml().outputs()[i] - ref[i]) < 1e-6f);
+    }
+
+    // The active controller (channels 0,1) still affects the output.
+    m.set_input(0, 0.9f);
+    m.tick_control();
+    bool changed = false;
+    for (std::size_t i = 0u; i < 33u; ++i) {
+        if (std::fabs(m.ml().outputs()[i] - ref[i]) > 1e-6f) { changed = true; break; }
+    }
+    NISPS_EXPECT(changed);
+
+    // Unpinning restores sensitivity on channels 2,3.
+    m.set_input_pinned(2, false);
+    m.set_input_pinned(3, false);
+    m.set_input(0, 0.2f);  // restore active channels to the reference pose
+    m.set_input(1, 0.8f);
+    m.set_input(2, 0.0f);
+    m.set_input(3, 1.0f);
+    m.tick_control();
+    bool differs = false;
+    for (std::size_t i = 0u; i < 33u; ++i) {
+        if (std::fabs(m.ml().outputs()[i] - ref[i]) > 1e-6f) { differs = true; break; }
+    }
+    NISPS_EXPECT(differs);
+}
+
 NISPS_TEST(paf_synth_mode_engine_and_ml_accessors) {
     PAFSynthMode m;
     m.setup(48000.f);